XTERRA Vashon Island Off-Road Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Water was COLD. So cold, I didn't even bother looking for the jelly fish, that I knew were present. My goggles fogged up with 400m to go, and I was relying on the guy in front of me to guide me in. Sucks because I could have easily have passed him.

Spray my lenses with anti-fog stuff.

No problems in T1. I had a little trouble with my camel back, which I only use to carry my tools (I need a seat pack). I went without socks this time, and decided that this is the way to go from here on out.

Seat pack.

I hated the course itself. It was challenging, but I didn't enjoy the ride at all. I wouldn't make it a regular ride. It was very slow because of the pine needles that had littered the trail over the course of years. It seemed like the whole thing was up hill. There was plenty of room to pass throughout the course, so that was good.

Inflate my tires a little more.

I really need to get speed zip laces. I killed a good 30seconds trying to get my running shoes tied. Need to put more baby poweder in the shoes too.

Zips laces on shoes.

I wish I would have run the whole trail prior, because I would have used a different pair of shoes. My Saucony trial shoes are amazing on trail, but once you hit asphalt, they don't perform. I would have used my Nike's for this trail run. There wasn't any terrain that required gripping, so a good road shoe would have been a lot faster.

Different shoes. I also would have pushed a little harder on the second loop to shave off a couple of minutes.

Walked around and ate some of the food.


Water was cold, so my breathing on the swim was labored. I need to get into better climbing shape on the Mt. Bike. I'm great on the down hills and technical, but the climbs kill me.
I think the lack of sleep the night before caught up to me on the run. I'm usually a solid 7 - 7:30 minute pace runner, but I just couldn't get there.
A little more training would have helped.


I give this race a 4 because it is an Xterra, and these are usually smaller races. You don't normally have the large race resources on hand. Every one there is always cool, and just there to challenge themselves and see what they can do. All while beating the next guy. Will definitely do it again, because its race experience, and a lot of fun.