Capitol View Triathlon - Olympic Course - TriathlonOlympic

This was my first lake race of any distance and my second triathlon (first was sprint in a pool). It was an interesting experience in terms of it is weird to be bumping into, hitting and getting hit by others. I almost enjoyed that part of it because that meant I was at least in the ball park of where I was supposed to be and I didn't find it disconcerting for some reason.

Still, I had no idea where I was at relative to the course so obviously I need to work on sighting. I don't know how much further than 1500M I actually swam due to the sighting difficulties but I know I swam much slower than I do at the pool so I think I did pretty poorly. I also came out of the water disconcerted; I honestly think I may have been overheated but not terribly so. I had to walk to the transition area and felt bad which surprised me.

First lake race. I could have practiced more and wish I had a different wet suit but I like the pool too much and don't want to spend the money on a new wetsuit until I improve.

I'm going another lake triathlon in 6 weeks that is a straight swim rather than circle which I think will go better but the fact is that I think it will take some time to get to used to this.

Well I'm somewhat disoriented from swim so I did two things that surprised me. First I walked which I thought I needed to recover and second I sat down on a picnic table and take off my wetsuit. The reality is that the wetsuit came off better than I expected and I hadn't rubbed any sores which was a first for me. I then walked slowly to my bike because I was still somewhat disoriented.

Given my condition I think I did exactly what I should have.

o.k. now I know things aren't going well. I have never ever felt this bad on the bike. I'm coasting on hills, I'm getting passed by people I know I can bicycle better than. I'm sweating which shocks me even though yea I know it is hot. My stomach is also churning and I can't quite fight the feeling I might start cramping.

If I start cramping I would have quit as that tends to happen to me when I suffer from heat exhaustion. I totally backed off and tried to take it easy but the truth is I still felt awful.

I think I was having a bad day and hadn't ridden for two weeks before hand but the only two things I would do differently would be to forget the gatorade which I think upset my stomach and stick to water.

Also think I finally figured out why my certain private parts have been getting numb and will be adjusting my bike seat.

Well I'm beat and worried about my run. I positively dawdled during this transition. I was shocked that others were running around me and I felt I had to listen to what my body was saying.

I made the right call to take it easy. If there would have been a water fountain or some other way of cooling off before the run I would have spent five or ten minutes preparing for the next leg. In fact, in the next race I plan to bring ice.

Well, my stomach is churning, I was afraid of cramping, it is hot, I'm not messing with the risk of a trip to the emergency room so I walked!

Truth is I felt better as time went on but I never felt good. I told myself to run down some of the hills but even there I rarely did it. In many respects I was humiliated by the run but I sincerely believe it is easier to finish first than finish last so I decided to stick it out. Besides I couldn't stand the thought of a DNF or the trip to the emergency room that I thought might result if I tried to run. I'm never fast but I've never walked like this before.

Maybe take breaks during the earlier transition or at the aide stations. I honestly don't think it would have helped my performance and I might have quit but it is just an idea.

Found some shade and sat down. The race directors likely should have had some water hoses or something to help people cool down but the truth is that I didn't see anyone in distress so maybe it wasn't necessary.

I did throw up about an hour after the race was over. That may have been what I ate/drank. My toes cramped the rest of the day. I've had toe cramps before but never like this.


Too much fried fish the week before. Not riding for two weeks before, not really running either aside from three races two weekends before. I had no reason to expect a good performance but not this bad.


Very well organized with enthusiastic volunteers. Lets face it, I was walking and I felt encouraged to continue. Saw a lady drop out 3 miles into the run; wish she would have walked with me but given the heat she probably made a wise call.