Gateway Triathlon - Olympic Course - TriathlonOlympic

Swim start was good. In the water on time with the first group. Started swim with normal bumping with other athletes. This was my first oly race and of course, the longest swim I have ever done in competition. The problem started after the first turn about half way through. Rounded the bouy on my left and continued swimming. Getting into a rythym with the stroke and feeling good. Next time I looked up, I was in the middle of the rectangular course and realized that I had to backtrack 25 yards or so to round the next bouy. Lost a minute or so. Continuing on after the mistake, I got back into the rythym and it happened again on the straight section coming into the finish. Had to get back onto the course. It seems like I swam 20% more than everyone else. Not disappointed with my time, but it could have been 2 or 3 minutes faster if I can swim straight

More OWS with sighting practice. More swimming in wetsuit.

T1 seemed a little slow to me. The run from the swim out all the way around the transition area was long. I wish the RD would have made a path to the transition area in the center instead of it being all the way on the end (run out).

Need more practice with T1

The way out was very fast for me. I knew the wind would be at my back on the way out so I figured I was going to take all I could while I had the chance. Hills were tough going up and very fast on the way down. At the bottom of 2 of the hills were sharp turns so you could not carry the momentum into the uphill.
After the turnaround, the wind was directly into you almost the whole way back. Tried to stay in aero and as low profile as possible. Drank 48 ounces of fluid on the bike, had one gel and one breakfast bar. I needed every bit of that nutrition later on.
Overall, I felt like I had a great bike given the conditions

Maybe train on hills a little more.

I initially racked my bike in the wrong place. A guy one stall from me had the same running shoes and similar look to my transtion set up. I actually had one foot in his shoe before I caught it. Made the transition a little slow.

Mark where my transition set up is so that I can easily recognize it.

I knew off of the bike that this run would be brutal. It was beginning to get very hot. Started off ok not feeling too bad transitioning from bike to run. Walked through the aid stations taking in as much water as I could. About halfway through, they had cold wet towels that really helped alot. I kept a wet towel with me the rest of the way. Upon turning around, it was beginning to get difficult to run. I noticed my pace on the Garmin was continuing to slip - 8:40, 8:50, 9:10. Felt like I was on the verge of cramping and was very dry and thirsty. I just tried to keep pace around 9:20 or so and then walk slowly through the aid stations. Walked slowly through a shaded hill in the middle of the course in an effort to build strength for the final 1.5 miles.
There were 2 guys in my AG that were in front of me on the last 1.5 miles. I paced myself off of them and planned to keep a strong, steady run thinking that I could overcome them in the last 1/4 mile. One of them cramped late and I passed him. The other tried to sprint in, but must have not had anything left. I just kept a steady pace (maybe 8:30 or so) for the final push. I finished strong, but I had nothing left. The heat took it all. I was so glad this run was over. I don't think I could have run another 1/4.

Complete more run training in the heat and after being tired.

Finished the race and tried to gather myself. Did not feel good at all. Saw my wife and kids for a while. It is so good to see them after an event like this. Drank some water and ate a little. Packed up and went home.


3 things limited my ability, 2 of them were mistakes:
1. I can't swim straight in open water
2. I need to know where my transition set up is
3. The heat on the run was brutal for me


This is a great venue for our area. 3D Racing does an excellent job and I recommend their races to any triathlete. Very well organized, on time, Kenny and the gang are all very personable and accessable.