The Triathlon at Pacific Grove - TriathlonOlympic

I was very very happy with my swim performance. After my DNF on the swim at Tri for Fun, I felt really good about overcoming my fears. It took me a few weeks of practicing in the open water, going to two clinics, and wearing the wetsuit to get more comfortable. I was able to regulate my breathing, bring my heart rate down and speed up and slow down as required. I felt very comfortable on both laps with the second lap seeming a little easier.

I got caught at the beginning of the next wave for my second lap, however I was able to pass some of the slower swimmers. There was some bumping and ankle grabbing and I am glad I was able to maintain form and composure. Can't forget the kelp - I hit a few patches that posed a challenge, but nothing major. The important thing is not to fight the kelp.

Completing the swim was a big confidence booster for me.

-Goggles fogged - I have tried spit and defogger. That sucked!
-I really really need to work on my sighting as well as swimming straight! I could have completed this in under 30 minutes if I was able to swim in a straight line.

T1 was ok although my shirt got stuck and running to the bike out in my bike shoes was not efficient. I was not out of breath coming up from the beach and felt very strong going into the bike. Getting the wetsuit off was not a problem.

-Wear my tri shirt under my wetsuit
-Learn to have bike shoes clipped in
-My transition area was not well organized, although they had us bunched up really really close together.

I felt strong on the bike and my average speed was inline with how I have been training. I did notice that there a lot of guys on the tri bikes that were just flying by me ... wow! Towards the end of the bike segment my legs and glutes were getting sore.

-I need to get stronger on the bike, lift more weights in the offseason and increase my LT.
-Get properly fitted on my bike or get a tri bike.

My legs were just about done after the bike. I had to sit on my ass to get my shoes on. It didn't help that my feet were still numb from the swim and bike. I had a hard time standing back up and jogging to the run out area. Freak'in jello legs.

not have my legs feel like they were going to fall off!

It took me about 2 miles to get my legs under me. I was feeling better, but at mile 4 my quads started to really cramp up, them my hamstrings. I had to slow down with about a mile to go otherwise I am sure something would have snapped. I stayed hydrated and didn't feel thirsty on the run. I was happy with my time, but the run was painful.

-Practice bike run bricks more often.
-Hit the weight room in the off season. I need to strengthen my legs and core.
-Understand the real cause of my cramps - lack of sodium?

-10 minutes of stretching
-Walking to and from B&B to watch the elite race. I just didn't want to sit and have my muscles tighten. Stretched some more.



-Glutes and quads started cramping towards the middle of the run and worsened as I the end neared.


Tri-California put on a very well organized event. I will do this one again next year for sure. I want to thank my friend and fellow BT'r Geoff W. for all the coaching, advice, and support. He got me drinking the "tri" flavored Kool Aid and now I'm hooked.