T-Gator Triathlon Series - Race #3 - Triathlon

Disaster.

Deep water start, no problem.

First 200 yards or so, I'm OK. Good rhythm, breathing well, sighting every 30 strokes or so. Then it was like someone threw a switch and cut off my breathing ability, I could not catch my breath. Pushed on the best I could, got to where I was breathing every stroke, then tried breaststroke, even backstroke, could not regain my breath for anything. Pushed on for a ways, passed a kayaker, thought about stopping but pushed on. Finally realized that things were getting desperate, that there was a very real possibility of drowning if I didn't get to shore.

Managed to breaststroke in to where I could touch, stood there gasping and retching for over a minute. Got some semblance of normal respiration back, then walked/dogpaddled through chest-deep water the last 150 yards to the swim exit. At that point I was physically spent, seriously thought about DNFing. Saw Angel as I was coming out the water, then decided to push on.

That's the $64,000 question. Got to figure this thing out.

Slow motion, but made it through OK. Did have trouble with an insole in the bike shoe. Might have to glue those down.

How bad was this? I hit the 7.5-mile turnaround in 24 minutes and change. Last Tuesday, I did a 10-mile time trial in 24 minutes and change.

Physically drained, could not get my heart rate below 145, even at speeds below 20mph, had no power whatsoever. Hurt to have people pass me who had no business doing so, all I could think about is the BTers on here bragging about passing the guy on the nice bike with fancy wheels.

High point of the race for me. ;) Spectators were ooh-ing and ah-ing, applauding, guess they didn't expect someone as sucky to have such a good dismount.

How bad was this? The course was marked in 1/4-mile increments, and I could not even run from one mark to another. Walked most of the course, interrupted with coughing fits whenever I tried to run.

Packed up the crap and went home. Guardian Angel drove while I slept.


Been thinking about nothing else, trying to narrow it down as to what possibly went wrong:

Pacing: Most likely cause. I felt comfortable, right up to the point where I almost died, wasn't pushing or anything. maybe inadvertently, caught up in the moment, I just don't know.

Undertraining: everyone knows I didn't swim all winter, but I've been at it pretty regular since May 1. Lately I've been swimming four times a week, 1500, 1800 yards at a time. This 575-yarder shouldn't have been a challenge.

Overtraining: Maybe. I've been going at it hard lately, increased intensity and volume. This was a "C" race, plans were to train through it and have an easy week after.

Panic/mental: Who knows? The whole time I felt calm, even up to the point where I thought, "hey, dude, you're going to drown." I've swam open water before, even a 1.5K, spent all my life in and around water.

At this point, I'm at a loss but really need to figure it out. Have three tris scheduled, and was looking at a possible HIM at the end of the season. Not swimming like this though.

Trying to schedule an open water swim this weekend to work things out.


Despite my performance, for a low-key, low-budget race this was run well. Put on by the Lake Charles Triathlon Club, you could tell these guys know first-hand what they want out of a race. Good venue, well-marked and -staffed course, hand-timed but they even broke out the transition times.

This was the third in their annual series of races, I will definitely try to do more of these next year.