Tempe International Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Swim start was confusing as many groups had the same color swim cap, if you weren't paying close attention, it would have been easy to miss your group. Also, the swim course was confusing as the sprint group course seemed changed from the packet leading the oly groups to question which buoys we were to go around.

Personally the swim went extremely well for me, I felt great throughout, breathing remained in control, and only on occasion did I get swam over or bumped (usually around the buoys). My sighting was great and my lines to the buoys were kept strong. I've heard from many that the swim course seemed long, being only my second Oly (last was 3 years ago, I couldn't tell the difference) but using the distance listed on the race site, 1500 meters, I'm at 2:15/M including the swim exit & run to transition. In future races, I would like to get it closer to 2:00.

Swim was excellent for me, personally, sighting was great, stroke felt strong, breathing was also strong. To perform better, I think I need more OWS training in addition to greater focus on stroke development with sighting.

Took extra time to spray down feet and get socks/shoes on. Jersey/helmet on quickly and I was out.

Move through transition routine faster. Get comfortable without socks.

The bike leg is by far my strongest of the three, started out strong averaging 24mph on first leg. Thanks to my new aerobottle, keeping properly hydrated was not an issue, I went through 1 gatorade and two waters throughout the course. Course felt real fast, two downhill sections speeds were over 30mph. With the exception of one uphill section, course felt pretty flat.

Work on cornering/turns...another racer in age-group and I were neck and neck throughout the course. Constantly I would pass him on the straight-aways only to have him smoke me through the turns...he got the best of me on the last turn and cranked through the last leg to edge me on the bike.

Tried a riding dismount as I had practiced on my last few rides, but I didn't start to get my shoes off in time, so was only to get one foot out. The other I had to unclip, unbuckle shoe and take off prior to working through the dismount area. Thanks again to the pink ribbon, I easily located my transition slot and quickly through on my hat/shoes and was off.

Practice more riding dismount.

Certainly not my strongest event, but for me I performed well. Staying hydrated was key. I toyed with the idea for days on whether or not to wear my hydration belt and was certainly glad that I did. I had prepared to not take it, but once hearing that there would not be any sports drinks on the course, I knew that it would be essential to my performance. I managed to pace well, taking drink/walk breaks every 4-5 mins the first 5k, second 5k I worked off of feel, when I was ready for a drink I'd walk. At each aid station, I'd grab water to dump over my head/shoulders/back to cool off. Stairs at mile 5 were rough, I stepped up to the first two and found my stride to be off, so I double-timed it up the rest skipping every other, trying to mimic my run pace, finished strong the last mile trying to give it whatever I had left.

Get out faster, I held back a bit at on the first 5k worried about bonking.

Walked finish line looking to spot any BT tattoo's/jerseys, drank plenty of fluids


Course lacked sports drinks at aid stations/organized start. Course site was clean and well marked.