Oshkosh Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

The swim is usually a bit of an adventure for me, but this one was rather uneventful. That is a victory in and of itself. I have come a long way from being stricken with fear over the swim. When my wave went off, I decided to walk out into the water (as opposed to run), but I pretty much started swimming right way and kept swimming to the end. The water was quite shallow for the entire swim, even at the turn around you could stand. It was quite bizarre to being swimming along and at various times look over and see some guy walking next to you. Tried to draft, without luck, everybody was too fast or too slow. I went out pretty relaxed and then after the turn around, pushed it a bit. was Hard to see on the way back because the sun was in my eyes.
Last year's swim split: 38:45. This year: 31:28. Very acceptable for me.

I have really put my swim demons to bed, my speed has improved quite a bit from last year, but there is much work to be done. Off season work will be to work on form to get my pace more respectable. For where I am right now, this was about as good as I could expect.

All my T-1s this season have been around 3 minutes. Not real happy about it. I just seem to ave too much going on: getting wetsuit off, get Garmin on, sun screen. Need to find a way to cut this in 1/2. Really wasted time, I could use somewhere else.

Get more efficient. This is identical to all the others.

There were some changes to the course this year and I think for the better. Nice country roads, all in pretty good shape. There were a few hills, but all pretty gentle and not a big deal. With my slow swim and starting in a late wave, was not many oly riders around. Actual started out sharing with the Sprint and there was lots of bikers to pass and ride around, but not many oly riders. I did not pass my first oly rider until about 6 miles in. After that I passed a fair number of people. Most of the ride I was averaging between 19 and 20. However this ride was not without some adventure. As I mentioned, my girls did the kids tri, so I had to fit both of there bikes and mine and all the luggage (don't have a bike rack) in the back of the mini-van. Well, I had to take the front wheel off my bike to get it to fit in the van. (this is what we call foreshadowing). Well at about mile 9, I look down at my front wheel and notice the lock lever was not in the lock position but, instead, was in the unlock position. Now I'm a simple man, but I said to myself "I don't think that is good." I knew the smart think to do was stop, so I kept going. However, about another 1/2 mile I decided to pull over and do a quick tightening job and closed the lever. Ok back in business. I had to re-pass about 6 people that passed me while I was stopped. At about mile 20, I noticed the lever starting to open again. (WTF?) I thought maybe I would be ok, because it was only 8 more miles, but then I kept looking down and worrying about. Then I tried to reach down and push it closed. This is really not a great idea at 20mph. After swearing a few times at my mechanical ineptitude,(just ask my younger daughter about her "training wheel malfunction" in her race) I pulled over again. This time paying attention to what I was doing, and tightened everything up for the ride in.

I took a bottle of Perpetuem, a bottle of Heed and a water bottle on this ride. I drank 3/4 of the Perp, 3/4 of the water and not a drop of the Heed (until post race). I took a gel about every 1/2 hour for a total of 3. Nutrition/ hydration was just fine.

Last year bike: 1:41 this year: 1:30

Learn to properly secure my front wheel. Otherwise I was happy with this ride. I might have been able to push a little more, but my pace (without the stops) was pretty satisfactory to me.

I had a long trek from the bike in. I also decided to put on another dose of sun screen. Just not generally acceptable. I need to pick up the pace on my transitions.

get my Donkey arse moving faster.

I like the out and back runs because you can see the leaders coming in and it is not so lonely out there. I was aiming for about a 8:40 pace, found a pace a bit quicker than that and just stuck with it. My avg pace never deviated more than a few seconds/ per mile through-out the run. I think I played this a little too conservative. As is my theme, I was worried about having an issue with my IT band. But it never talked to me in the least on this run. However, I had my goal pace and I just stuck with it, I think I had the capacity to push a bit harder. Passed a good number of folks out there and was passed only twice. It was started to heat up and was quite humid out there. I took my fuel belt with two waters and two Heeds. I drank one of the waters, 1 1/2 of the Heed and poured most of the other water on my head and back to keep cool. I feel like a little bit of a dork taking the fuel belt (and feel bad saying no to the kids at the aid stations), but I really like having the water there whenever I need it. Last 1/2 mile I kicked into high gear. On final stretch before finish my wife and kids were there. High fived the kids. I guess they decided to run with me. I was hammering hard and didn't notice right away. My seven year old actually caught me at the finish. Quite impressive, because my pace was about 6:20 when I crossed the finish line. The kid may have the future in this sport. ;) Her older sister came in shortly there after.
Last year's run split: 57:31 This year: 52:23

Push harder. Have a bit more confidence in my legs.

walked around with the kids for a while and drank what ever was left in my fuel belt. Went up to the food area and ate some of the crap they had (blah) and had the pleasure of meeting Tripletmom01 who kicked butt and won her age group.


Having my expectations too low. I met or beat my goal pace on every segment, but I think I am capable of squeezing out a bit more out of each leg. I guess that is what keeps you coming back.


Last year's finish time 3:22.7. This year 2:59.10. At first I was somewhat disappointed in my overall rank in the field. I was hoping to be a MOP. However, after the kid's race my kids were bummed about their BOP status (some of theose kids are crazy competitive). I told them that the only person I was going to be racing against was jmwebs (or Dad as they know me) of last year. I told them the important thing was to do your best and have fun. When I look at this race with that standard, it was a major success. However, 2007 jmwebs, better watch out because I'm gunning for him next year!