MedExpress Mountaineer Triathlon - Olympic Distanc - TriathlonOlympic

The water was really nice, not too warm but not cold either. When the siren went off, I knew I was going to swim steady but not go all out immediately. I wanted to get a rhythm going before I picked it up. I felt really good at the start. I was swimming fairly straight. Things were going well... about halfway through, I picked it up and trusting my swimming, I sighted less often. Coming up to the third turn, something happened. Some folks told me that the buoy was not aligned correctly with the others, or I drifted to my left too far, or a combination of both... Either way, I had to readjust and I am sure I lost 2-4 minutes on this mistake, which was truly my mistake because I didn't sight properly.
As I made the last turn, I swore I was feeling/fighting some current. I knew I was moving forward, but not all that fast. Other racers experienced the same thing... Once I got past that area though the last leg went well. I could feel the water rippling over my feet as they do when I am going hard. I came under the foot bridge to the exit area, pulled myself up onto the dock (I didn't want any help, although it was available), and started the run to the transition area (about 250 yds away).

Clearly sight better and not trust my straight swimming so much. I would have come much closer to my goal of 30 minutes in the swim had I done that right.

And frankly I don't know what I would do about that current. That's just something you have to deal with. And if I had it, others did too.

All in all I was not disappointed with the swim. I did a time that I had thought I would do.. just not what I know I could have done.

The run to the transition area was actually helpful. I was able to quell a slight bit of nausea and get my breathing under control before having to jump on the bike. I was also able to get my wetsuit stripped off the top half of my body. Unfortunately this was the first race with a wetsuit and I had never had a chip on my ankle. I probably lost thirty seconds with trying to get the right leg off. My arms were dead and for a moment it almost seemed like too much. So I pulled off the left instead and used everything I had to pull off the right. When it finally came I was thrilled. I had a short pair of ankle socks that went on easily enough. I had not had the guts to try the shoes already mounted to the pedals, so I got the shoes on (not bad since the velcro tops went smoothly -- I already had the shoes pulled open so my feet could slide in). I threw on the sunglasses, and then my helmet, ran the bike through the transition gate and jumped on and started pedalling. There were about four people getting things together where the bikes came out. I really didn't know what they were up to. That wasn't really a place to be congregating. As soon as I came out I was on the bike and moving.

Clearly the wetsuit could have gone better and despite practicing with a wet wetsuit, I didn't have a timing chip to put on my ankle. Ugh.

I could also try the pre-mounted shoes but I wonder about the efficacy of that maneuver when four people are straggling right outside the transition area. But all in all I thought it went smoothly. No surprises.

The course was a loop course, where we started out on roads that were right along the river so they were fairly flat. After about 8 miles, the road took a sharp left and we began a 4-5 mile gradual ascent. I have ridden this stretch several times before. Almost always I averaged 10-12 mph. But today I was racing, I was going 14-15 mph on this stretch. I thought it was awesome. When we hit a slightly steeper section near the end of this gradual uphill, some bikes bunched up. I was about 50 yards from the top and I threw caution to the wind and passed two people who were stalling as they neared the top. I was ecstatic.

I cranked going down the hill made the right onto US 19N, which continued downhill. I got to Wade's Run Rd went out that short distance and made the turn around, grabbed a bottle of water at the aid station (without stopping... I impressed myself). Then as I returned to US 19S, I hit the biggest hill on the bike course. Again I had done it several times before, so I knew what to expect. In training average speed up the hill was 5-6 mph, this day I didn't drop below 8 mph. And again, as I neared the top I was passing several folks who were stalling. But then the reward. The long downhill back to the river. I think I hit my max speed here -- 40 mph. I have to say that I have never ever blanched at going that fast downhill. I totally dug that today. I reached the river and was so stoked that I kept pedaling hard. I hit some wind gusts on the way back right before the bridge that I could have done without. But I was pleased when I got back to T2 and realized that my bike time was just about 1:30. That was something I thought I could do, but I hadn't ever done it.

This was one of my best rides ever. I really don't know what more I could do except ride more and get faster.

This also went smoothly... My rack was fairly close and my shoe change went well. The only snag was someone else's bike was over just a little too far and I had to slide his/her bike over a little. It was a minor hesitation, but I could have done without it.

Being able to pull my feet out of the shoes while riding is something that I can work on. And it would be great if I didn't have to move another person's bike.

Frankly this was a good run for me. I hit it hard. I didn't really pay attention to pace. I just ran. I felt a stitch forming in my side so I drank some Infinit sports drink at every aid station. After about mile three I didn't notice it anymore. I ended up running with a woman who was doing the run 8, walk 1 thing... we ended up spending a good deal of time side by side. Sometimes I was ahead of her, and sometimes she was ahead of me... but when we reached the 6th St hill, she started her walk and I kept running. I met the devil (or at least a guy dressed up like him). I gave him five and told him "Get thee behind me Satan!" because I figured that if he were behind me I was at least still moving up the hill! I walked the hill and was disheartened to find that Grant St continued uphill even for a little ways, then it dropped to Campus Drive, only to go up to University and then down around the loop and then back up once again to the Mountain Lair and mile marker 6... and here I knew I would finish under 3.5 hours. I only had half a mile and like 8-9 minutes to spare. How energizing... especially when I knew it was all downhill from there. The adrenaline got moving again and I got the legs striding downhill. I had a good finish. Interestingly enough, I ran this 6.5 miles at a faster pace (barely) than the 10k I ran two weeks previous.

Despite running hills, I needed something more on the hills. Most of the hill sections I walked.

I also think some hydration/nutrition issues hit me on the run as there were times when I felt that my tank was empty.

I grabbed some water and then some food... which was great. One of the better restaurants in town, Oliverio's catered the after race meal. They served tray after tray of rigatoni and lasagna. I found I needed to sit down for a bit with my wife and kids and I felt good. After the line had died down, I got a massage since my right hamstring was tight and achy. Then I just walked around and talked with people I knew. I heard Bill Rollins'(rollinsw) name called and I went to congratulate him. It was good to see another BT'er.



I think this being my first OLY was the biggest obstacle. I needed more training time on the bike, I think. Also I think the mental effort, while good on my part, could have been better. Mile 5-6 of the run I think I slipped a little mentally.



I have only done four tris so far. This was by far my favorite. Not only because I did well (for me)...

I stayed for awards where I received my 4th place XL2 plaque as well as a big bottle of hammer gel and a hammer gel flask. I guess the gel and flask were a thank you for folks who stuck around to actually receive their awards rather than take them and run.

The race was well-organized and the volunteers were great. I think Morgantown showed off some of its finest attributes today... the people here. I was proud to be a Mo-towner. I was glad to have been connected with this race. I will certainly do it again Lord willing and the creek don't rise.