USAT Age Group National Championship - TriathlonOlympic

Most of the guys at this race swam like human torpedoes. My crappy little swim felt great, but I'm just slow. Learned that the only bouys that matter are the corners, and the rest are just for sighting, which is very cool.

I can probably swim harder in a race like this, but I just wasn't sure.

Out of the water, we ran straight up a steep boat dock that one could probably repel down. Moved through transition quickly, but when I jumped on my bike I couldn't get my feet on top of my shoes. So, I nearly crashed into the barrier three times before settling down. Some knucklehead was yelling at me to "get some rubberbands," but what good was that going to do? I'm supposed to stop at 7-freakin'-11 for more rubberbands? This was a horrible start to the bike.

Practice jumping on the damn bike and getting into the shoes. On a course with an immediate climb out of T-1, I should probably skip that adventure altogether.

This was a wacky ride up and down continuous, pretty steep, and long hills. I never really figured out what my pace should be, as I was concerned about blowing up. I think that I should have gone a lot harder on this ride, but that's hindsight.

At one point a 24-year-old girl passed me, then slowed down right in front of me. I stopped pedaling, and heard the motorcycle. I looked back and saw the bike, and got up from my aero-bars. The motorcycle came up and the passenger took my race number. Now, I think that I got the 2:00 penalty for drafting or blocking or something, but in reality the only thing that I may have been doing was leching (as in lecherous). I mean, the girl was really pretty and I was right behind her and, well, I guess I deserve some sort of penalty, but certainly not for drafting or blocking. I didn't bother to even ask what the penalty was about in the race, so I won't know, and really don't care.

Ride a lot harder. If I'm going to be penalized for drafting, I might as well actually draft. May seek counseling, as I probably should pay more attention racing and less attention to women half my age.

Off the bike well, hopped into the bike racks, and put shoes on very quickly.

Powder in shoes would be a good idea.

Managed a very good run, particularly on such a hilly course. I wouldn't have believed that I would run under 7:30's on this course, but I guess that I was so fresh that I made it. Caught Sean who was walking, and walked with him for awhile to see if I could help him out at all. Nothing I could do and he told me to keep going, but this took a bit of time. It was the right thing to do, regardless.

I think that I passed two to four guys in my age group on this run, and I also believe that they are the only guys that I actually beat. So... I must have been the dead last caboose when the run started, and snuck up on a couple of folks.

I think that I could have opened the run up a bit more. Again, I was concerned about the level of effort and the hills.

Hung out in VIP tent and watched the pros race.


I didn't go all out. I just wasn't confident that "balls to the wall" was the best strategy here. So, I got my ass kicked. With this experience, I know that in the future this type of race really just needs to be all out.

Also, I need to train more for speed rather than endurance.

Finally, penalties should be avoided, no matter how cute the butt in front might be.


This was an incredible experience. The overall quality of the athletes at this event was just staggering. I mean, I'm not horrible at triathlon, but I got a pants-down spanking at this event. Also, I don't get this distance at all. It's really short for me, so I'm really not sure what the pace should be in working through it. I guess that the pacing should be "balls to the wall," but I didn't know that going in, and would have been very concerned to push like that. Next time, however, that's just what I'll do.

Very pleased with the slow swim (still, under :30), averaging over 20mph on that crazy course, and under 7:30 m/mile on the run. Had a great time, met some amazing people, and look forward to trying to improve on things.