Charlottesville International Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

I started out the swim at a pretty quick pace in an attempt to seperate from some of the others members of my group. My breathing and stroke were not particularly strong throughout most of the first lap after the first 100-150. I was able to gain some seperation from a majority of the swimmers however, I eventually ran into another wave of swimmers which forced me to break up my swim a bit as I sorted through the bodies. I felt like my 2nd lap was better and I was able to concentrate on my stroke a bit more once I got some seperation.
I had some water in the right side of my goggles but it wasn't bad enough to stop and adjust them.

First off I am going to continue to improve my training and learn ho to better improve my breathing in combination with stroke and kick....especially the kick piece. Watching the best swimmer there I was able to observe some good technique that may help in the future.
I still need to be more conscious about doing my work under the water and even more importantly incorporating a more consistent kick!!!

My T1 time may say 1:33 but it was actually worse because I was not prepared. I had to get gel packets out of my bag, I didn't know where to put them and that led to not getting my gloves on until I was on the bike which was extremely difficult. I finally got them on and tucked a gel packet in between my areo bars and computer while drinking the other.

I need to have a better system where I am in my shoes(possibly after washing them), helmet on and gloves on running my bike out the transition gate and then jumping on my bike and clicking in with momentum. I tried to click one shoe in and it wasn't happening.
Maybe I should actually practice this...who knows it may help!!

Biggest disappointment was that I lost my gel packet when I rode over the bridge a few miles in to it. Again, it goes back to poor preparation out of the transition area and pre-race routine!!!
I felt like I did a much better job changing gears and working a higher candence paying particular attention to the hills. I stayed in my seat as often as possible on the climbs however, I did raise up once in awhile because I felt I needed the boost.
Overall, I am pleased with my ride especially with the way I finished. I was able to catch and pass the pack of 4-5 riders who were in front of me for the majority of the race, some because they had passed me early on.
I think my bike piece will only continue to improve the more often I am out riding and becoming more comfortable.

Besides buying a top of the line Tri bike I would inflate may tires prior to the race, which again goes directly to pre-race routine, an area that I need to improve drastically. I felt as though my back tire was low. I would also drink on a more consistent basis - maybe every 3-4 miles. Obviously, I would have taken the gel packet in the middle if I had it but I would also take another as I was finishing the bike in order to prevent me from having to do one during the run...I'll touch on that in the run piece.

I still take too long racking my bike...I need to just throw it up there and get on with the process. My socks were still in my bag which delayed me a bit and I took to long getting another gel packet out of my bag for the run. As I said before I think I need to take the gel packet at the end of the bike piece to prevent from even worrying about the thing here.
Socks an shoes needs to be quicker!!!

Rack the bike quicker and get into shoes and socks quicker - - then get out!!!
Obviously, organize things better prior to the race!

I was not prepared for the run at all. I had no idea it was going to be such a difficult course. Obviously, the training we had done was on roads and this was anything but a smooth surface. I was never really able to get a good rhythm going or any sort of candence because you are constantly hopping, skipping and jumping looking for your next step - extremely mentally difficult...not to mention we ran the loop twice. Obviously I am disappointed in my time on paper but considering the course and it being my first time competing at the Olympic distance I am pleased with getting a pretty good baseline from whick to work.

Not run this trail run again!

Drank fluids and ate but I definitely didn't stretch enough and I can feel it today!


Aside from the run I thought it was good! I do think they need to do something about the swim because people were cutting corners and not going around the outer most bouy.