Jackson County Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

The wade in was great and the start was calm. I was really worried about cramping. As much as I've been trying to keep hydrated and the potassium levels up, my calves were wanting to Charlie and that's not good. I suppose over the off season, I will need to spend more time on nutrition.

I was much calmer in the water this time around. Having done some practice OW swims has helped. I didn't freak out at much. Even though my endurance for swimming is still under par, I did my best to swim differnt strokes between bouys: freestyle, then backstroke, then breast stroke and then freestyle again. Closer to the end, I was petering out.

Its quite obvious, which is my weakness and swimming will be a BIG focus over the off season.

This time the urge to hurl wasn't as bad. Still delerious getting out of the water, but the run up and to TA helped to get the fog out of my head.

I forgot to eat a GU. :(

Make sure to eat GU, my stomache was growling.

Oh, now I get to throw my hissy fit. At mile 2 there is the huge climb (approx 150 ft/mile) and I had JUST switched to an easier gear when I threw my chain. AND the best part about it was that it got stuck between the small chainring and the spindle and was jammed really good. F[beep]k!

It took me 5 f[beep]king minutes to get it unstuck. I was soo cursing the whole time up that damn hill.

The rest of the bike was fine. Faster than I imagined I did it, but according to the pace calculator, I was pretty slow as s[beep]t.

Ugh.

THEN when the mandatory dismount came, I had it all under control, speed was feeing good and when I went to do my running mount, there went my left calf. F[beep]king cramp. UGH.

The rest of the bike was fine again after that.

I'm sure if I hadn't had chain issues or the calf cramp, I may have actually managed the distance right @ my target of 35 minutes. I had to slow way down as not to cramp up again. sigh

Not throw the chain. More time on the bike.

I'm always better @ T2 than T1. Its nice that you get a chance to unwind your legs with the run to rack your bike. I'm sure once I get to longer distances, this may be more difficult.

I had my GU. :)

Get better shoes to be able to run with my feet out.

Nice flat run. I was getting pretty beat at that time and continuing to get my calves to cooperate. I talked them out of cramping again and I think they did all right. Did a run/walk for the 3 miles to ensure they didn't Charlie on me. Ran/walk 4min/1min. That works really well to keep you race pace up, I was quite surprised. Glad Galloway came up with that. :)

More bricks from bike to run. Work on endurance more.

Drank some Gatorade and had some grapes. I didn't get a massage this time around and I think I'm going to regret that decision come two days from now when I can't walk. ;)


I really need to work on two things: endurance and nutrition. A bit too broad, I know. I need to get to the root of the cramping issues. I know that I probably wasn't as diligent with training and nutrition this month, which is my fault.

I can only get better, right?


Another great race....and this time they had more potties, but they could still use some more.