Kerr Lake Olympic Distance Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Had a 30 minute goal for this swim. Started in the back middle section of the wave. When the gun went off I took my time getting started, making sure I didn't get kicked in the face. Took the first 200 yards easy. It was a short swim to the first buoy. It was very crowded at this turn since there was not much time for the wave to spread out. Had to stop swimming several times to make the turn. Long run to the next buoy so things spread out pretty well. Still got hit a couple times out of nowhere. The second turn buoy was uneventful. Looked at my watch and thought I was pretty much on pace. On the final leg in it got crowded again so put more effort in to try and get some distance on a couple of people that kept hitting my ankles. Was glad to get out of the water. Looked at HRM monitor when I hit the timing mat and was pleased to see 27 minutes.

Spend more time training in open water..just not comfortable right now. Overall this was as good a swim as I have had at this distance.

longish run up hill from the lake to the transition area. got my wetsuit to my waist on the run there without a problem. Found bike with no problem. Got wetsuit off with minimal problems. All was going well and efficiently. Shoes were already clipped on so I grabbed my bike and started to leave transition. At that moment realized my helmet was still on the handlebars. Caught my helmet by the strap just as it was going to the ground. Unfortunately I pulled the clasp right off the strap and it hit the ground. Picked it up and tried to re-thread it properly. Couldn't get it done properly so I faked it the best I could. Lost at least a minute in transition because of this.

Not forget to put on my helmet and secure the clasp so that it cannot come off.

Started slowly to get my heart rate under control after my fight with the helmet in transition. Took a few sips of Infinit and set out to enjoy a nice steady ride. Got a couple miles down the road and started to catch groups of riders. Double checked HRM to make sure that I was not pushing too hard. Kept my pace steady. Got into a long slight downhill that started what felt to be a really fast section so tried to push a little bit here. Lots of riders in the middle to left hand side of the lane. Had to pass several on the right that just refused to move. About mile 10 started a series of steeper hills that spread out the field quite a bit. Spun up these hills with a steady effort trying not to push hard. Made a turn at mile 15 that started a head wind that lasted for the most part of the final 10 miles. Passed and was passed by the same guy about four times over the last 10 miles. Think we both were ok with that, kept the pace about right without drafting. Was a little surprised that my cycling computer said 23 miles as we were coming into transition. Mile shorted than I thought. Goal was 1:10 minutes so 1:07 was a pleasent surprise. Took feet out of shoes on the final turn to transition. No flying dismount but jumped off pretty efficiently and ran with bike to transition.

Probably took a little too much time to settle in on the bike. Should push a little harder at the beginning but I was really happy with this ride.

Something messed up with the mat coming out of transition so the run time included the T2 so this time is an estimate based on my HRM. Great transition for me. Got bike racked, helmet off slipped on shoes, grabbed race belt and was out of there.

Maybe practice a flying dismount but other than that, nothing.

As soon as I got off the bike my legs felt pretty good. Started the run out of transition at an easy pace trying to get the running legs to come in. Didn't take long to figure out that this run was going to be very hot!!! After about a mile I was beginning to wonder if the legs were going to show up. Hit a slight up hill passed the guard house and started to feel a little better. at about 1.5 miles there was a right turn down a gravel road. This gravel road was down hill and shaded. Really started to feel good at this point and knew it was going to be a good run and the bike hadn't killed me. Took on water at each aid station. At the turn around of the first loop checked my time and seemed to be on pace and felt good. It was hot and heart rate was up but legs felt good so kept the same pace. At the turn down the gravel road a girl came up on my left and went by me. She looked fast so I put in extra effort to stay with her. Was feeling good at the 4.5 mile aid station. Girl was still in front of me at this point she called for water and reached for it and missed. She angrily yelled at the aid station worker...I took my water, thanked the same aid station worker and told him he rocked!! Got shoulder to shoulder with the girl and asked her if she was on her first or second loop. She looked at me like I was stupid and replied in F u tone of voice "SECOND". At that point she picked up the pace and I let her go thinking to myself...no, you will not beat me to the finish. At mile five I closed back up on her right shoulder for a minute, then right next to her for another minute..at that point we were approximately a mile from the finish so I looked over at her, looked at my HRM and took off. I was bound and determined that attitude girl was not going to beat me to the finish of this race. Last mile was a 7:10, turned to look back as I rounded the turn and there was nobody pushing me. As I came across the finish line I heard the announcer call my name and then about 45 seconds to a minute later announced the first finishing female...who I beat to the finish despite her attitude...:)

Nothing, a personal best 10K (stand alone or in a tri) with that the heat.

Hung out with family and friends, drank lots of water. Did I mention it was hot.


Need more OWS practice. Just more training in general.


This was an above average, fun race. A good course. Would be nice to extend that first swim buoy out a little so that the traffic jam would be minimized. Definitely doing this race again next year.