Arbour Lake Olympic Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

The swim was the driest part of the event. The first lap was the most difficult as I didn't know what to expect and was a little tight. After the first lap, I settled in quite well and tried to stay out of peoples way. I was only swam over once and only pissed off at one person. (he swam up on my left on his last lap, my second, and then cut me off to exit to transition. There was plenty of room on my right, closer to the exit, and I had to actually stop swimming) Also, on the last lap the wind created quite a chop, 8 - 12 inches.

Not sure of the transition time, so I have taken the difference from what my bike computer said, subtracted it from the bike time (it includes the 2 transitions) and divided it in half. I sat in the puddle in front of my bike and put the wet socks and shoe on then walked out to the bike portion. Grabb

Because everything was in bags, I forgot to get my fuel for the bike and just existed on the drink I had. I wanted to have a gel at the end of the first lap, and then at the end of the bike, but I ended up having 2 gels at the end of the bike.

This was the easiest part of the event for me, until the final half lap when my left hamstring began tightening up. I think there were 2 issues: the lack of fuel for the bike, and the fact that my right leg is noticeably shorter than my left.

Other than have a nice dry day, I would have placed my fuel in a more accessible place so I would remember it.

Again, sat in the puddle to change, but my runners and a second pair of socks were far enough in the bag to stay dry. Walked while I had a couple of gels and then started the run just 30 meters before exiting the lake.

Again, have the fuel in an easier place to reach.

I ran as much of the front half of the course as I could but had to walk up the hill and into the wind. I think I ran about 2/3 of the course over all. What I found amazing was how my body automatically increased the pace when I was within 200 meters of the finish.

There was not a lot I could do differently as I had to nurse a hamstring injury for the last 6 weeks so I only worked out on the elliptical trainer to maintain my endurance.

I had planned to stretch and such but because of the constant rain and wind, all I wanted to do was take my replenishing drink. After I drank it, I started to get really cold so I just dried off and changed into dry clothes and went for a bourbon and beer.


The lack of fuel on the bike, as well as the lack of training for the run. I could do nothing about the run, as mentioned above, and the lack of fuel was attributable to the weather not allowing a first timer to lay things out in an orderly fashion.


As this was my first event, I have nothing to compare it to, but based on my experience, the only thing lacking was the weather, and I will not hold the organizers accountable for that.