XTERRA Hammerman Triathlon - TriathlonOther

Felt great in the swim. I wanted to get out ahead so I wouldn't be choking on others' waves or fighting to get past people, so I went out pretty hard. As I rounded the buoys, I felt pretty safe so I took it pretty easy the rest of the way back and maintained my spot for the most part.

Practice...

I was a little dizzy bending down getting my socks and shoes on, but the wetsuit came off pretty easy. It still took me about three minutes, which felt like no time at all. I gotta work on this.

Practice transitions...

Holy crap. The only way I could have been really prepared for this bike leg is if I came to this course. I live 160 miles away and didn't make it to the previews. Just when I would think it couldn't get any worse, it would get worse. Then even worse. The one word I thought of while riding was that it was "demoralizing." I got off the bike to hike up hills so many times I lost count. This course shook me like a paint-shaker over the roots, threw me off my bike a couple times, threw my chain, and kept my knuckles white the entire ride. I don't think I've cussed more ever in my life than while I was riding this course. Afterward, I felt like a champ just to finish. It was a huge accomplishment.

Practice...

Didn't have much to do in this transition. Just took off the helmet, racked the bike, and started running. I soon realized I forgot to take my Gu and a drink, but there were plenty of drink stations ahead. I was pretty out of it, and had to ask directions out of the transition area. I'm really bad about that. Forrest Gump-like.

Drink and take a GU

I was dead after the bike. My legs were toast. The downhills felt great, but I walked up most hills. I'm pretty sure it was Kristi Waythomas who came back up the trail (after her race) and helped push me through the finish. Super nice lady. She actually apologized for telling me to run run run! I would have preferred she had a whip to get me up the hills. I needed it.

Run more. I'm a swimmer.

Walk around in a lost and disoriented manner, mumbling nonsense to myself and my family.


Lack of specific training.


I wish there were more choices for these ratings. I'd call it awesome. The course was too hard for a shlub like me, but I don't care. It kicked my butt, and I'm proud to have done it. There were loads of volunteers, drink stations with music (I heard Bob Seger's Shakedown from Beverly Hills Cop, AND the breakdance fighting song from Zoolander!), and they had an awesome raffle at the end of the race. They raffled off some items that were hundreds of dollars, and there were enough items altogether that EVERYBODY came out with something, I'm pretty sure. Absolutely the best organized race I've seen.