Georgia Veterans Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I started off fast, and quickly was one of the first 3 in my wave. I was doing pretty good until we started catching up to the preceding wave, which happened within 100 yards. I made the mistake of going around the first guy wide, and the next thing you know I'm well outside with a big crowd inside me. Probably went out a bit too fast as well, because by 1/2 way I had to breath every stroke. Visibility sucked and I had two collisions which brought me to a dead stop both times. My new tri-shirt was loose and draggy, and didn't help much either. Time includes about 100-150 yard run to the transition area.

I'm getting very frustrated with my swim. I can swim 1:45/100 all day long in the pool, bilateral breathing, and relaxed. I can do 400 yds in the pool in 6:30 with effort. The night prior to the race I swam the course with my wife, not hard at all, and in fact stopped twice to wait for her, and it still only took 9:12. I didn't panic, I just didn't navigate well, and I didn't stay in the thick of the race as I should have.

I just need more experience in OW racing, and dealing with the mass confusion. Remember to stay relaxed.

Great and smooth T1. Fastest in my age group and one of fasted overall.

Nothing.

Tried to follow a race plan this time. Started out in zone 3 first mile or two, then began to push it up. I tried to not leave it all on the bike, and consequently tried to stay mid-zone 4 until the last 3 miles. At that point I kicked it in, and had my speed up to 24+ on a nice flat section, with HR right at LT (162). Tried using HEED for my race drink, which I have done twice in training without difficulties. Race day was different. Either I made it too strong, or it clashed with the cliff blocks I ate just prior to the race, because I had some abdominal discomfort from the last half of the bike through the end of the race..

Maybe push a little harder from halfway on, but I was trying to save some for the run. More races to help me get a better feel for the balance.

Unfortunately I came into T2 at the same time as the guy right next to me on the rack. Had a little trouble getting to my gear and letting him get to his. Other than that, which may have cost 10 secs or so I was pleased.

Nothing I could do really. More race experience.

EXCELLENT! I way surpassed my goal for this race, although it didn't feel like it at all. Came out of T2 with an easy gait, trying to get my legs under me, and my HR down a little. Having lots of bad wet burps. Tried drinking some water, but never more than a swallow per aid station as I did not want to walk, and those little dixie cups are hard to grab on the run without spilling half. At the halfway point a man in my age group told me I was looking good - as he pulled on by. (I think only 4 or 5 people passed me on the run this time.) Shortly after that I decided to pick up my pace and just go for it. I did, managing to catch two people, but in the last 3/4 mile I started having some chest pain even though I was just below LT. With my family history, it made me nervous, so I backed off for a couple of minutes, until it went away. Picked it back up, and let wne guy by at 200 yards to go, as he wasn't in my age group. Came to the chute, and was amazed at my time. I didn't think I had run anywhere near that fast.

All this HR training is paying off. 4 and 1/2 months ago I could barely run a mile, and that took close to 11-12 minutes. Now I'm down to 8 min miles in a tri. I'm psyched.

May use my fuel belt, the better to drink with. Also, if the chest pain becomes a recurring pattern I'm going to the cardiologist for clearance. I did a stress treadmill back in April, and all was good, but my dad, and both my grandfathers had heart attacks by 50-53 years old. That makes me a bit nervous regarding chest pain. Everything else is just pain, and I can push through it.

Walked around, drank two bottles of water and ate a protein bar. Found my kids and the babysitter and stayed at the finish waiting on Larissa and several friends in the race. It was great to have friends there, and cheer them in.


Swim - lack of experience, maybe the loose shirt just a bit.
Bike - poor nutrition choices, otherwise great.
Run - hydration, heat, base - but actually I am very happy.


Only my third race, and by far my best to date. My only dissapointment was in my swim. It was great, not just because of my performance, but because I had friends there. Nice venue, and fairly flat, even for a flatlander like me. The more I race, the more fun I have. This is a definite for next year, schedule permitting.