The 16th Gullane Beach Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

The mouthfuls of saltwater, breakers, and general lack of sighting ability (combination of waves and goggles) made my swim a complete disaster. As elegantly said in the book 'How Triathlon Ruined My Life', a piece of litter could have floated around faster than me.

After exiting the water I cramped almost immediately in both quads - I could hardly exit the water, let alone at a run. A few meters up the path to Transition I cramped up and had to squat down to stretch until the cramped settled enough to continue up slowly to transition.

Everything. But specifically, breathe toward the shore (if this helps stop mouthfuls), continue swimming up until the triathlon (overtime at work and lack of available swim facilities made the last swim before the triathlon in June, or about a month ago), and learn to swim straight.

At one point I was about 10 meters left of the group and all on my own.

My quickly and poorly laid out transition made for a bit more thinking than I would have liked. Also, I want to ditch the backpack all-together - I need something ON my bike for my tire-kit.

My legs felt like logs almost immediately - despite a slow swim I was still being passed by cyclists and passing very few. I had another protein bar and water throughout the ride.

I was starting to feel my lack of sleep and nutrition combined with the lack of proper training (longest runs and cycles were 4.5 miles - a trainer for cycling indoors would be a blessing).

More training, sleep, nutrition, and rest - so pretty much everything.

Still using cages so no shoe changing required. Helmet and backpack off, rack my bike and go.

DO NOT UNCLIP MY HELMET UNTIL MY BIKE IS RACKED!

The heavy legs continued from the cycling into my running - I loosened up a bit after a couple miles of the running but was still slower than if I'd prepared well.

After the first lap of the race I was confused as to whether the second lap meant turning right to go up the first hill again or continuing on left then straight for something else - after about 10 seconds I was directed left and NOT up the hill (until after the out and back loop).

I don't think this was so much a lack of running as it was a lack of swimming and cycling that meant those first to legs (and the first 25 miles of cycling getting to the tri) sapped all my energy.

That combined with poor nutrition (lack of vegetables, fruits, and sugars on race day - sadly to save money) kept my body from performing.

Eat lots of food and drink lots of water.


See above / everything...


The race was great - the event delay was due to very choppy water and no fault or lack of organization.

Oh yeah, and wear SUNSCREEN!!!