Bayfront Challenge – Homestead, Florida - TriathlonOlympic

I was surprisingly swimming very straight, which made me reduce the number of times I had to sight.

However, I had an issue when swimming back to one of the tallow buoys. I was told by one of the lifeguards that I was swimming towards the wrong buoy and that I was going off course. I readjusted my swim and kept going, but it cost me an additional 100-150 yards.

The fact that they didn't explain the course wasn't an excuse. I should've taken more time to learn it, which would have helped me to not swimming off course towards a wrong buoy.

Bad transition (if I include the first 45 second of the bike portion).

I the transition area I executed very well. I arrived without swimming cap and goggles and put my helmet on. As usual I had issues putting my gloves in, but this time I think it was due to the fact that they were wet as it rained during the swim.

However, I had problems getting up to speed. I couldn't get my feet in my bike shoes (I did a fly mount) and it took me some time to open the gel and drink it. All of these slowed my bike out exit.

I should have not opt for a fly mount. I didn't practice it in a long time and there was not mount/dismount line. Since I my rack was right by the bike out, I should've just put my bike shoes and run with the bike.

I felt very good on the bike and this was probably my fastest bike split on an Olympic distance tri.

I always complained that I think I save too much on the bike and I wanted to go hard this time. I probably could've gone faster, but not much more this time, so I think I paced well. Also, it helped that a fast guy from the Sprint distance passed me right out of transition, so I used him as a reference point during the first loop. I wanted to keep him at ere distance. During the second loop, I was pacing myself against the second place guy. In the first measuring point I took he was 3:45 ahead of me and I reduced the time to 2:10 about 5 miles. At that time, I knew he didn't have much energy and that if I run well, I may pass him (the first guy was out of reach).

I turned and cornered very slow. I was scared of falling due to road conditions (wet and potholes/rough). That can be an excuse though, so I should practice turning and cornering more.

Very well racking the bike, even though the guy next to me (Sprint distance) left his helmet on my bike spot. Good removing the helmet and gloves.

Very bad putting shoes on. Since it rained, the inner sole was wet and I had an issue getting my feet on the shoes.

Knowing where the run out was. There were no signs before the race and I assumed there will be there after transition closed. They were not there either when I was about to start the run and I wasn't sure where to go.

By far, my best run off the bike. I felt strong and running fast. I could've kept running for a little longer at the same pace, but I couldn't go faster. I have endurance, but I need to start working on speed (more intervals workouts).

Not much, very solid run.

Chill out by near the finish line. I drank water, pepsi diet, and ate a hamburger, half sandwich, and muffins. Awesome food!!


Not knowing the course well enough (specially the swim and running legs).


Nice race in a great location. It was the first time they organized this race and you could tell, since they were running a little bit late and there was some confusion on the race course (big time on the run, nobody seemed to know where to run).

However, it has a lot of potential. The organizers were awesome and deal with their first time race pretty well. I am sure they will have everything nailed down on future races. I would repeat it.