Otter Limits Triathlon - Triathlon

My wife bought me the Total Immersion swimming book, so I've spent the whole winter and spring learning to swim the Terry Laughlin way. I certainly felt like I was swimming smoother, and not getting as tired, but who know if it was faster. Since the swim was cancelled at the Whaling City tri, this was my first competitive swim for a comparison time. Happy to report I was faster, but not by much - only about 3 minutes quicker than 2 years ago. But I also lost a good bit of time - maybe a minute or two, because I had to stop and adjust my goggles, and they were pretty scratched up, so sighting was not easy.

Make sure to buy new goggles a couple of weeks before a race. Get into the water a little earlier. I think I can go faster than this, as I know I am still pretty slow on the swim. Keep working on the Total Immersion technique - overall I think it has had a positive impact on my swimming and my wife says I look a lot smoother now (which is the important thing...)

Not good but not a disaster either - lost a few seconds putting socks on, but no big deal.

Hot and hilly... See last time's report for details of the hills on this ride and my speeds for each mile this time were very similar. I knew what to expect, but with 80+ degree weather and very humid, the hills seemed a lot tougher this time and the downhills much shorter. Concentrated on drinking plenty in advance of the run. Passed a few and didn't get passed by too many, but I was a slow swimmer in the last wave, so that was no big surprise.

Despite the heat, managed a whole 0.1 mph faster on average, so I was okay with it.

Had a spot in first row closes to the in and out gates, so this was easy-off, easy-on, no problems

Hot and pretty miserable. By now it was almost noon and the temp was probably mid-80's, sunny and very humid. The good news was that I managed to avoid cramps in my legs, which has been a recurring problem for me. So ran the whole way, except for the long hill up to the dam at the end of mile 5. No excuses, just couldn't keep running.

Not much. I know I can run faster on a cooler day, but I don't do well in the heat, hence the choice of Fall races. And pretty much everybody was hating life on the run today. But plenty of salt and lots of hydration kept the cramps away, so I felt okay with that.

Soaked in the lake - felt pretty good


The heat. I ended up completing the race 1 min slower than last time, when the temp was about 60 degrees with low humidity. Given the casual training and attitude this summer after training for an HIM last year, and the fact that this wasn't my A race, and the increase in temperature, and being 2 years older, I'm okay with this time and feel I could easily have gone faster on a cooler day.


This is a not an easy course - 1000 ft of ascent and descent on the bike, plus up and over the dam on the run. So just understand what you're getting into. That said, it was well-organized, with plenty of volunteers and good signage this time round. Could have used one more drinks station on the run, though. Subdued post-race, but that's in keeping with the overall vibe. I didn't see any food for racers right after the race, but had to leave quickly, so could have missed it. But overall, the price is right and this is a relaxed, scenic and friendly race.