Breath of Life Ventura Triathlon - Olympic Course - TriathlonOlympic

OK, can I rant? I know I don't look the part. I know lots of folks overestimate their swim. I used to just move onto the front line and take my place, but lately I've been sort of "meh" about it. I am a little sick of the swim scrum. Oh, I can do it. I am 6'2" 235#, I used to play hole position in water polo. I've had my share of folks trying to dunk me. I guess I am just over it. I'd much rather swim around you than fight you for it.

This was no different. I was a couple rows back, but guys kept walking in front of me, staking their claims. I decided to let it be, and settled on lining up a couple rows back, taking an outside line to the first buoy, which should be clear by then.

Got in the water and started passing fools on the left (it's OK, they got me back). But seriously, even 100 yards in or so, I was passing by a guy from my wave that was almost dog paddling. Seed yourself at the start based on your abilities.

Course was a little funky, but I was happy they changed the course from left hand turns (on the website) to right hand turns, since I breathe right. First loop went quickly, uneventful, actually pretty spread out for a small course. Hit the exit, ran up and across the mat, one strong dolphin back in the water, started sprinting again...

holy shit, this is hard. Had to slow down a bit and get my stroke back. And covneniently, another wave started right before I jumped back in so it was right back in the scrum. You'd think, having swum one full loop I'd have the navigation down, but it was worse the second time around. The sun was clearing the clouds and it was harder to see the buoy. Just followed the flailing arms.

Hit the sand and checked the watch, 20:00. When I see that I think "good swim!" Others said "swim is short!" Total time was 20:18 which, frankly is in line with the one prior Oly I did that didn't have the transition run from hell (Camp Pendleton) included in the swim time.

My swim to bike run up the sand has gotten a bit better. No longer do I end up walking and drooling, trying to get my wetsuit arms off. I have achieved a level of fitness that allows me to shuffle and drool and get my wetsuit arms off.

nothing

Hit T1 and there were a lot of bikes still there, only 2 or 3 guys from the wave, which included men 45-54. Thought I was a bit quicker, but apparently I wasn't.

This was a fairly decent ride for me. My bike has kinda sucked recently, so I thought it would be worse. Rode the first spur on Spinnaker pretty easy, just trying to get into the groove of the thing. Right turn on Harbor and finally got into aero and started pushing a bit. Decided just to treat it like a steady state 1 hour trainer ride. Not pushing too hard, but not backing off.

Surprisingly, for a 3 loop course that had a sprint (1 loop) mixed in there, it wasn't all that crowded. There were areas where it was a little tight, but people were generally OK in the bike handling department and stayed to the right. Got passed by a few aero helmeted rear wheel discers. And a couple road bikes. At least two guys kept playing leapfrog with me. I'd start to get to close and have to pass, few minutes later they'd come in front, and then slow down. A little frustrating.

Little draft packs would form but it wasn't that bad. A few choice cheaters though. When that happened I took the opportunity to sit up a bit and spin out, let them get some real estate in front of me. The marshalls were out there but I didn't see any penalties.

I had the garmin, and it clocked at 25.6 or so, so my mph was a touch over 20. I would have liked to go 1:10 but it wasn't in me. I was also holding back a bit, wanting to have a decent run.

On the second loop Dusty/FastYellow passed me, hauling ass and dragging a guy in a Navy tri suit in his draft. So much for honor.

Coming back, it was impressive seeing the guys at the pointy end of the run on their last mile or so.

It was a pretty good ride for me given the training I have done

Again, thought this was a little faster. Had to run the length of transition in my bike shoes. I'm not fast in running shoes, much lss bike shoes. Put on socks. That caused a few seconds.

I am pretty happy with this run. Not my best Oly run, but it felt very consistent to me. I found a good rhythm at the beginning and just stuck with it. Passed a guy wearing green shoes, he sped up a bit to catch me and ran with me from just before the 5K turnaround to a little past the bridge. It was nice to have someone to pace with,and I hoped he'd stay with me, but he eventually stopped for some reason and didn't see him again until the end.

I had my watch running the time, and about near the turnaround I figured I could PR, I need about 13 minutes from the 5K turnaround. Was going to take a little work. Not sprinting work or running outside myself, but just not letting the pace drop. Sometimes that's harder.

I thought I saw the turnaround in the distance, turns out it was just the aid station, still had to run across the bridge. Damn. Eventually made the left turn on Spinnaker and it's kind of a mind fuck as it slowly curves around the harbor left and right, you keep thinking "I'll be able to see the Finish banner on the next curve" and it doesn't come. Until it finally does.

Saw the finish. Picked it up a bit. Some guy said "catch those girls" and, I don't know, it's something primal in your head just goes "OK" and you do it. I don't think they noticed.

Crossed the line and stopped the watch, first time my watch time and clock time have synced to the 10th of a second, 2:37:44. Oly PR for me!

My running has improved a bit. I just need a couple seasons of solid, consistent smart training and get my run into the 8s.

Walked around some, waited for Chris and Renata.

They have a nice barbeque at the end, included. Had a burger and a naked dog, didn't quite have my appetite yet.


Lack of training on the bike.


Decent race on a new course. It was a little boring, but I kind of liked the 2 loop swim, I also kind of liked the out and back run on the same flat, straight course you already saw on the bike. Makes it much more a mental exercise. I would do this race again.