Tri the Parks - Richard B. Russell State Park - TriathlonOlympic

I started off ahead of the pack by running for the first several yards before diving in. I felt pretty strong but then kept getting a bubble of air in my tri shorts. This got annoying, so I kept reaching back to adjust my shorts to let the air out. What a weird feeling. This hasn't ever happened at a race before. This was my first swim in these shorts without a wetsuit. Maybe the shorts are too big. Oh well. Gotta keep wearing them to promote Snickers Marathon. :)
The bubble of air finally went away after 200 meters. The rest of the swim felt pretty long. While I started off ahead, I saw a couple of women pass me in the water. Wasn't my best swim.

I need to swim more often. I've only be swimming once every 2 weeks. Which obviously isn't enough.

I had a great spot in the transition area...right next to the bike exit. I didn't wear a wetsuit or socks and I kept my sunglasses attached to bike my so I didn't spend seconds putting them on in T1. All this shaved time off T1 where I had the fastest T1 time of all women. Not bad! :)

I competed in this race last year and thought I remember the bike course being fairly flat with only 1 or 2 hills. WRONG! On mile 2 there was a huge hill that seemed to last forever. After that, I thought it would be flat the rest of the way. No so much. There were several challenging hills on the last half of the course. But overall, I felt great on the bike and tried to save a little for the run.

I need to get race wheels!

Coming into T2, I made sure to take my feet out of my bike shoes early because I remembered the huge hill I had to climb out of T1. Glad I did. My breaks were squealing so loud as I slowed down on the fast downhill into T2. I loved the spot in transition...I didn't have to run far with my bike. I had a great T2 time with the 2nd fastest time of all women.

I developed a horrible cramp in my left calf during the first mile. It was so painful that I almost stopped to stretch it out. But, I convinced myself to keep running and try to push through it. The cramp never went away, but I stuck it out as best I could and tried to ignore the pain. Wasn't my best run, but I will definitely remember to take more endurolytes next time!

Carry endurolytes with me on the bike and take 2 capsules right before the run.

Cramps in my leg. I guess I needed more electrolytes.


Overall, I like this course. Just not crazy about the 2 hour drive each way to get to the race.