Callaway Gardens Triathlon - TriathlonOther

This wade/wave start isn't the most ideal, but I think I handled it much better than I did at the Sprint race earlier this season. Didn't try to start in the front this time. Still had a lot of bodies around me, but I was able to hold my ground and was able to maneuver around the few swimmers slower than me. Wore ear plugs in my ears as I'm still recovering from a case of swimmer's ear I've been fighting all week.

Not have an ear infection and have to wear ear plugs. More OWS practice. Need to work on my swimming speed.

Didn't realize I'd taken so much time. May have been affected by the size of the TA. I took the time to put drops in my infected ear to help it dry out. Took a shot of Hammer Gel.

Work on the shoes pre-clipped into pedals maneuver so I can get out quicker.

I love this course. Passed people left and right. Nobody passed me until the end of the second loop. Two guys overtook me on a 90 degree corner. I passed one of the guys shortly afterwards and the other guy finished the bike leg just in front of me. At one point, I passed a guy and he complimented me on how well I was handling the hills. I was wondering...WHAT hills?.

Not much. Need to remember it's not a good idea to attempt to clear out my nose while in the aero position...ran off the road, into grass, but stayed up (thank God).

The entrance to the transition area was at least one row down from where my stuff was. Had to cross over a rock border/grassy enbankment with my bike. Took another shot of Hammer Gel. Headed to the TA exit with my biking gloves still on. Had to double back to get rid of them.

Study the TA bike entrance before the race. Not forget to take off my gloves.

I was SLOW. Lots of people passed me. I felt better during this run than I did at West Point Lake, just wish I could conjure up a little more speed.

Build a more solid running base. Increase distances on my run/bike bricks.

They didn't have any Gatorade left at the refreshment stand. Got a couple cups of (warm) water and a bannana. Walked slowly back to the transition area to get my stuff. Got all packed up, draped my bucket handle over my brake hood and rode back to the car. Didn't stay for the award ceremony...just headed home for a shower.


Mediocre swimming and lack of energy/endurance on the run.


Swim distance was less than advertised. I do NOT like the wade starts in waves. Swimming in Robin Lake is great, though. The transition area could be organized better with rack assignments and reduced length. But at least they did have enough racks this time. As I said before, I love the bike course. The race director described it as a "technical" course. Something like six 90 degree turns per loop. The run course was good too. Overall a fun race.