Onionman - TriathlonOlympic

First OWS race. HR skyrocketed at start, but I counted to 5 to let folks into the water. Problem was that I was better swimmer than a lot of those who went before so I had to pick my way around people during the swim to advance. A little trouble staying on course, but other wise very satisfied for my first tri.

Get further to the outside and go with the start. Swim first minute or so with head up getting orientated. Concentrate on 20 good breaths, then repeat.

Very crowded transition area on very steep, paved portion of park. Required to walk bike to beginning of course then mount. I took my time to insure feet were cleaned off, socks on, drink of Gatorade, etc. I even hung my wetsuit carefully over the rack.

Nothing really. I would bring bigger towel to "stake my claim" and a wetsuit bag for after.

Wore jacket because it was so cold. Speed bump caused sponge to fly out of aero bottle and following bumps rewarded me with a Orange Gatorade shower!

Attack hills and even out cadence. Concentrate on level for comfortable heart rate.

Had to stop and dismount and walk down and around transition area to re-enter for T2. Very steep and bike shoes were not advisable. I could not run in them on pavemnt.

Take off bike shoes and jog down with socked feet.

Starting out running uphill on trail was tough. I stopped and walked just a bit to lower HR. Left leg (muscle over outside of shin) was very tight. Caused left foot strike to be late so landed on ball of foot quite a bit. Stopped and stretched it then just went for it! 2 aid stations on course which you passed 2x each.

I probably drand a little bit much as I felt the need to pee for most of the run.

Jumped in lake to get sweat off, then just chilled and chatted with other finishers. Ran the "stick" over my legs a few times. Had a post race burger (race meal).


First timer.


Overall a very tough course made even tougher with bad conditions. All in all I did good and would do this race again in a heartbeat! Need to get a better sponge for aero bottle. Did not require too much mental gymnastics so my shape for IM must be coming along.