Pittsburgh Triathlon - International Distance - Triathlon

Lots of controversy among the athletes about the RD deciding to hold the swim due to the Combined Sewer Overflow as a result of all of the rain we had Saturday-Sunday morning. SOAK status was Red early Sunday morning and changed to Yellow (minimize contact with the river) by race time.
http://www.alcosan.org/SewerOverflowAdvisories/SOAKStatusHistory/ta...
I actually thought the river was better than last year (when there was also a CSO. Current was mild, there was no chop, and I saw no debris in the water.

I was surprised how long I was in a pack of people. Usually it spreads out more. It did allow me to get on some feet, but it wasn't sustained. I thought I sighted really well today - maybe a little too well - I actually ran into two of the buoys. Time was a little slower than last year and than what I expected. May have to do with backing off over the final 200M.

Had the 11th fastest T1 overall. Had a little bit of trouble mounting my bike for some reason. Leg did not want to make it over the seat. No trouble though.

Nothing

Not sure why this was a minute slower than last year. Added an aero helmet and Continental 4000S tires this year. Felt like I paced it pretty well. I didn't see the top end speed on the downhills. Did not get my bike checked out before the race, but I did carefully check that brakes weren't rubbing.
HR averaged just under LT but varied wildly due to terrain.

Not sure??

Transition was pretty good. Might have gotten out of my shoes a bit early, but not a big deal. Had a nice running dismount. Transition area was a muddy mess by this time, so had to dodge puddles. Took an extra few seconds to wipe the mud off of my feel before slipping into running shoes.

Not race in the mud?

Over 2 minutes faster than last year. Felt really good at the beginning and was ahead of pace for the first two miles. Hit a wall at mile 3. Gel at the turnaround helped a little, but at that point I was fried. Just could not push the pace. Legs were tired, breathing was ragged. HR was around LT. Managed a kick at the end for the last 300M or so.

Pace better.

Laid on the ground to recover. Told the EMT who came over that I was ok. Drank water and walked around.


Pacing, mud,


My goal was to make top 10 AG at this year's race which I did.
Didn't expect to get the same time and move up in place due to less AG competitors, but 8th is 8th.

Less volunteers than prior years - probably due to the rain.