IronGear Sports Rio Salado Triathlon - Olympic Course - TriathlonOlympic

ugh, not a good swim for me. In fact, this was my worst time in any OLY distance Tri. I started okay, but just couldn't get into a rhythm with my strokes and my breathing. This is usually a stronger area for me, but I could not seem to put it together. I think the course was also long, but the fact is everyone swam the same course and I just did not have a good swim. My pre-race swim didn't feel right either, but I thought I could put it together on race day.
(the only time I missed the wetsuit was before the start. I missed the bouyancy just floating there instead of treading water).

have a better swim? I have been swimming well in training. even my swim in the cold and waves at Oceanside was better than this.

Quick transition for me - although I stepped on and broke my sunglasses.

not much, this was pretty quick. I knew my swim was bad, but I had hoped to make up some of that time on the rest of the course

While the mileage hadn't been high, I had been working on the bike intensity and cadence. As this is my weakest area, it is the one I am going to focus on. first 10 miles were at 19.2, second 10 were at 19.3. Happy with the pace and consistency, but the final 4+ miles were 18+. I need to finish stronger.
My goal was to try and run high (for me), but still save a little for the run. this was my 2nd fastest bike leg in an OLY (1:15:47 in '08)

Not much. Always nice to go faster, but i am satisified with my bike performance.

opted to put socks on for the run and didn't get them on well. I think this is one of the things that cost me some time in T2. That and running back to get my sunglass lens (1) and then realizing it was broken.

not step on my sunglasses in T1. still pretty quick turnaround

Going into the race, I tried not to be consumed by time and PRs - although that is always out there. I knew I had a good bike leg for me and made up some of the time from my bad swim. I looked at my watch and thought I could PR if I ran the course in 50:00. I left T2 with the plan to run the first loop at a sustainable pace, and then try and bring it home on the second. First 2 miles were good, but I slowed a little on mile 3. I decided to maintain and now try to start my kick at mile 5. It was getting hot and I had little in the tank left. I was able to make up some more time here, but missed a PR for the event by 96 seconds. like my bike ride, I'm happy with my performance and this is the 2nd fastest I've done the OLY run leg (51:16 in '11)

run faster and maybe take some liquid with me on the run. They had plenty of aid stations, but it's easier for me to drink from a bottle on the run.

Crossed the finish line and enjoyed a few orange slices and watermelon. No one was in the Team Triple Sports tent (where is everyone?), so I gathered my gear and headed for home.
Even though most of them reside in an old shoe box under my bed, I was a little disappointed to not get a finishers' medal or a visor. red Rock usually has really good swag.


a bad swim. I mentally didn't let it get to me and had a good race. My goal for the race was to go and simply enjoy the race. I didn't want the pressure of setting expectations, I just wanted to get back to doing this for fun. It was - - and I still came close to my best effort.


Red Rock puts on a good event. As far as the events I have done with them, this one rates as average. The other events I have done have been much better