American Triple-T Ohio - Race #4: Little Smokies Half Iron - Triathlon

Once again, LC and I (being teammates) could draft off of each other. We planned for me to wait for her in T1, but we got out of the water together. Swim was pretty uneventful. I usually get bored during the swim, but enjoyed it the entire weekend. Took a quick picture of me, LC and Kim in between the loops before going into the water for the last time.

Wow...legs were fatigued! Could tell that just on the ride downhill in the morning. Tried to go out at an easy-ish pace to warm up my legs. A few miles in, Amy caught up to me and LC and joined. Hit the switchback climbs on Boy Scout Hill and kept thinking how I had to do that again. Pulled a lot of mental strength from IM StG and BRBC. Just worried about moving forward at that time. Amy and LC would take a short breather at the top of the major climbs as I caught up (and would ride through since I was slower).

Continued the plan of eating solids (waffles, GU chomps) and drinking Roctane. Slake caught up to us and we were then a group of 4 (that would ride side by side for a bit or stretch out along the road - both of which were legal). Had to stop for a few minutes on one of the technical descents due to a really bad crash where the person had to be ambulanced away and then life flighted. Ended lap 1 slower than ideal, but still in good spirits and moving forward. At one point, I made the comment to Amy that there were no spectators on the bike course at all and it almost felt like a ride through Loudoun County with my teammates.

Instead of aid stations, the race had a picnic table set up with jugs of water you could refill. Most people put their pre-made liquid nutrition out on the table, but since the tent was right there, we used the tent. We made a 6-7 minute stop to refill bottles (and have LC stretch her back) before continuing on.

The second loop was uneventful and slower. Just took things hill by hill and was happy knowing we'd be done riding soon. Mentally, the second loop was so much quicker even though it took us longer.

Rolled into T2 happy to rack my bike.

Definitely drink more. The sun came out and it was warm by the end. I think I drank 2 bottles of Roctane for the entire ride.

Amy left the TA first and then Slake. We tried to catch them, but weren't able to the entire run. LC and I planned on the same strategy as the second Oly, but our legs were fried and we found ourselves walking sections that we probably could have run. Having known the course though, we knew what was ahead of us. I had a bag of chomps I progressively ate during the run and we'd grab water and ice at each aid station.
My saddle was ok during the entire weekend, but at about mile 20 of the bike somehow got tilted up (fixed at the tent), but this caused me some discomfort that continued onto the run. Thankfully, they had Aquafor at each aid station.

Once again, was nice to see the teammates coming in to finish their race. I tried to turn my brain off from doing an 8+ HIM and a 3+ run segment. LC and I were still happy and smiling and making friends along the way.

We made it back to the TA and had a quick stop at the tent to say hi before starting loop 2. Loop 2 was definitely less crowded, but it was nice to know we were almost done. The volunteers at the aid stations were great and while I don't use the products they had on the course, they did have coke, ice, water and watermelon which was awesome.

We hit the final paved stretch with the nice downhill and started an easy run to the finish line. Was greeted by Amy and Chris Geary at the tent right before we crossed the finish.

In looking back, we probably could have run more sections of the HIM run course, but to be honest, we were content with the fact that we were happy and moving forward (and still running the downhills).

Found Slake, grabbed a Diet Coke and sat in the creek for our ice bath.


This was an amazingly tough and fun weekend of racing. Having done TTT NC, I was familiar with the set up and mental feelings of getting suited up each race. But the Ohio course is so much more challenging with the hills.
It was a great weekend racing with teammates and I am not sure I'd want to do this event solo - having LC as company was crucial.

I had a few goals going into the weekend and managed to accomplish all of them - have fun, stay positive, don't embarrass myself and finish. This was a great training weekend for CdA and MTT. I think I'm the most proud of the fact that I did not have one negative or bad thought the entire weekend. If you know me, that right there is huge. I was never frustrated or upset on my pace or how things were going - sure I would have liked to go faster looking back at our times now, but we had a fun weekend of racing.

I can see myself going back to race TTT Ohio. It's a great event. Staying in the cabins right in the park was key. As was ensuring I stayed on top of my nutrition the entire weekend - continually eating and rehydrating. I also found it really beneficial to prep my race bag, nutrition and bottles the night before the race (for the AM races) or right as I got home (for the PM Oly).

This was a confidence boosting weekend of racing!