Devil's Challenge Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

actually the swim was my favorite part of today (NEVER thought I'd say that) once I could get my face in the water. I tried to start swimming almost right at the beach, but when I tried to put my face in, it was like my face and the water were magnets repelling each other. I then also realized I was WAAAYYY too far right (for a left hand turn) - so I got back into a little better position and finally got my face to stay in the water the way it was supposed to be.

Turned the first bouy, and started my "rhythm singing" (99 bottles of beer on the wall). Breathing on left side only, and actually catching people. About every 6 pack, I tried to look up to see how far I was shifting off course. Funny thing was, almost every time I looked up, the bouy was getting closer, AND IT WAS STILL IN FRONT OF ME!! Took the second bouy about 6" off my left shoulder, and even used a slingshot past someone coming around the corner as they went wide as I tried to cut the corner. It actually worked! Came back to the beach, and looked pretty funny running/walking out of the water (I'm just a goofy looking guy). Then ran up around into transition (actually had energy to run after the swim - another thing that has never happened before - usually I am dead tired when I come out of the water, and try to use the start of the bike to try to regroup).

I guess nothing, really - started out on the far right side, and was intending on staying outside, but as I started passing people, I just came into more of a direct line towards the bouy (I am figuring I'll never be able to say again how straight I swam, so I'm going to bask in that fact for just a bit.....)

I think I took a nap, AGAIN(!), in transition. My T1 was almost the same time as my swim!!! That just ain't right. I guess I need to move my butt in transition as well - seem to have issues with that. Now beginning to realize that maybe it's important to try working on that as well. Transition not good. Because it was so cold outside, I tried to make sure I dried off as well as I could.

Go much faster in here. I really suck at transitions, particularly T1 (see previous races - same thing).

Forgot to take a Gu at beginning of bike (though with the time I spent in T1, you would have thought I cooked myself some eggs, bacon, and had a cup of coffee)

Lost a couple minutes when my chain fell off at the turn around point. There were some really big hills - did well with chain and shifting on that part, then when it's easy, on a flat turn around, THEN my chain falls off... seems like I do things just a little backwards. Didn't get off the bike, though which was nice. Saw a LOT of people walking their bikes along. Passed a few expensive bikes, which was also cool.

On a few of the downhills, because it was so cold, my cheeks/face felt like it did when I was freefalling when parachuting. It was a weird feeling, and I laughed inside just a little.

1stTimeTri was at a turn as volunteer on the bike course - gave the big ol' EEEAAAWWWW!!! which was motivating.... thanks Phil!



Since I only drank about 2 ounces of gatorade on the entire 15 mile bike, I guess I would probably try to have better fluid/nutrition intake (need to work on that for next year)

again, not a very good transition. Someone had put their bike basically right where mine was supposed to be, so I had to do a little re-arranging before I could change shoes. Actually took helmet off last.

AND forgot about the GU, again.... (still 2 Gu's sitting at transition)

do better in transition. I just suck in transition.

Here is when nutrition came back to bite me. I didn't have much left in the tank. I guess I probably could have pushed harder, but I just didn't. Saw both sgoehner AND triDDS (who absolutely kicked A$$ in the run) - gave high fives to each (nearly took my arm off with triDDS as we missed hands - ended up hitting wrists and forearms. He's just a little bigger than me, so I ended up running sideways a few steps trying to regain balance).

I did finish in a full sprint, though, as I was coming down the final chute and saw the time clock at 1:59:55, and wanted to finish in under 2 hours (forgot that the time clock was from the actual start of the whole race) -- well, that..... AND the fact that I had to go to the bathroom since the start of the bike.....

have better nutrition so I could run a little faster. I wanted to go faster, and my legs wanted to go faster, but the rest of my body said "not so sure if that's such a good idea." That's probably the only regret I have on the actual movement part of the race today.

stopped and tried not to knock anyone over, as the sprint finish was right next to another guy who was sprinting, too.... then went to the bathroom....... aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh........ much better now.....


probably nutrition - AND transitions..


Event was good -- I probably could have done a little better, but such is life. This is probably the 'most happy' I have been with a triathlon (now that I have a whole 4 of them under my belt - 1 of which was indoors).

It was awesome to have a couple of donkey's in the race, and also cheering on. The EEEAAAAAWWWWW's are like a little burst of adrenaline. Sandi was taking pictures, and parents came down to watch. Good times, good times.

Now I have some time before next race, which will probably be Florida 70.3 series next May.... lots of time to improve on the swim distances and transitions.