Deer Creek Triathlon - Olympic - TriathlonOlympic

While out warming up, I suddenly realized they were calling my AG to start. I got to the line with enough time, but kind of threw me off mentally. I should've been paying closer attention. Anyway, I started in the back and got caught up in the mix of bodyparts. It really wasn't too bad but I was tired right away. I remember feeling very tired right from the start and thinking I still have a long way to go. It took awhile to get into my groove, but once I did, I was ok. I could feel my arms getting tired from sight breathing, I really need to practice that more in the pool. My navigation was average but could've been better. I tried to look for some drafting victims, but didn't have much luck. Got behind a few fast swimmers from later waves but couldn't keep up with them for very long. Overall, the swim was a bit slower than I'd hoped, but not too bad really. The time also included a run uphill to T1.

Practice more sight breathing in the pool. Also some sprints for 100-200 yds to practice the intial start and then recovery.

Had a decent T1 but it could've been better. Had a little trouble with getting wetsuit off of ankles. Then while running to mount line, bike lost balance and banged into my leg knocking my shoe of the pedal. Only the second time I've left shoes on the pedals for a race. Worked great in a duathlon but failed me here. I stopped grabbed the shoe, then put it on at the mount line. Put on the other shoe while riding. I really only lost a few seconds here.

Keep practicing.

Bike started off really well and was I moving along at a great pace. My goal was to finish with a 19mph pace for the bike section and I was keeping steady over 20mph. Feeling good staying aero and just hammering away. Early in the first lap, I noticed a guy off the side of the road with a flat who clearly didn't have a spare. I yelled to him that I would try to find him some help and notified the next officer a couple miles ahead. Thinking I had done my good deed for the day, I felt safe. Unfortunately that was not to be. Towards the end of the second lap with about 3-4 miles to go I hear the dreaded whistle of the flat tire. Very dissappointing since I'd been doing so well. I just decided to go with the flow and get it changed. I couldn't help but to feel "deflated" though, and I just didn't have the same energy after that. It took me 8-9 minutes to change the flat and get on my way. Needless to say, I was glad I had a spare. Hopefully I got that experience out of the way. This was more of a training race for Steelehead 70.3 in August, so I guess I got some good tire changing training in!

I drank two bottles of half water half Gatorade Endurance. Planned on drinking a third, but it was not very hot and I was feeling a little bloated. Ate two gels also.

I also was experiencing some "gas" problems during the bike that later contributed to problems on the run (sorry to the people behind me). I was a little worried that the gas may turn into a "solid", so I was afraid to let it go. I started to get all clogged up which was the start of a bad run. I sometimes get a little gassy after swimming. Not sure if it's from breathing or from going horizontal to vertical rather quickly. Anyone else experience this problem?

Nothing much I could do about the flat tire. Not sure about the gas thing, maybe change my diet or get up earlier to make sure to fully evacuate. Without the flat, I would've had a great bike time, probably best ever.

T2 went fairly well, although frustration from the flat was clearly evident. I had put all my tire changing equipt into the pockets of my tri jersey. I had to get all that crap out but other then that, things went smoothly.

Nothing

Started off the run still feeling a little frustrated because of the flat. I began battling some gut problems almost immediately. Not to sound funny, but it felt like I needed to let a really huge fart! I couldn't really do that though in fear of it being a really big shart! Because of this, I felt like I was never really able to open up my stride. I felt cramped and bloated. First couple of miles were tough and I could use some more brick sessions. I'm not a fast runner anyway, but a little faster than this. I just kep trucking along and tried to suck it up. Luckily it was a completely flat course. I was not able to drink much at all during the run but did drink some water. I also dumped a lot of water on my head as the sun was coming out and it was getting warm. I walked a couple of aid stations and a few other brief times. At about mile four I couldn't hold my pee anymore and snuck into the woods. That helped a little but still battled the gut issues. At the end I was able to sprint to the finish and beat out another guy, although he actually started later than me so he really beat me.

Work on diet and nutrition issues. Do some more bricks.

Just the usual walking around. Drank some water but couldn't really eat right away.


Flat tire, gut issues. --Initially, I was pretty frustrated by this race experience due to the problems I had. The more I thought about it, I felt a little better. I overcame the obstacles I was presented with and did the best I could and still finished with a smile. I love the sport of triathlon and the way I feel after finishing a race. The feeling of accomplishment is to be compared to none!


As usual, HFP does a great job coordinating these races. The race ran smoothly and was a lot of fun. My only suggestion would be to put some port-o-johns out on the run course. I may have been able to solve all my problems with a john.