Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Heavy fog delayed the start by ~30 min, and the swim course was shortened to approximately half a mile. Sighting was still dodgy, but I could usually make out the next buoy, and there were plenty of kayaks shepherding us around. And race management didn't pull the "ha ha swim caps same as buoy color SUCK IT LOOSERS" trick.

I swam in my Sharks trisuit and no wetsuit. The trisuit was comfortable and I didn't feel that it added any drag. The water temperature was great, but I missed the buoyancy of the suit (especially when subsequent waves went blasting past).

Overall, not bad for one of the first open water swims of the season.

Slow and steady.

Again, not bad, considering the lack of training. No mechanical issues other than creaky pedals.

Again, no hurry today.

This was the only part I was really worried about. I hadn't been running more than 5 miles, averaging 10 miles/week (if that), and I hadn't done a single brick since ChesapeakeMan kicked my feet's asses 9 months ago. But again, I was just here to finish, and I took it easy, walking a few times back up the hill. I finished the run a little slower than at my first tri (1:07:14, Griskus Olympic 2006).

2 beers STAT.


Almost nonexistent endurance training for 9 months prior to this race.


After ChesapeakeMan 2010, my endurance ass was kicked proper, and I decided that I needed to go back to the basics. So I took a few months to just dick around: short runs, leisurely swims, and no time on the bike. In February, I began lifting, following the Starting Strength novice program. I worked my way up to a 405# squat by the middle of May, all the while doing one session/week in each tri discipline. Three weeks prior to Griskus, I put weights on hold and picked up the endurance training a bit (2x/week run & bike, 2-3x/week swim). My endurance was low, but my leg strength is unbelievable, and my core is stronger than ever. Forget core workouts, I'm squatting for the rest of my life!!!

I knew that I'd have to take it easy if I wanted to even finish, and still it was tough to rein myself in; first, when the second wave's fast swimmers started blowing past me, and then on some of the climbs that I usually dominate. But it all paid off when I put on the shoes and started "running". I made it to the turnaround and back up the hill before I had to slow to a walk, and then I only walked for a minute. The second loop was easier than the first, and I was able to pick up the pace a bit after turning back onto Middlebury Rd. I could just feel my quads starting to tighten dangerously at the final turnaround, but I managed to run across the line.

Adjusting for a wetsuit and the full swim, I estimate my time would have been 15 minutes longer (given my existing condition), which means that I'm still faster than my first time here.

Overall, still my favorite race, and I'm looking forward to next year.