Turtleman Triathlon - TriathlonLong Course

They did this swim as a time trial start, which I kind of liked. Here is the bad. The lake was disgusting, filthy, gross and putrid. No wet-suits were allowed because of the water temps, which is cool if you don't have seeweed hanging off your body for the entire swim. It was gross...period. Did a run in from the beach every three seconds. After about 50-75 feet you started slipping in the soft silt as it slowly wound up to your knees. Water was murky brown at best. I was able to find some feet to draft off of for awhile and made good progress on the way out. You had to stay very close though, anymore than 1-2 feet away and you totally lost site of the draftee. Checked my watch at the midpoint and I was doing good, under 15 minutes. Then things got hard. I couldn't see the buoys or much of anything else for that matter. Swimming right into the sun and my gogles kept fogging. I probably swam an extra 100-150 yards zig zagging back anf forth on the way back.

I need to learn how to swim straight and site better. I am averaging 1:35's in the pool after 2,000 yards. No excuse for being over 2:00 minutes.

First triathlon where you could ride bike in transition. Can't figure out why I was so slow.

I think the course was closer to 21 miles than 23, but I won't complain. I kept my effort farly low here because I was trying to pace for next weeks HIM. Ate 2 shot blocks every 20 minutes and that was difficult. Last 7-8 miles was mostly into the wind and that beat my legs up more than I should have let it. I should have eased off, but at that point I had a pretty good pace going and wanted to keep it up.

Stopped and picked up the gelbot (combination water bottle and gel holder) I saw abandoned on the course.

Another transition that should have been faster, whats up with that?

This run was tough. First 3 miles went pretty well and was averaging about 9:10 or so. I should have gone out slower. Had a nice shower come through for about 5 minutes and then it was like turning on a furnace. Left knee started to hurt pretty bad at this point also. Basically walked and slow jogged the rest of the way in. This makes me very nervouse for Pigman next week. I HAVE TO start out much slower.

Start out slower

Was not feeling to good at this point. Was pretty hungry and needed some suger. Drank a few bottles of water and a few Mountain Dews and waited for stomach to settle so I could eat something. Then waited for Kelly to get in.


The heat and the wind were tough.


I'm having troubles with comparing this race to Heart of the Lakes. I really loved everything about that race. This one just seemed to come up a bit short. Maybe it had more to do with the weather. Although the swim was a complete downer. But it was my first Oly and I guess I have to be happy that I finished under my goal time. Not sure I would do this one again next year.