Evergreen Lake International Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Ok it may have been a perfectly respectable swim a year ago, but after having much BETTER swims at other races this swim really sucked!

The water temps were such that I could have worn a wetsuit IF I didn't want the race to count. So let me think about this, I have spent 65 bucks for the race, traveled 300 miles give or take a few, and I am going to throw it away for a wetsuit... aint no way.

I started middle of the pack about 4-5 people back. I did not go out hard, I just went out pretty easy. My arms felt a little heavy at the start, but nothing too horrible. One of the issues I had was never really getting comfortable in the water. I did not panic but nor did I feel like I was were I wanted to be.

I never really found "clear" water, sighting on the first side was pretty good. But about every time I felt like I was getting into a groove, I ran into someone. I would try to correct then felt like I was running off course. First turn was 7:00 into the race, about .2 miles. Once I made that turn I seemed to loose the ability to site.

Some where along the second side I sort of crashed mentally in this race. I was feeling frustrated because I could not see the bouys, and I could not fix on something else to sight on. I started switching to breast stroke to sight. Then I lost all confidence in my ability to hold a straight line. I was worried about giving up time by going off course, since this is a HUGE area, I also was thinking I could just go under and never be found. Pretty freaked and frustrated thinking I am losing SO STINKING MUCH TIME.

Breast stoking and crawl stroking through the rest of the swim. Had I felt less tired, and more confident that I was not going to go way off course, I think I could have done this course 4:00 minutes faster maybe more. It was just so slow.

So I was in full melt down by the time I was getting out of the water. Legs were pretty shot from the kicking in breast stroke, mind was gone from the "horrible" swim.

Not throw in the towel mentally. Figure out HOW the heck to sight better in open water, where all you can see is freaking TREES!

Ran up the slope to the bike, pulled off my swim cap. Popped the garmin from cap to arm. Threw on shoes and ran with the bike out of T1.

Little did I know that I was only 20-30 second behind at this point, IF that. Since McFuzz had his book he was reading during his transition. Sheeesss what a slow poke.

Nothing except not freak during the swim.

Not a whole lot to say about the bike. I passed a couple of people, was passed by a bunch more than I passed.

I had one corner that I took a little hard, but stayed on the road. There were no real hills only rollers.

Hit 29 at one point, that was a NICE little down hill and I was pushing pretty well there. Couple of the little baby climbs had me rolling at 13-14 MPH, not good.

Saw McFuzz as I was headed into the Transition area, I figured I was about 3:00 behind. I thought I had a chance at that point.

Maybe ride more. 10 days between rides does NOT a fast biker make.

Again no big deal in the tansition area. I have gotten pretty good because of all the races.

Nothing really, maybe get there faster.

As I headed out, I wanted to stay within my ability. No sense in heading out too fast then blowing up at mile 4-5. As you can tell from my splits, I really have missed the longer runs. A couple of good miles then slowing way down.

I checking my logs I see that I have 1 run of 7 miles since April 1. That is just not going to cut it. Had I been doing the miles I think I would have stood a much better chance of chasing McFuzz down. As it was I just plodded along trying to do the best I could.

I was happy to run a PR for this 10K. This is the first time I have broken 60 minutes on a 10K. Most of my races have been trail runs with a fair amount of up and down. This was flat and not too hot.

I can tell the running for me has come along. I am still no speed demon, but I was pretty happy with my time. I might have been able to put out just a little more, that is based on my HR readings. At mile 4 I should have kicked it up a little more.

Chances are there is a discrepancy in the mile times some where. I know I hit the lap key early, so I cut part of the transition time into the run time per my Garmin. That means the actual miles are off a little.... I just don't know which ones.

Run more of the long runs. Not let so much other stuff get in the way.

Walked around got a drink of water and powerade. Not much else, cheered the few finishers that were behind me on into the finish.

Not really sure where to put this. I know I am sounding pretty harsh. It was a good race, I was just disappointed that I didn't race better. I don't know that it was realistic that I could have beat McFuzz in this race. HAD I trained better I would have, but then I would have blown away the 3 hour mark at Ceasar creek too.

I have improved a LOT since last year, and I expect to keep getting better. McFuzz has this odd desire to race longer, I do not right now. I will race 2-3 Olys a year for the next couple of years, but I can not see moving up to the next distance anytime soon. My kids are too young, and my job requires too many hours, with too long a drive. IF I find a different job, then I might see about racing longer races. But as I have told my wife, different jobs could mean LONGER hours. And unless I am very blessed, it could also mean a longer drive. The worst of ALL worlds.


Mentally blowing up in the swim, not biking enough since June, not running enough since.... May.


It was a well done race, plenty of food, a race I can see doing again.