Belews Lake International Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

This was a time trial start, with two swimmers starting every 15 seconds. I hopped in and immediately began passing people. I was surprised at how many people started ahead of me, and I realized quickly that a lot of people overestimated their swimming ability when submitting their 100 meter time for seeding. I felt very comfortable in the water. I was sighting well, and felt fast, passing the first turn buoy quickly. The first 1/3 of the course is in a bit of a cove and protected from the wind, but as I swam past that point, I noticed that the chop picked up. This wasn't an issue for me, since I swim at Ebenezer, which always has wind and chop. I rounded the final turn buoy and spotted the boat ramp. I kept swimming hard, and had to correct very little. I came out right on the boat ramp, and ran hard to transition.

This was an awesome swim for me. I swam a 30:05 last year at this race on a non windy day, so swimming nearly a minute quicker is a great improvement. I still hope to get faster, and will be putting in plenty of time in the pool and out at Jordan Lake.

Found my teather quickly and unzipped. I got the wetsuit down to my waist while running, but left my cap and goggles on. I found my bike quickly, and saw that one of the guys on my rack was back. I still made it out of transition before him though. I quickly removed the wetsuit from my legs, pulled off my cap and goggles, pulled on my bike shoes, donned my helmet and sunglasses, slipped my gel flask into my side pocket, and ran out with my bike.

Just practice to become faster. I was 11 seconds faster than last year, so I can't complain.

I started off great. I pushed hard up the hill out of the marina, but my pace was comfortable. I passed everyone I came across on the hill, and got down into aero once we topped out. I kept a very comfortable, yet quick pace on the bike. I pushed hard on the uphills, hammered the flats, and bombed the downhills. I was ahead of my time from the previous year by over a minute when starting the bike, and I was really trying hard to keep ahead of the pace. I took the turns a lot faster this year, and it felt great. Towards the end of my second lap, I was on pace for a bike PR. I was pushing hard as I made the turn back onto Ellisboro Rd, but then I saw them. 3 cars bumper to bumper behind someone riding at a snail's pace. It's against USAT rules to cross the yellow line, and there was nowhere to go on the right, so I just had to sit up and wait. The cars finally passed the rider, but then we got behind another, and then another. There was another rider there with me, and we both missed PRs because of this. We were behind the last one all the way until the turn into the marina. I hit the downhill hard back to the marina, and took my feet out at the gate just above the transition area. Sitting behind those cars was frustrating, but there was nothing I could do about it. I missed a PR, but I still know my fitness is better this year.

More bike time. My pace was better than last year before getting stuck behind the cars, but it could be faster. I'll also keep saving for a Tri bike and hit the weights.

Awesome dismount!!! I hit the line perfectly and heard the woman beside me let out a "whoop". I ran to my rack, slid the bike on, dropped the helmet and slipped on the shoes. I grabbed my hat and number and ran out. I could hardly believe it all happened this quick, and was mentally checking myself as I ran out. Perfect T2 for me. 1st in age group 11th overall!!!

Not a thing. This was perfect.

I felt great leaving transition. A lot of it is probably being more dialed in on the bike, but it was probably nutrition as well. I pushed fluids and gel on the bike since it is the most convenient time to eat, and I couldn't be happier with how it all worked.
As I was leaving transition, I grabbed a water, but had to wait for the volunteer, so I lost a second or two. No big deal, I still felt great. I hit the hill hard, and passed everyone. After the race, Emily told me that lots of spectators on the hill were commenting on my leg muscles and how fast I was going up the hill.
As I got to campsite road, I felt a little discomfort in my quads, but that soon faded, and I got into a good rhythm, passing lots of people as I went. I was pacing off of a guy on my first lap, hoping to pass him, but he turned toward the marina, and I still had one more lap.
My second lap was tough. My legs started burning toward the end, but I knew I had to keep going if I had any chance at a PR. I ran hard on the downhill to the marina, and made a line straight for the water and a place to sit down as soon as I crossed the line. Emily grabbed my "Finisher" pint glass for me. I missed a course PR by 11 seconds and I ran 9 seconds slower than last year, but any difference under 15 seconds is pretty much the same time. Great run!


Just put in some more run time and do a few more bricks.

Walked around and ate free food. My watch didn't have my correct time, since I started it late, so I walked over to the tent to check and saw that I had placed 3rd in my age group! This is my first podium in a triathlon since October 2011, so I was super psyched!


Limited run training, body weight, less advanced bike, I'm still a slow swimmer.


Awesome race! I love this venue, and plan to be back every year as long as I can fit it in. I loved the pint glasses for finishers, and the fleece blankets were a great prize. Set Up always does an incredible job!