Rev3 Portland - Half Rev - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I obviously wasn't looking to win the swim, but I was awfully damn proud of how well I did! I've never averaged so well per 100 yds! The first turn was a bottle neck, and I left myself in the back of the pack at the start to stay out of the dishwasher! The first half was difficult since I was alternating 50's. I was with slow swimmers, but swimming much faster while on my free segments. So I would usually have to avoid someone in front, pass them, and then have it happen right back when I went to a side stroke. I ended up getting really comfortable with 40 side strokes, followed by 20 sets of 3 strokes on the free. The last half really thinned out, so I was much more free and relaxed without bumping in to people. I got smacked in the face by a Olympic distance top-guy that started after our wave and passed me in the last quarter, but overall, this was a fabulous experience!

I'll continue to work on a more steady free style stroke throughout. Starting to feel like I can break-through the alternating stroke, and just keep steady on free, but the main thing is to keep my RPE down, which I felt I did well. I stood up too fast and too early at the beach. Had a little cramp in the left-calf after standing up, but it quickly subsided after walking up on to the beach.

I don't think there's any way to get around being stuck at the heels in my wet suit. It's just going to take me a little extra time to get through it. We had to stop at a start line, so it went well having my shoes on walking to the bike start point. Did a good job of getting my heart rate down. Helmet, glasses, shoes, and nutrition loading went great.

Not much of anything at this point.

My hill training really paid off. I spent all of the hills blowing by riders. Probably the hardest part was staying focused the last 15 miles on the flats through town, and not listening to the body aches that were kicking in!

Nothing.

I had an awkward dismount off of the bike. Getting a little woosy! Fairly easy jog to the bike rack, which was pretty close to the dismount area. I kept my bike shoes on through this point, mainly to keep my feet clean. I took a little longer than necessary to towel off and get my shoes on, but left the transition area about as relaxed as I think I could after that ride!

MORE SUNSCREEN! Especially on shoulders and open back spots of my singlet! I might consider running into the rack with my shoes off. Overall this was a little longer than I would've expected, but with the heat, I think it was important to get the heart rate down as much as possible.

I think the rankings sum it up. I passed 8 guys in my age group and 26 overall. What a grind!! The last 3 miles were the most grueling, mentally challenging miles I've ever endured! I walked through every aid station after the third one, but I think it actually helped my time. I would've ended up walking because of the heat had I tried to skip on the hydration. Also took salt tablets at three stations and a half banana at two aid stations.

Nothing! It took everything I had to get through the last three miles. I passed several good runners the last couple of miles, so I know I saved as much as possible for the end, but didn't leave anything in the tank. I shouldn't have jumped for joy at the end. Resulted in a nasty left hamstring cramp!!!

Non existant. Ended up in the medical tent for ice treatment to the left hammy. Got up and walked after 15 minutes after race. Found a cool place to stretch as well as I could, but that was about it. Need to improve cool down performance!


The heat!!!! Also it was hard to determine how hard to push on the bike. I might have been able to work off a little more time there, but not sure.


Absolutely a perfect day! What a great way to kick off my triathlon experience!! It was the most difficult thing that I've ever done, but I couldn't imagine something more satisfying to endure, and SUCCEED at!