Tri for Real #2 - TriathlonOlympic

OK, I'd like to start off by saying that within the first 10 meters, I'd decided that I wasn't "racing" this race, and was only interested in finishing. I had no real time goal. I was just treating this event like a rather expensive workout -- not even a "training" day as that would imply that I had a goal. For me, it was just a fun day in the outside, swimming, biking and running.

I swam pretty steadily, and the only thing that really slowed me down was my swim cap -- it kept trying to come off, and it was pulling my goggles up so that they hurt my eyes. I stopped three or four times to pull it back down. After the halfway mark, I stopped and pulled off the latex race cap, leaving just my silicone cap, which stayed on better by itself.

I felt like I was swimming well, and never really felt off course or tired. I tried the technique of putting my arms in my wetsuit already rotated, and I think that helped me with my stroke. I never felt like I was fighting against my wetsuit.

Practice? I haven't swum in weeks. I think this was my first time in water since the last race.

My wetsuit came off beautifully. I really like the way the conditioner works for that.

I walked slowly up the grassy slope and into T1. I had already decided I wasn't "racing" this event, so I wasn't going to kill myself.

I was consciously trying to rein myself in, and not go out too hard or fast. I kept having to slow myself down, esp when I'd find myself pushing hard and letting my HR creep up into the high 170s and even 180s. My goal was to have enough energy left in the tank to get through the run without bonking.

I rode in the drops as much as I could, and even got into my big chain ring for some of the flats.

I'm happy to report that I was able to drink most of my camelbak, and I ate two gels on the course -- one as I got out on the highway, and one just after the turnaround.

Train. Get aero bars -- this course is so straight and it's flat-enough that I would have been faster with aero bars.

I choose to use my race shoes with the elastic laces, even though I suspect they played a role in my blisters at the last race. But it made for a fast transition.

I also spent a few minutes in the little green house, just before getting on the run... seems I was very well hydrated.

pee faster?

This course is just plain hot and hard. I felt strong, but I knew that if I pushed myself to go faster, I'd blow up. I never really felt dehydrated, except in the last mile, when I started to feel a bit chilled.

At least a minute, if not two, of each lap (except for miles 1 and 6) is from me standing at the aid station pouring water on my head and putting ice in my shorts (yes, it's cold, but it helps).

I'd like to be faster at one of these races, but it's so dang hot.

Also, with about half a mile, I could tell that I was getting blisters in the same spots. Ugg. It took all I had to just keep running. I kept myself going forward by just plain counting. I'd count to 100, and then start over again. I didn't have a goal, and I didn't plan to stop, but by just keeping counting, over and over again, I think I was able to not focus on my feet or the heat.

Heat training?

walked around and talked with folks, ate some cantaloupe they'd saved for me and the other woman still out on the course (Margaret, she's 73 and will kick your ass).


Um... not training? Just a thought.


I love these races.