Tri for Real #2 - TriathlonOlympic

This is only my 2nd Tri, but I felt way better than the 1st. Got off to a good smooth start and actually got into some drafting for a little bit. Sighting was easy to the first buoy since it was two giant reactors in the distance. Eventually broke off on my own and fell into a great rhythm up to and around the first buoy. Once we turned, I couldn't really see where the next buoys were since it was right in the sun. Fortunately, I could see the two waves in front of me heading out in a general direction. Other than drifting a little inside, I was feeling good and swimming at a good pace. Started to tire a little bit heading into home, but it was definitely a comfortable effort.

Work on maintaining a more-consistent breathing pattern. Even though I felt good, I still caught myself breathing way too much on the last leg.

Didn't have any trouble getting the wetsuit off. Seemed to be moving fine until it was time to fasten my borrowed helmet. It took me 10 seconds just to try and connect the straps. Yuck. Not really sure of the time but it was neither fast nor slow.

Bring own helmet. Practice the shoes-already-on-bike thing.

I knew this would be my worst of the three legs due to the fact that I just wasn't training enough on the bike. Seemed to catch my breath quickly and start off well keeping pace with a few riders. Since I was done with the swim fairly quickly, there weren't too many riders on the course yet. My new goal was to see how far I could get before the leader came by me on the other side. One thing I quickly noticed on this ride was that we seemed to be heading mostly downhill heading out. I quickly realized that this would make for a fun finish heading up hill. I was so glad I added aero bars for this race - made a huge difference since it was mostly flat and the hills weren't steep. After about 8 miles, I saw the leader flying by the other way. My average speed was still around 20 MPH and I was very happy with that. Even with the annoying helmet straps, I felt ok about my pace for the first half heading to the turnaround point. It was here, that I wasn't sure how I was going to do for the rest of the bike ride. I wanted to stay at the same pace but I wasn't sure how much of a toll this would take on me heading to the run. After hitting mile 20, my cash and prizes were basically numb and ready to kick my butt. All I wanted to do was get the heck off the bike. Finally, I saw the crazy, enormous smoke stacks and knew that I was just about done. Heading up the final hill (about 2 miles to go), I couldn't wait to be done. Turned the corner to transition area and saw my dad standing there happy to see me (I was so happy to see him and gave him a nice chuckle as I passed) I remembered to snap my shoes out (wasn't ready for the barefoot maneuver since I haven't been practicing) and jumped off my bike without taking myself or anyone else with me. Short run to my spot and leg #2 was done! What a happy bottom. Ended up averaging 18.1 MPH. Not great but an improvement over my first Tri.

Get on the bike more! Just need more ride time. Would like to get the average pace to at least 20 MPH. Also need to get my bike in better position for the aero bars - don't think it's aggresive enough.

Not bad at all here. Quickly racked my bike and got out of my shoes and into my running shoes. Took a nice big drink of water and then headed off (almost forgot my race number belt). Body was feeling surprisingly well at this point. I was glad that I had switched my run training to sockless. Definitely a time-saver there.

Work on going barefoot off the bike next time.

I was actually looking forward to the run since I think I've made the most improvement in training here. However, it was already getting hot when I started so I knew this might be tough. Passed my dad as I left T2 and he gave me a high-five for good luck (family support is the best part about these races!) Legs didn't feel too bad but I made sure to keep a rather slow-comfortable pace. Was basically chasing 2 runners for the 1st mile and it seemed to go very quickly. We hit the 1st aid station at 1.5 miles and I grabbed some water (to drink and cool off) and electrolytes (to drink) and kept moving. For the next 2.5 - 3.0 miles, the same guy that I was chasing kept in front of me and had a nice pace that I was happy to try and keep up with. Every once in awhile, he would pull a little ahead but I was always able to stay close. When we hit the 2nd to last aid station (about mile 3.5/4.), we both stopped to drink and pout water, but I was able to take off quicker and that was the end of him. At this point I began to realize that my earlier pacing was paying off. I was starting to catch more people (ooh, some age-groupers!). Hit the final aid station at close to mile 5 and drank and poured two cups of water in/on me and kept on going. Besides the final quarter-mile to the finish line, it seemed that the last mile was all up hill. I could feel my body warning me that the end might be near if you don't (a) finish or (b) get some more fluids into your body. I kept up my pace as well as I could. With about 1/2 mile to go, a lady came puffing by and (I love this too!) we both threw some encouragement at each other and that was all I needed. I used her pace to take me up the hill and I knew I was golden. I took a look behind me and noticed that nodody was within 1/4 mile of me. The only thing left was to finish strong and find my family. With about 200 yards, I found my dad. Then with about 50 feet to go, I saw my wife and kids and ran over to the side where they were at. Since nobody was behind me, I grabbed both of my kids (1 and 3) and "carried" them across the finish line. Yeah! 1st Olympic distance complete!

Train harder - build up the LT levels. Might have to work on the fluid efficiency.

Drank water and gatorade and then jumped into the lake to cool off. Didn't really do much else. Body was tired but I felt better than I expected. (Remembered later that night that I forgot to stretch)


Obviously, training on the bike would have helped. Getting through the transitions faster would help.


My first olympic distance triatlon (and 2nd period) I feel really good about the whole experience. I think I trained well for this (minus some shortcuts in the bike training) and it paid off. Compared to my first triathlon in April, my body recovered much quicker. Besides finishing, my goal was to be somewhere close to 2:30 and hitting 2:34 was close enough. Can't wait to see the splits when they're posted. Looking forward to the next challenge!