RAGE Triathlon Presented by Safelite AutoGlass - Sprint Course - TriathlonSprint

Started out feeling good - got a good start and was swimming well with the lead pack - began having some problems with vertigo shortly after rounding the second buoy. (I guess due to the clear water?? This is my swim coach's theory anyway) Slight vertigo quickly turned into severe dizziness accompanied by nausea, with at least 500m to go. I half doggy-paddled, half breast-stroked my way to the finish, praying and crying the entire time. At one point, I saw stars and really thought I might pass out. Once my feet hit the ground, I desperately wanted to throw up, but managed not to, luckily (especially for those coming in behind me!) Headed straight for a nearby port-a-potty, as I didn't want to throw up in front of all the people with cameras and children. Worst. Swim. Ever.

Close my eyes when my face is in the water rather than trying to focus on the bottom of the lake.

Well, I guess I'm happy it was only 10 and a half minutes - it felt like an hour, sweating, struggling to get out of my wetsuit while throwing up in the port-a-potty. Somehow resolved that I was not going to quit, as long as I wasn't too dizzy to stay on my bike, and eventually stumbled to my transition area (I passed it once and had to be directed back by a volunteer who appeared to be very concerned about me) Managed to get my shoes and helmet on and headed out on my bike, really unsure if I would be able to pull it off or not.

I think the answer to that question is obvious. :)

Started out feeling very discouraged due to the bad swim and T1 - decided to get on a mission to pass as many people as possible, and managed to pull off a decent bike under the circumstances. Felt better as time went on as I realized that I would actually be able to finish.

I was pretty dehydrated from the throwing up and everything, and it was a fairly hot day - may have run better if I had drank more on the bike.

Knew I was getting dehydrated, so took a little extra time to drink - overall no real issues.

Drink more on the bike.

Could have been faster under better circumstances - did not like the loose dirt and potholes on the course - saw one person step in a hole and wipe out. Decent run overall, but not what I was hoping for prior to the race.

Hydrate!

Soooo happy when this race was over - not a good experience, but I am happy that I didn't give up and managed to finish. Drank lots of water (and then a little beer).


All the issues during the swim followed by throwing up, dehydration, lack of bike fitness - definitely need to train more on the bike.


Due to the cold water (at least for training prior to the race), the loose gravel on the run course, and the dry, dusty, hot and crowded post-race area with nowhere to sit and relax, I'm not sure I will ever do this race again. Also, lack of volunteers led to unmanned drink stations which is not cool at all considering how hot it got as the day went on.