Pleasant Prairie Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Initially the swim was going great. Got off to a fast start and settled in to a comfortable stroke. Rounded the first buoy in great shape and started along the long leg of the triangle. From here, hell in a handbag is the best way to describe it. Got way way off course. Didnt really have any feet to follow because I kept cathching feet and passing them. Decided to head to the outside for clearer water and just got out in left field. Thought I was sighting ok but was having trouble with the glare. There were not intermediate buoys between the rounding buoys and my goggles were fogging so my nav got really inaccurate. I'd say I got a good 150ft of course on one occasion and 50 feet or so on another. Probably added at least one, maybe two minutes to my time. I tried to clear my goggles once but when I stuck my face back in the water they leaked so I had to stop again. My only critisism of the race is I'd like to see some intermediate buoys along the back stretch of the swim.

About avg time for me. I tend to not rush in the transitions and it costs me a little time each race. But my focus is still making sure everything is set for the bike and I have all of my stuff.

Next time I buy bike shoes, I may try to find some with velcro instead of laces. May help speed up my T1 time some.

Pushed a little harder on the bike than normal because I was familiar with the course. Still didnt hit my mph goal (20mph) or my time goal (1:15:00) but came pretty close to both. I think I could have pushed just a little harder and made both goals, but overall, it was a slight improvement from last year so I'll be happy with that.
Would like to say "Thank You" to the woman from the "Accent Adventure" team (I think that is what her jersey said) who I rode the last few miles with as we trading off passing each other. She would pass me on the flats and I would pass her on the hilly portions. She made a comment about it as we entered the last mile or so that made me laugh. We both pushed each other that last mile.

Need to spend more time on the bike and build up the engine more. I have often wondered what time advantage going to a true tri-bike would give me over my converted road bike, but I can't imagine pushing much harder and having anything left for the run.

There was a dismount line so not much jumping off the bike involved. Had a hard time running with the bike (oh, this was the sign of things to come). Legs were not cooperating. The actual time was a little better than last year but could have been lower if I had ran with the bike to the rack.

Disappointed. About six minutes slower than last year. First 1.5 - 2 miles, I just could not get my legs to work properly. It took to about the point where the Sprint event people turned around and started to head back before my legs cooperated. I tried to pick up the pace and for periods had a good pace going, other times, just fell flat. I was carrying a gel with me and know that I should have taken it, but my stomach was feeling "uncooperative" and I wasnt sure that was going to be a good idea.

As with the bike, more training needed (need to bump up the intensity of the BRICK training for next year). I can run pretty comfortable at times off the bike, other times, it seems like the legs are lead weights.

Met up with Hangloose, his wife, and Schmize in the exit area and shared initially horror stories with each other (looked around for some bags for Schmize so he could carry around some of his sand with him..haha).
Then waited to cheer on CindyK, Whizz, Laura and some of our other friends as they finished.
Met up with the PP Challenge folks after a while and had a good time just talking and hanging out. It was a great group. The pictures from dinner the night before and from the post race tell it all.


Nothing other than me! Even though my time was a little bit slower than last year, I still feel like I had a good race. I may have been able to pick up some on the bike, but who knows how slow the run would have had to be then.


I really like this race. Its well organized, lots of volunteers, seems to be well attended by athletes of all skill levels,
I only have two critisims:
1 - As previously mentioned, I'd like to see some spacing buoys on the backstretch of the swim.
2- What happened to the water bottles? Last couple of years they gave out the best water bottles during the event..this year...cups of water on the bike....are we kidding here??? But then again, the goody bag did have a really cool tribag and how many events can you say that about!!

It really is a great course and race and I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to do their first Oly distance race.