Tugaloo Olympic Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

It was a time trial start - two at a time running from beach which was interesting and new to me. I swam a very slow, but steady pace. I never got too out of breath - probably stayed in Z2 for the whole swim. I need to work on pacing in this regard. I was very worried about the swim so I wanted to conserve my energy for fear I wouldn't be able to finish it. In the end, I realized I could've pushed a little harder. I must've been on another planet, but the guy saying "go" had to remind me to pull my goggles on! Then I forgot to start my watch so I stopped to start it once I was in the water. My navigation was mediocre -- I rounded the buoys pretty close, but I swam pretty wide a few times. I did okay on sighting, though. The worst thing was my goggles fogged BADLY at the same time that I stopped 3 times to take my goggle off and dip them in the water. When I got out of the water I was very calm, relaxed and really not very tired so I was all smiles. I was so nervous before the race about the swim that I was THRILLED at how I felt coming out of the lake.

1. work on pacing - too fast vs. slow (finding a happy medium)
2. work on sighting/navigation
3. deal with google fogging issue
4. remember to start watch

My heart rate spiked through the roof after I came out of the water and began running up the hill. I stopped and walked just to calm down and get my heart rate back to normal.Then I resumed running to transition.

Would run with bike and jump on. Next time, no need to stop and put on socks.

Someone had inadvertently stuck their helmet race number onto my front wheel so I had to stop take the sticker off halfway up the first little hill out of transition. Oh well, it happens.

My biggest problem during the ENTIRE race was that I had to pee the ENTIRE time (starting with the swim). I could not make myself stop to go so I just kept on.

I had Heed in my aero bottle and drank that within the first 45m of the bike. I ate a pack of shot blocks right away and another at a little over an hour. Then I started drinking my other bottle of water (also had Heed). I don't think I finished it.

With three miles to go, my inner thigh muscle (left leg) started really hurting again. This has happened a few times before. It was fairly painful. I was worried it would be worse with the run, but thankfully it was better. Need to find out what is going on with this.

Better mount/dismounts. Still having trouble getting shoes out of new pedals. Need to take to bike shop.

Just pretty slow overall. Need to work on dismounts/running with bike and racking. Need to figure out the fastest way to rack.

Dismount faster, run with bike and rack faster.

I didn't take any water except a couple of sips. I actually started getting cramps (side) because I think I ate/drank so much on the bike and I'm not used to running on food. I just felt "full", but I also think that could have been because I had to pee so bad. I do think I needed both packs of Shot Blocks. The second one really seemed to kick in. I didn't want to stop running at all so it was hard to drink water AND run at the same time.

Just run faster - that's it. And not have to pee next time!

Just kept walking and then stretched a little. Kids were waiting and ready for a snack so I didn't stretch much. Should have!


Mostly, I just need to keep training to get faster. I think I should focus on swimming during the off season.


My max heart rate during the race was 178 and my average heart rate was 159. Overall, I really, really enjoyed this race. I experienced a huge sense of accomplishment upon completion. I was nervous about this race so facing that fear and finishing it was a great feeling. I am so inspired by the kindness of fellow racers. I heard so many people say "good job", "keep it up"", etc. it is amazing. This sport is made up of a great community of people. I'm honored to be a part of it.