Pigman Long Course Triathlon - Triathlon

This was a weird type of out and back N shaped course that had most of us confused. Just about everyone there agreed to simply follow the leader, assuming that the leaders stayed on course we would be good.

The start was by division then broken down into a time trial start of one starting every 5 seconds. Before I knew it, it was my turn and I was off! With us being spread out there was almost no contact and I simply sited off the caps in front of me and only occasionally used the course markers for guidance.

Got to the turn around point and found a lady in my division to swim with. For the rest of the course I made sure that she stayed on my right side and I swam side by side her.

Twice when I started to swim faster than her I found myself between two groups of swimmers and alone. I flipped over on my back, took a breather and started back up when my swimming buddy caught up to me.

Exited that water feeling amazing, the best I every have on a distance swim. And I managed a non wetsuit PR too!!!

Nothing, happy with this swim

Got to my bike a sat down to wash off my feet, get them dried off, socks on, shoes on, helmet and sunglasses on, gel eaten, and I was off!

I was close to the swim enterance so I had a bit of a walk to the exit. I used this time to calmly walk my bike and get my gut under control. Got the mount area and get going smoothly.

Nothing

I was dreading this part. After a two mile trek out of the park was started out with four out and back loops. There was one large hill going into the park so each lap we did the hill climb twice for a total of eight climbs. I was not looking forward to this simply because I knew I was going to be bored out of my mind.

Anyway First loop went well, I was feeling great, zipped down the hill, hit the turn around, was tucked up on my aero bars and easily spun my way up the hill. Came back down with my tires screaming and a strong tail wind. Passed a crowd of people along the side of the road, hit the turn around and headed back. Did another easy spin up the hill to complete my first loop.

Second and third loops things where stating to warm up. Finished two bottles of my Tailwind, drank two bottles of water at the aid station and started in on the fourth loop. By this time I was bored, hot, starting to have hip pain, thirsty beyond all belief, and ready to be off the bike.

And to make matters worse it seemed that for all the wind that was blowing that day it never stayed in one direction. We would have little patches of a strong tail wind followed by a side wind and then another tail wind, for the entire course.

I was having a new impossible time of keeping my thirst under control. I would start by thinking that I'd only take a few sips from the bottle but ended up chugging almost a quarter of the bottle. Despite all this I felt like I was never caught up on my hydration.

Finally ended my four loops and made my way back to transition. Made it to the dismount area and felt very dehydrated.

Not sure.

Walked my bike back to my spot and promptly sat down to rest for a few moments. Got my running shoes on and gapped a bottle of Tailwind. Headed my way out to the run course and dreaded it.

Nothing

By the time I started the run it was HOT HOT HOT!!!!. This was yet another four loop course, and by now I'm completely over this "spectator friendly" loop thing.

First loop I walked just about all of it. Down the dam, back up the hill and hit the first aid station and dumped a bucket of cold water over my head and down my back. Felt so good! I'm sure I had steam running off my shoulders.

Up through the campers and got sprayed by some kids playing with their water guns. Looped back around and headed back to transition stopping at the water station for anther bucket of cold water.

Started the second loop at a very pathetic and slow job, the heat just took everything out of me. And I had all that water and fluid from the bike sloshing around in my gut making it even worse.

With no shade loops two and three where miserable. At the turn around point up by the campers someone finally set up a water station but was rationed ice. But at that point I was so happy just to have some extra fluids.

Half way through the second loop I started to feel the terrible tell tale het spots on my feet and knew I had multiple blisters in the making. Having to make the turn around to start loop four was mental torture. I was so hot and miserable, my feet hurt, I felt like my breathing was close to hyperventilation, my heart rate was completely out of control, I was needing fuel but my gut was just to upset to even attempt any of the course offerings.

Fourth loop was mostly a slow and painful walk in the hot sun, no shade, no more ice, no more dunking water, warm water at the aid stations. I was just over it. Over the race, over the loops, over the heat, and ready to be done. Finally got down the hill and for the last 100 feet or so I pulled it together just enough to "jog" across the finish line.

Collected my medal and collapsed on the nearest curb. Painfully pealed off my shoes and socks to revile a total of five sizable blisters. I laid down on my back and closed my eyes not caring any more. I was just so happy to finally be in the shade.


The heat, blisters.


Over all I like how the Pigman was run. Was not happy with the loops or how there was no shade on the run. However it was well run and on time. I may be back next year.