Englewood YMCA Triathlon - Triathlon

Lesson #1 was right at the beginning. I have it in my head that I am slow (which I am). This then gives me the idea that I need to seed myself back a bit. The result is now I am behind slower swimmers that think they are Mark Friggin' Spitz. And I end up not able to get around the 3 of them swimming with one another. So, by the time we hit the first buoy, I have used more energy and gone further than I need too. Add in my limited swim abilities and it made for a rough day in rough water. On the plus side is that I finished in bad conditions in a minute less than last year, so something went right. That something was focus, from what I could tell. Another note is that I did see Kenny the lifeguard heading over on the paddle board to someone behind me that was struggling. I heard later that a couple of people were pulled from the water.

Seeding. Oh yeah, learning to swim would help, but if you've read one of my reports before, you know how well I have NOT learned that lesson.

This was a pretty good tran 1 time. The run into transition is a bit of a distance. Glasses, helmet on quick. Feet cleaned a bit on the rug went not as quick as I have in the past. Stumbled through getting socks on, then out to the line. Shoes on the bike are a big plus, except...
I got to the line and my arms felt like jello from fighting the water. So, I climbed on and rode off instead of the postman start that I have practiced. I feared my arms. Got shoes on and up to speed a bit slower than I'd have liked, but not bad.

Work on the mount. Overall, this was still good and I can see 30 easy seconds to be gained with a bit of practice. Lesson #2 learned.

I had crashed out on this course 2 years ago on the bike in somewhat these same conditions, so I went into it careful. This was part of my expectation adjustment that I had done earlier. The bike went well once I got into my shoes. BTA bottle is a God send, as it keeps the water right in your face. I just kept sippin'. Out of aero at Middle Beach, there is sand/mud/puddles there. Then it was up to the turnaround, where I yelled "Hey" to Sue and Tattoo Frank who always work that part of the course, and got back up to speed quickly. The next adjustment came when I hit the Gel and it was not going down. I wrapped it tight and dropped it back in the bento and kept going. I figured that I was not racing long and I'd evidently had all the salt my body could take ;) so I just kept sippin' on water. I stayed on it to the end, pulled my feet out of the shoes about .25 out from dismount and kept spinning to the end. Rolling dismount went pretty well, except for the fact that this year the mount and dismount lines were not the same. WTF. Every year prior there is one line, this year dismount is 10 feet in front of the mount line. So I overshot it by 10 ft, but I looked good doing it.

Push a little more, but all in all, I am happy with the bike. PJ (my Jamis tri bike) is comfortable as can be and lets me "stay low and just go". Oh yeah, course recon would be suggested as well. Lesson #3.

Rolled in after dismount moving pretty well. Helmet strap undone on the way in. Racked bike, no problem, dropped helmet, grabbed shoes for run. Slipped on right foot and stumbled. "CRAP, get it together!" Fixed it, then on to the left shoe next. SSDS (Same Sh!t, Different Shoe) "Come ON, get it together!" Finally on, grabbed the visor and belt and off I went.

Not stumble?!?! I've done this T1 in 45 seconds, so I know it can go better, but, Meh, it isn't going to be the difference between a podium spot or not.

Every year I walk parts of this. It has been my nemesis since I started doing races at this race 4 years ago. I have walked in every race since then and that was about to change. My entire focus for the past 3 weeks has been these 3.1 miles. And it worked. I finally had a run that points me in the right direction and gives me hope that improvement is in sight. It is all mental at this point in a race and I was able to keep focus and keep moving in the right direction. No matter who passed me, and trust me there were a number of folks who did, I just kept plodding forward. Lesson #4 was learned and it is the biggest take away. Keep focus, keep YOUR race in mind, and keep going!

Go faster?!? At this point, that is all, but I am truly pleased with this run, no matter how slow it was.

Wander over to the sprinkler tent and drink a bopttle of water. Walk around a bit more, than pack it up and head for the house.


Genetics. Ability. Training. Form. You can choose any or all of these and be on target, but none of it mattered. I PR'd the course, and learned many valuable lessons that I hope to put into play at Venice in September. The biggest part of this was what I hope is a mental breakthrough. I'm finally starting to get comfortable with some of this, after 4 years.


It seems that Mike the RD is getting his sh!t together. This year was better than last from an organizational standpoint. I'd love to know the reason behind the dismount and mount line thing, but that is the way it is. So, know the course and race the course, ie Lesson #3.