Honolulu Triathlon - Olympic Course - TriathlonOlympic

Second attempt at the Olympic distance triathlon. Beach start, salt water swim, counter clockwise, out and back. A lot of contact in the beginning. Was the roughest start I've experienced so far, but I think it was good practice. Felt really good for the swim and knocked over 2 minutes off my time from my Olympic race last year. I was pleased when I got out of the water, and thirsty. Not a big fan of salt water.

Become a better swimmer? This was a good day for me.

No wetsuit to take off, so I ran and passed a lot of people heading into T1. What likely slowed me down was trying to get sand and stuff off my feet and putting on my gloves.

Get a tri bike so I don't have to wear gloves!

Bike started out well, but I was being passed. A LOT. And I was doing 20mph. So I was a little depressed, but they were mostly guys with fancy bikes and race wheels, so I didn't feel too bad. I was wondering if I was starting out too quick, but I figured I'd make hay while the sun was shining and went with it. Kept a pace between 18-20mph until the turn around at Lagoon Drive, then hit a wall of wind and was sad I didn't have aerobars. Made it up and down the small hills pretty well and then headed back into town. Still kept it around 17-18mph on the way back and was wondering if I had screwed my run, my legs still felt pretty good, and I was stoked each time I checked my watch as I really wanted to get under 3 hours and this bike got me in around 1:54 mark. I was pleased.

Get a tri bike? I felt good and put a lot of effort into the bike. I'm happy with it.

Hadn't practiced leaving the shoes in the pedals in awhile and there was so much junk on the ground I decided to run with them in. Good idea, kept me from getting more crap on my socks. Took me a little longer than normal in here since they encouraged us to be green and carry our own water, so I had to put on the race belt and visor while standing there instead of just grabbing and running.

Nothing - I liked being able to drink on my schedule.

Nice, I didn't know I kept that decent of a pace! Lots of loops in the course, so it was spectator friendly, but a little demoralizing. Passed a lot of people - I love being a runner - and kept playing leap frog with this one guy in a truly hideous kit. It got warm out there, but I appreciated the shade when it was available and the run seemed to go by quickly except for the last mile - the twists and turns in there were more than I expected and it stretched on far longer than I was anticipating. Oh, and I beat the guy with the ugly kit. :)

8:35 pace after all of that, I'm happy. Now if I can just replicate that pace for a marathon...

Went and sat in the ocean. HEAVEN! I could have stayed there all day, but I figured I was pushing my sunscreen. And I think I ate spam. I'm not sure.


Overall fitness? I'm happy with the race.


So my goal was to improve on my Olympic time last year of 3:08:11. I really wanted to get under 3 hours. I CRUSHED it! 2:46:21. I'm still so happy. Granted last year was Quassy and the hills killed me there, however, not having an off season this winter really helped my bike. I think I'll go smile some more. :)