Heatwave Classic Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

So that whole "Nothing new on race day" rule needs to be changed to.. "Nothing that hasn't been used in at least 1 year on race day" I have a tri top that I haven't worn in about 5 years that I decided to wear on race day. Partly because, If I did happen to crash on the bike I'd want to have it on, but also (for vanity) My farmer tanned harry self creates race photos that are nauseating. I admitted it.. there. Well I decided to cut the two large pockets out of the back because I wasn't going to use them and I figured they'd just slow me down. Well the first 200 yards of the race I felt like I was being held back substantially by this thing. The finisher before me was just over a minute ahead so this decision could have cost me a place. Oh well. I'm over that now.

Not wear the top.

Still putting socks on but this time things went pretty well. The morning was so warm that my little warm up jog managed to get my socks a little wet. This made the rolling them on go really well. I don't feel like I could have gone much faster at all unless I go sockless. I could have run faster in transition but I was trying to stay calm and not get too fired up.

Nothing really.

I just suck on the bike. No way around it. I need to ride much much more if I want to expect anything more out of myself. I'm not even really using the limited time I do have effectively so I can't really complain about this. The MOP bike avg for the Clydes was 19.5. If I ride this (which I should be able to with some more saddle time) My time drops 8:20 and I place 9th. Big difference. This is where I need to spend time. I also have some clip on aero bars (road bike) that I didn't put on for the race because I haven't ridden on them. This will probably help some too.

I figured I would just try and stay comfortable for the whole ride and not push too much. I was hoping for an average between 18 and 19. Didn't quite get there. About 5 miles in my groin started to feel sore and fatigued. I was worried this was going to be a big problem but I don't think it had any real affect on my race. I was most concerned about what it would do to my run. There was a bottle exchange that I passed up because I didn't know it would be there. I may have only taken one bottle on the bike if I knew it would be there but I took two and planned on finishing them both. (one water and one nuun) I had three gels that I ate at about miles 5, 13 and 20. I don't feel like nutrition or hydration were a real issue for me during this race.

Ride more with the clip-ons.

My shoes stayed clipped on the bike (unlike last race). There was a guy standing in the way of my rack space when I got there but I doubt that cost me more than a second or two. No worries.

Can't get much faster here unless I run faster. Nothing.

HOLY CRAP! It got HOT FAST. I knew it was going to be hot but I didn't have any idea it would be this bad. There were three or 4 water stations that we passed twice. so 6 or 8 water stops. It's terrible that I can't remember. I took one gel with me and at it just after the turn around. The first three water stops I drank the gatorade and some of the water and after that it was 2 cups of water. One to drink and one on my head. The first 3/4 of a mile on the run felt REALLY good. I was headed out of Transition on the run and got a high five from my 2.5 year old Son. Best part of the race by far. I had a good turnover and was probably rolling at around 9:15 min miles to start. Maybe a little faster. I felt good and probably ran a little too hard because of it. After the second mile things started to get bad. The heat was oppressive and my legs and motivation started to leave me. I walked the aid stations like usual and then started walking the hills. After the turn around point I was having trouble keeping the running up for more than 1/2 a mile at a time. I didn't really want to be walking but mentally I couldn't get past it. I was hoping for an under 1 hour 10k here but the heat and my lack of running the previous month just didn't give me the option. Also, It turns out that dumping water on your head really puts it in your shoes. I was wearing running shoes with no drainage in them so my socks and feet were sloshing during the last third of the run. That couldn't have helped.

I really should have kept up my running. I ran a 1/2 marathon on April, 30 in 2:07 and change. I thought this was going to allow me to really do well on this run. I may think about buying a pair of shoes that are tri specific to help with the drainage part and maybe consider going sockless with them.

Drank lots of water and walked around. Chatted with the family in the shade for a while. Ate the post race meal.


I raced at 220lbs so loosing some more weight would help me quite a bit I'm sure. I also really just need to ride more (you'll see this in ALL of my race reports) The heat probably didn't help any but everybody ran in the same heat. Maybe the earlier waves and faster racers got a little luckier and didn't spend as much time in the heat. I guess they were just lucky.


This is a great race on, what I think, is a great course. It sold out this year at 500 registered (but it looks like not nearly that many showed up to race) The Ridgeland department of parks and recreation really do a great job when they put on activities like this. I've been involved in a few of them and they always seem to be run well and are very well supported.