Steelman Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

The water level was too low so they replaced the swim with a 1.3 mile run.

I would/ will train more for the run. I gave it all I had but the run ate me up at the end.

I felt good coming into and out of the transition area. I did not run to my bike or run with my bike out of the T area because at this point (being my first race) I am more concerned with finishing than placing. I slammed down some GU and hit the road.

Nothing.

I felt good coming out of the T and was able to catch a group of about 10 riders. I rode abit harder than I had planned to do because the swim and bike are my strong areas, so when the swim got replaced with a run it through my game off. Knowing running is my worst event, I wanted to catch and pass as many riders as I could. On the flats I was averaging about 18-20 mph, and on the downhills I hit 38 mph a couple times.

Maby run out of the transition area next time.

When I racked my bike the rack came apart so my bike wouldn't stand on its own. My Dad came over (yes my 72 yr old Dad) and hooked the bike up for me. I took in some more GU and hit the trail.

Nothing.

I must admit (keeping in mind my overall goal was not to walk) I was very surprised on how good I felt after the 1st mile and a half. That's where the snafu in my race happened. On my last lap one of the marshalls got confused and sent me around for another lap. I knew he made a mistake but what could I do? Of course when I hit the next checkpoint another marshall told me "You already did your 3 loops." So it was a 4.6 run for me.

Try a triathalon belt to stay hydrated. I am a robust fellow (249lbs), and the water tables were too spread out for my liking.

I pretty much hit the wall near the finish line because I was trying to finish hard, so if lying on the ground counts as a cool down.......


As I stated, they sent me on another lap by mistake and I knew it so I really ran hard to make up the time I knew I was losing by having to run an extra mile. As a result, my arches cramped up really hard about 1/2 mile from the line. Other than that, my conditioning for the run (or lack thereof) was an issue.


I had an awesome experience and was very pleased with the encouragement I got from some of the racers. I was surprised how good I felt in the last run portion to the point that I said to myself "what's going on here, did Floyd Landis put something in my Cytomax?" I am pleased because I expected to try and survive the run and actually did good for me and I expected to be strong on the bike and I was. Other than that, last year this time (9-9-06) I was having my heart disected for major valve replacement and a pacemaker job. I'll take it. Oh yeah, I won 3rd place.