Columbia Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

I was swimming around to warm up and didn't realize they had started my wave - -I was listening for the mark, set, go - -didn't hear it. Oh well, no worries. Hugged the shoreline, then stayed close to the buoys. Sighted every 6th stroke in the beginning and around the buoys, every 8th stroke otherwise. Felt like a good strong swim, I was disappointed my time wasn't better.

Pay attention and get a good start at the front of the line.

I had covered my transition stuff with a giant trash bag to keep it dry, and the bikes seemed super close together. I couldn't seem to reach my stuff, but all in all, this was a decent transition time - although I thought it would be faster because I RAN from the swim to the transition and was not out of breath when I got to my bike - woo hoo!

maybe pull my stuff further out into the lane in FRONT of my bike tire instead of BESIDE it?

My target was 135 watts on the flats and 145-150 watts on the hills. Actual watts 135 (did not hit the higher targets, although it was an aggressive target - this is still a PR for me).

Prepared one 24 oz bottle of malto (2 calls/lb/hr) and only consumed 12 oz. Poor nutrition may have been an issue regarding hitting my targets. Also drank about 6 oz of water. It was raining and temps were in the low 60's, so it was cool outside.

My HR seemed really high coming out of transition and I could not seem to get my breathing regulated. I was taking BIG gupls of malto and soon had a cramp under my rib cage. I took deep breathes (exhaling completely) and in a little while was able to sip the malto.

My chain popped off at about mile 15 - quick jump off to put it back on - then hit the road again.

Wet roads, drizzling rain, kept it cool outside. Temps were nice.

I've been working over the winter season on strength training. It is paying off.

start out a little easier to get my HR down and my breathing regulated (having sinus/allergy issues, thought they were resolved, perhaps they were not).

This went well, I ran fast - - passing someone with their bike who was lollygagging around.

nothing.

took it easy out of transition, walked the first hill. At mile 2, I picked up the pace. Did well through the neighborhood and seriously picked up the pace the last mile (no particular pace or HR - did this one by "feel").

My right glutes/hamstrings are hurting (not sure why) so it was bugging me through the run. It seemed to feel better when I took longer strides.

Also, I could feel hunger pains early in the run. The malto I had on the run, was no where near what I needed. Just plugged away......sipping about 4 oz malto - no water.

hmm....I don't know. This was a pretty good run for me - another PR :)

definitely needed a place to walk at the finish line. It was very hard to stop COLD for the volunteers to get my race chip - - -I was feeling a tiny bit faint,but got moving quick and walking took care of it. Got food at the hill and a massage for my sore glutes/hamstrings. Hung out with BATC at the tent.


glute/hamstring, poor nutrition


This is a great race! Challenging. Loved the Quinoa salad.

Waited around for the results and was confused by the printouts (they had me as 5/23 in my group - did not make sense). By noon, I finally asked about the awards ceremony and was told they were already going on up on the hill. I never heard the announcement and was waiting for them to tell us where the awards would be held. A LOT of people were waiting for this - an announcement would have been good.

It was nice that they split the women's 45+ group into two waves (A-k and L-Z) - however, I wonder how many actually started in the wrong wave (forgetting there were two) - - we are used to lining up with same colored swim caps. I guess the chips figured it out.

Packet pickup was moved this year and it worked okay, except driving from the church to the park you were forced to go about a mile down the road and make a U-turn to return to the park that is directly across the street. I guess they expected people to walk their bikes over, but with the rain - most folks didn't want to get soaked.

Also, one suggestion for race organizers is to allow about 25 yards or so at the finish line, after you get your medal to walk to where the volunteers remove your chip - so we don't pass out from the hard stop after the adrenaline rush of the finish line.

Getting Better Every Year :)

Just found out I made the 5150 US Champtionship Qualifier's List - WOW!!!

2013:
3:06:32 Overall (920/1523) AG 13/51
32:47 Swim
3:16 T1
1:31:13 Bike (watts 135)
1:37 T2
57:42 Run

2012
3:15:58 Overall (1238/1696) AG 32/58
31:35 Swim
3:14 T1
1:36:44 Bike (127 watts)
1:27 T2
1:03:02 Run

2011
3:31:29 Overall (1346/1640) AG 31/41
33:60 Swim
3:39 T1
1:45:17 Bike (111 watts)
2:09 T2
1:07:18 Run