Boulder Peak Tri - TriathlonOlympic

The swim is my weakest area, and I'm well aware of it. However, being 959th out of 1408 makes me feel damn proud. It's just been this year that I've got my endurance up enough to do this distance (in fact, just the past 5 months!)

I had problems at 5430 Sprint in the same Res last month, and was determined NOT to have those same problems. Went out at the back of my wave, and immediately started passing people. I found this odd, as I went out rather easy. I kept a solid rhythm to the first buoy. Once I rounded that, the pack closed in a little. I grabbed a few good pulls off some people passing me, and this really helped pull me to the second turn. The wave behind me started to catch us about this point, so I just started tagging along behind faster people until the third turn. I was still focusing on keeping a slow, steady rhythm.

Rounding the third buoy, left a couple hundred meters to shore. At this point, I picked up my pace a little, and started to do bring it home. I was VERY happy with my time. COgirl hollered at me, and I dropped some of my stuff, so I stopped to pick it up - and then promptly thought why? I still had my suit, goggles and timing chip, what else did I need?

I've just got to work on my speed.

I had met luv2ride in the TA before the race, and neglected to spot where my bike was. I lost time on each transition trying to find my spot.

I did get help from a relay team to get my wetsuit off.

Look for my freaking spot as I leave the TA, so I can go straight to my stuff! I normally do this, but forgot all about it this morning.

Old Stage Hill has a 15% grade. I was humbled, and had to push the bike about 200 yards or so up the friggin' hill. A bunch of emergency vehicles were tearing up the road - I was hoping it was for a grass fire, as I didn't want anyone to have gotten hurt (more on this later). At the top of OSH, they had WARM Gatorade at the first station. Gatorade is NOT my favorite, and warm Gatorade just plain sucks. Ditched the bottle, ate a gel pack, and had some water.

Screaming down the back of the hill, I passed a few people who were NOT staying to the right. As I approached the right turn going to Lefthand Canyon, I found the emergency vehicles. Someone went under a car (no word on injury/death, but it didn't sound good). Had to slow WAY down to get around the crash site. Picked up speed, and held a fair average the rest of the way in. Hit one pothole, hard, and it really shook up my gonads. Gained about two higher octaves to my singing temporarily. Had another gel before hitting the Diagonal Highway.

I did not save much for the run - the bike is definitely my strongest (even after having to walk up part of the Hill). But I went a little too hard today, and should have held back. In my mind, an Olympic tri is still a 'short course' - but I suppose during my second year, I should consider this a middle distance, and race accordingly.



I think a triple chainring would have helped taking Old Stage Hill. I need to do more hill repeats. I *may* get another bike at some point (I'd like to do some crits, and I can't use my tri-bike for those). I should've held back a little more.

Once again, I couldn't find my TA. I had neglected to spot my rack from the bike finish, and this proved a bit costly.

Spot my racks from the swim and bike finish BEFORE leaving the TA to go warm up.

Spotted Brett, Stacey, Erik and Ovetta along the route. Tried to catch Stacey, but the heat and my lack of energy failed me. Of course, I really didn't taper this week, either, and I think that bit me in the ass, too.

No excuses though. At least I *did* it.

There is one, tall, lanky fellow, who beat me in several 5K events last year. Don't know his name, but I saw him at packet pickup (I know his name now, though). I told Macdaddy that I wanted to beat that guy, and I did, by over 10 minutes. I'm loving life right now!

Save some energy for the run. I raced last weekend, hard, and didn't taper well this week. My long runs have been fairly hit-or-miss the past several weeks. I will be re-evaluating my overall plan before the end of this season, to prepare better for next year.

Walked around with Brett, drank much water and Gatorade, grabbed some pretzels and 1/2 banana. Went into the water to cool down somewhat, then went back to find everyone. I didn't want to wait for a massage, but I sure could've used one.


See various comments above.


I rate this course TOO HARD, for my current abilities. I need more hill work, and should have made some slightly different choices during the race.

The race director mentioned, during packet pickup, to be very careful on the downhill portion of Old Stage Hill road. A couple of people didn't pay attention apparently. I later found out that two people had gone down at that right-turn, and at least one reportedly went under a car. The rumor mill had it that one died; no status on the other - no official word on the news (yet). They also had to stop the swim at one point, due to another emergency (I had already started, and was not subjected to the stoppage - no info on this either.)

The race itself is grueling, and was a distinct humbling experience for me. It was also my SECOND Oly ever. After last week's heat, I actually thought that 3:30:00 would be my likely time, though I was hoping to finish in under 3:15:00 - as it was, I'll take that 3:11:41! I ballparked my estimated times, and actually beat my bike time, which allowed me to go slow on the run. I'll probably do this again next year, but I'll definitely make a few changes before I do - namely, the bike stuff...