Square Lake Triathlon - Long Course - Triathlon

Tried to stay calm. Stroke pacing was faster than usual and I had trouble bi-lateral breathing.

Sighting was good, rounding bouys was the best I've ever done, but
kept pulling to the right.. started drifting inside the bouys a few times.

Had forgotten my swim cap and asthma inhaler up at transition. Needed both before starting the race. Ran up and made it back just in time for the start. Slightly riled.

More open water swimming.

Made the climb up the wooden stairs to T1..
Wasn't as bad as I suspected in bare feet.

Was great to see my buddy Trent by my bike to cheer me on. Wetsuit coming off was a little tricky, and took a few steps away with my bike before returning for my sunglasses. Oops.

Practice my routine. New water bottle changed the position where I normally keep my helmet and glasses..

Made a new water bottle and it was great to stay in aero position without reaching down every time to get bottle. Drank easily when I needed but had some stomach muscle/intestine distress.

Had two gels. These things are great.. should have had more.

New gearing was great for climbs and for straight-aways, but I have not fully adapted to the new gearing. A few times found myself in the wrong (expected) gear.

Second lap was significantly slower than the first. 15-20min?
Had a HARD time mentally keeping my focus.
Transition area was playing "All about that Bass, no Treble" and I could NOT get the catchy tune out of my head. Actually resorted to counting... Counted to 1000 once or twice.. Sigh...

Longer training rides.
More padded Tri-shorts.
Stretch the back more.
Listen to my own playlist before the race

Sat down.. took a break to put on socks and shoes.
Went to visit the porta potty.
Talked with my wife at the transition edge.
Ate a gel and walked out of T2 waited for my heart rate to come down a bit.
Got some sunscreen from my wife after crossing the mat. In retrospect - THAT was a smart move.
I'm surprised my T2 time was 4:17.. felt like 8:30..

On run out, my belt came undone, so I left my water and gels with my wife.
Turns out the belt didn't break, as I suspected.. the clip just came apart.

Spend time addressing the waterbelt problem before just disregarding it as broken - could have used the nutrition on the run.

Tough run mentally.
Was doing okay until about mile 5. At the turn-around, I expected all that climbing to pay-off as I would just coast down hill all the way to the finish.
It wasn't to be.
I dumped water on my head and drank a little at each stop. I walked far more than I liked, and felt pretty exhausted. Depleted. Worn.

SO Great to see some of my friends out cheering along the course.
Jon, Victoria, Stace, and Jess biked along to four stops along the way.
Had my own little fan club and I think it benefited both me, and some of the other racers as well. :)

My Wife threw me one of the gels (that I should have been carrying) at around 9, and it helped me keep going the rest of the way back. First time I've actively noticed a Boost after having a gel.

The size of the hill going up and into the park and another down to the finish was not expected.

Nutrition. Use it. Use more of it.

Scope out the transition area AND where the finish line is. - I keep forgetting to do this!

Ate some food, talked with friends and jumped back into the lake.



Nutrition on the run. Mental focus was worn down. Felt deflated


Fabulous clear water. Corner workers at every turn. Water stations at EVERY mile along the run. Great transition area.
I was not prepared for the hills on the run.