Pinehurst International Triathlon - Triathlon

64/208 Males

Swim is getting better, but no where near where it needs to be.

The start is a swim right into the sun. Tinted goggles are a must, otherwise you feel like a salmon just following the other swimmers.

This lake is shallow. I thought I could see the bottom a few times, while I was out in the middle! I kept imagining huge fish down there looking up at us.

Swam within my ability, but just noticed ppl passing me left and right. Wah.

Swim more.

Ran to bike, got ready, ran out. I stumbled on the timing mat and tried to jump on my bike a little after. My foot slipped off the shoe and my toe and foot PLOWED into the asphalt. That REALLY hurt.

I looked down and noticed part of my big toenail and skin where ripped off. I then saw blood start to gurgle and cover my foot....

Not get hurt!

33/206 Males

Back to the mount line. Toe was stinging and the blood was still gurgling. I stood there for a full minute contemplating whether to race or DNF. I finally decided to just attempt to ride and see what happened.

I stuck my foot, very carefully, into my cycling shoe and went on. Boy, that hurt. I could not press down very hard, but managed to get up to speed and was off.

I started to get into the race again and started to catch a few cyclists, but I could not go 100%, especially up hills. Anytime I rolled over a rough part of road, the pain caused me to back off.

After a while, i noticed that the part of my cycling shoes that were mesh had turned pink, then red. Great...still bleeding. At this time, I guess I got a penalty b/c I wasn't close to the edge of the road It was kind of wet and the shoulders dropped off. An official rode by and I was in the middle of the road. He went around me and I noticed the girl on the back was writing down something. I gave them a mental "F you for judging me!".

I saw Scott Moomaw, wished him well, and just kept pushing it as hard as my foot would allow. Not in a happy place, as I expected to ride a 1:20-1:21 on this course today.

Rolled into T2, came out of my cycling shoes, and gently dismounted.

Meh.

I have asked the RD to tell me why I got a penalty. Why don't they just post it in the results?

I didn't want to look at my foot, so just put on sock and shoes and ran out. Took my time in T2.

Run hurt, plain and simple. Caught up to Scott and chased down anyone in front of me. Foot hurt, then went numb.

Ran as fast as I could without causing too much pain. I must have looked funny, kind of like Igor, doing a run/limp the whole time. The worst part was descending the hills. Oooooowchiiiieeee. Toe'd get jammed into the front of the shoebox.

It was nice to see a bunch of AGs and fast 40+ d00ds running hard. They were all having great races and I just encouraged them as I passed. I got a few, "why are you limping?" comments, but I just told them I hurt my foot on the bike. No time for conversations! :)

Paramedics bandaged foot. It looked pretty gross.


Toe injuries hurt. I will try not to get one before a race again...

Very surprised to have still gotten 3AG in M35-39. I was aiming for a 2:30ish and an AG win. ;)


Loved seeing everyone out there, having a great time! Could not have asked for a better day!