Door Country Triathlon - Long Course - TriathlonLong Course

My first mistake was to start in the middle of the pack. I got bounced around, was heading in all kinds of directions and failed to get into any kind of a rythm. Sighting problems led to me swimming well over the distance, and having to scramble back to the course several times. I think I gulped a ton of air, which led to serious problems on the bike.

Biggest lesson learned is that I need to improve my OW sighting. I will also start towards the back of the pack and just find my own pace. The pack swimming was just too disruptive. Plenty of room for improvement, but I did find my groove in the middle third of the race and was comfortable after that.

Haha - i can't wait to see the pic of me leaving the water. I was just dazed as they yelled for me to start taking off my suit. Great volunteers helped out and I was on my way to the bike. Was gassed after the swim and took my time a bit. Also stopped to pee so I wouldn't have to pee on the bike.

Next season I'll go sockless on the bike, which will save me time. Otherwise it's just practice.

I went into the race feeling undertrained on the run, but it turned out to be the bike that was a test of will-power. At about mile 3, I started to get horrible stomach ache in my lower-right abdomen. I believe now I was just bloated from gulping air on the swim, but there were times when I thought I strained or pulled an ab muscle. I was nearly puking for a while, but managed to keep pushing ahead. I stopped once to gather myself and try to stetch before the final 8 miles. I managed to finish strong-ish over the last 6 miles, although my family said I looked defeated coming off the bike. B/c of the pain, I couldn't stay in the aero bars and couldn't push the pace as much as I would have been able to. Still - I didn't quit and made it to the run. Good enough!

I felt like my nutrition and hydration on the bike went well, and I believe it was the bloating / gas from the swim that hurt me. Coming out of the water, before the stomach pains, my legs felt strong and ready to push. I know I can (and will!) do better, but am happy to have pushed through to the finish on this one.

T2 went as planned, and I finally started to feel alright again.

Nuthin except NOT HAVE THAT STOMACH ACHE

Coming into the race, I felt undertrained due to injury and had only run 6 miles once since April. But after my stomach ache went away and I realized I could really finish, I was thrilled! I was goofin around with the volunteers and other racers and really had a great time. I was right on my goal pace for the run and finished strong.

Not a damn thing - had a great time! :-)

Walked around and did some light stretching. Rehydrated and had some watermellon and a cliff bar.


The swim made for a rough start and a very rough bike, but I finished and came in with a time I'm happy with. More training and more experience and I'll be faster next time.


Great race, and I was able to thank Sean Ryan personally after the race. Volunteers were awesome along with all the staff. No complaints here, though I did hear of minor problems with rogue officials and volunteers.