Survival of the Shawangunks - Triathlon

Awosting - is after the 1st 4.5 mile run, while the run had some challenging up/downs, I was still feeling fresh when it started, not so much after the swim. I immediately cramped on hitting the water, but it let up almost immediately too. I also realized very quickly that wearing my trail shoes while swimming (or at all) would be the worst mistake I made today. I was dragging 2 bricks and I'm not much of a kicker to begin with. I tried to put it out of my mind and just keep moving forward. I reminded myself that I could swim this distance with my six year old daughter on my back, just not fast :-). I do wish the longest swim wasn't the first, so I could have learned my lesson with less of a time penalty. On getting out of the water, my bad shoulder was acting up some, Time= 43:21/113th of 130

Minnewaska - after learning my lesson, stuffed my shoes down the front of my onsie and that helped a lot, but I'm still kind of a crappy swimmer and lost ground on every swim. Getting out was tough on this one. Stayed in the water to put shoes back on but was cramping up alot, along with everyone else around me. These lakes are beautiful and clean. I took a tip from Art and drank my fill of lake water from the 1st two lakes. It took some getting used to, but worked out fine. Time = 26:09, 106/130

Mohonk- my lack of swimming kept showing up, but the last swim was more of a slog after 18 miles of running 1.6 swimming and 30 biking, the fatigue was setting and I was getting punchy. I heard a voice in my head say "it's not time to nap" twice, and that gave me a WTF moment. I was stroking the whole time, but sloppily, so wasn't too worried. I also wasn't worried because these are hands down the best supported swims I've ever seen. Kayakers and scuba divers everywhere. Every time I breathed left, I not only saw a kayaker, but saw that kayaker looking back directly at me. Maybe its because I'm a crappy swimmer, but I think that is just how they roll. Also, Mohonk has the views of the mountain house, which I'd love to stay in again if a rich uncle that I don't know about thinks of me in his will. Time=23:08, 119/130.

Start right from the beginning stowing shoes. And different shoes. And be a better swimmer. This race is not forgiving to half-assed swimmers.

T-1 here is the only true transition and it went smooth. Mike and D were waiting to take the bike and give me my run/swim stuff.

I thought i would hold 180 watts until hitting the climb, but I felt good and the rollers can get you pushing so was a little over 200 until the climb. Happy enough with the efforts. I was in the 2nd wave, so I got passed more than I would have liked by the later waves. The waves were by age groups. At about 10 miles out I got passed by what seemed like the entire 45-49 age group riding in a tight peleton. I exaggerate by saying all. I know for a fact some passed within the rules later, but this group was blatant.

Almost had a spill on the downhill around mile 11. I should have slowed a little more with the carbon brake pads and all.

It was a good ride. I'm okay with it.

This is my strong suit, so other than the foot pain from my shoe choice, this went pretty well. I got to know several participants well as I passed them 3-4 times each, only to be retaken in the lakes. Oh well. I didn't know about the killer hill at mile 17, and I'm glad I didnt. Just walked most of it. As the day moved on, the trail traffic started to pick up with hikers, rock climbers, all sorts of folks.

Run1 = 39:14, 22th
Run2 = 46:34 14th
Run3 = 1:09:43 16th
Skytop = 6:06 36th

Swim faster, to hold on to running gains.

Had some snacks then went down to wait for Mike and D and cheered for the folks finishing thier last swim.


Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.


Weather=perfect starting low 60s, ending mid 70s. Course was fantastic. Volunteers, post race banquet. I cant say enough about this race. The post race bbq with cold beer was the best. IM can keep their cold pizza and pretzels. But I understand this only works because SOS limits the field size. I can't wait to come back.