Pat Griskus Triathlon Series - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Moments of panic at about 3:00 in; lots of sidestroke and forced calm. I started out way too strong and wound up with a HR of about 170. It took me a while to calm down and find my rhythm. Then at about the 750 yd mark, I realized that the water was just a little too calm, so I poked my head up and noticed that I was somewhere in the middle of the diamond. Hmm, thought I, that could be why I wasn't bumping into anyone. There was a boat heading my way, so I wouldn't have gotten too much farther anyway.

Warm up more, probably with a balls-to-the-wall swim out to the first buoy and then back a little more sedately. Also, spot more often. In the next few months, I'll try to get in some open-water swimming as well.

I purposefully slowed it down in the transition to allow some of the freaky feeling to leave. I slid off the wetsuit (thanks Bodyglide!), rolled up socks, pulled on shoes, grabbed helmet, gave Wifey a kiss, and out I went.

Speed it up a bit.

Last-minute course change caused me a little confusion, but still a much better ride than the previous week.

It would be very nice to have an actual tri bike. Yes, yes it would. Also, I will probably just take one bottle with me, and take a second at the aid station.

After T1, T2 seemed too easy. Change shoes and headgear, and away we go.

Speed it up, and not chug as much gatorade before leaving.

The run kicked what little was left of my ass. On the second loop, I realized I had very little arm strength (glycogen kicked?). I opted to try a Hammer gel at mile 4, and was surprised to find a yummy jam that gave me just enough of a boost to pick it up a bit. Definitely need water with those things, though.

I came close to booting at about mile 1, and in retrospect, I probably should have just let it out. All that fluid was sloshing around, and I was STILL thirsty and overheated.

Add nutrition. That gel was amazing; if I'd had one at the start of the run, I probably would have been able to shave a few minutes off. Ultimately, though, I need to run more. It's a good thing I got hooked on it.

Walk it off, add a little Tiger Balm, and walk it off some more. It must have worked, because I had just a little residual soreness in the calves the following two days.


1. Excess weight. Losing 30 lbs in the last six months helped tremendously, losing the next 30 lbs should be astonishing.
2. I'm still new at running. 1:07 for a 10K is an average time for me, and according to my coach, a very respectable finish for someone who couldn't run a quarter mile a year ago.
3. I'm new at multisport. I was a little afraid to leave the transition area for the bike; where was my helmet? Were my shoes tied? Did I have my snacky bar? (on my head; they're tied with race laces; yes.)
4. Hell, I'm still new at RACING. I brought too much water on the bike; it was just enough for the ride, but I should have only brought one bottle and taken one at the aid station. I brought too much water on the run; they literally had water every mile.


That finish line was the most beautiful thing in the world, until I saw my dad's face light up as I crossed it.