Pleasant Prairie Triathlon - International Race - TriathlonOlympic

I think I was in the largest wave of 88 people although it might have even been more. I positioned myself in the front (second row) on the left. As we started I tried to find somebody to draft off of but I never have the patience for that. I just tried to get off to the side somewhat, find good water and site well. I think I went out a little fast at first but I was able to settle down and get into a good rhythm.

Rounded the first bouy well and as this course is notorious for, bam, right into the sunlight. I knew from the last time that that if you just keep swimming towards the large power plant and don't worry about the bouys that you'll be just fine. That worked great and I think I probably swam a pretty straight line. No real problems on this leg. Ran into a few people here and there but it was all fine.

Rounded the last buoy to come back in. I was getting a little tired but not too bad. I felt like I was moving fairly well and was probably going to end up with a decent time. Got out of the water and saw that I was in the 25 minute range which I was real happy with.

Not much. I think that I can go faster but at what cost. This OLY distance overall as it becomes "smaller" to me I think I could get my swim down even more but I think it would be unwise taking too much away from the rest of my race.

I struggled getting my shirt on. Don't know why. I've been putting shirts on, well, my whole life actually but just seemed to have a hard time with this. Wetsuit came off pretty well with extra glide on and using both thumbs to push each leg off.

The smart thing would be to have tri clothes so that getting out of the wetsuit would be followed with helmet, sunglasses and that's about it. Looking at others times I am slow and need to probably pick up another 30-45 seconds here.

Good bike. I tried not to blow up but I probably pushed this harder than the previous OLY this year. Lots of newbies out there and combined with doing two loops and being mixed in with the sprint group, thise course had some dangerous potential. I never really got in danger but PEOPLE - RIDE ON THE RIGHT! It's quite simple but slower riders, mountain bikes, etc. were practically on the yellow line in the middle of the road!!

I felt good though and the bike really moved by pretty quickly. Force passed me on the second loop with just that, Force! Dude can really ride.

I got passed a decent amount but did quite a bit of passing and overall a nice ride.

Nothing

Eventually I'll probably spend the money and get biking shoes which are better for slipping out while riding.

As always, this is where my race slows down. Never quite sure how the legs are going to feel off the bike and they felt OK this time around. It took probably about 3/4 mile to get to where my legs felt comfortable. One of my goals is to do a sub 60 minute 10k at the end of an OLY. I didn't quite make it again but I'm not too far off.

First mile went fairly well with a nice pace. It was a pace I thought I could maybe hold for the race so I was pretty excited. That changed though. Second mile I must have slowed some but still felt decent. Every water station I was trying to dump two cups over my head and drink some. Had gatorade with me on the fuel belt so I was working on that too.

Mile three same up and that was my best mile split so now I'm really thinking this could be something. Between mile three and four though I really started to suffer. I even walked a little bit after the mile four mark by the water station. Right now I'm primarily focused on trying to finish in under 2:40 for the entire race. I know the heat is starting to get to me which is making it more and more difficult. It's not really even that hot out but there's no shade on the course and I don't do well in heat.

I just tried to keep plugging away having done the math and I knew for 2:40 I was fairly comfortable as long as I didn't fall over. Finally made the last turn around the lake and started the path into the finish line. I'm really hurting and started just making small goals. Just make it to the lightpost. Then, just make it to the grabage can, etc. Once I got about 100 yards out I tried a little bit of a kick which felt OK. Actually passed a few people which is always nice.

Mile 1 9:24 170
Mile 2 9:56 170
Mile 3 9:23 176
Mile 4 10:20 179
Mile 5 10:05 179
Mile 6 10:17 182
Last.2 1:42 204

I feel like I left it all on the course. Other than training more, lower weight,etc. I don't feel like I could have gone any harder today.

Got together with Force, cweninger, Joe Runner and amyjotris and hung out. Saw Schmize too with his 2:09 finish - impressive as always!
They were handing out cool washclothes at the finish which is very nice!

Fun racing weekend with lots of BT peeps.


Two years ago I did this race in 3:07 so a nice improvement although having a nice bike and a wetsuit I'm sure contributed. Since my HIM in July I would say my training has been below average which I'm disappointed in. I had some nice workouts but not consistant enough and not enough volume so actually this race went better than I thought it would.


Nice venue. Shuttle busses are a pain but I don't know what else they could possibly do about it. Post-race food was average.