Folsom Long Course Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The swim starts facing directly into the rising sun from the east, so tinted goggles are a must! Was lucky enough to get some cloud cover in the morning to make for easier buoy spotting with little sun glare.

I would get into the water 15min before start time, not 10 to get a little more acclimated and loosened up.

This was my first HIM, and my plan during transitions was to "Take my time", which is reflected in my transition times lol.

I was disappointed that the 2 aid stations on the bike course did not offer any nutrition/gels. Other than that, the road closures with police at every major intersection was AWESOME!

I would train longer and harder on the bike especially on hills.

Again, "Taking my time" in transition. Talked with family a little bit and tried to get some calories and salt back in my system due to the lack of nutrition on the bike.

Legs cramped up multiple times which led me to walk quite a bit, but once I got them stretched out I was able to run at training pace(10min/mi) or faster.

After looking up my symptoms of muscle cramping on the run, I will have to try out salt tablets due to my heavy sweating and improve my bike fitness.

Walked into the lake and cooled off for a bit


Bike training fitness, cramps, nutrition, and "Taking my time" in transition.


PROS:
-Awesome volunteers and athletes who were both VERY supportive and encouraging of one another.
-Road closures for the bike course left me feeling safe and worry free of any traffic coming onto the course.

CONS:
-The aid station to fill bottles with water/cytomax were not set up for transition until 10min til start time.
-No nutrition/gels provided on the bike course
-Post race activities.... What post race activities? It was a ghost town, with all the vendor tents packed up and gone, no music, or announcer at the finish chute.

Overall, the course was amazing but the organization of the event could use some major work.