Xterra Gator Terra - TriathlonOther

Lot of firsts in this swim. I had never done a run in start or a run between swim laps. Nevertheless, I was feeling ok and fairly confident about the swim. I set up on the left side of the swim line in the front group of swimmers. When the horn sounded, I had a good run in and swim start. For the frist 100m I was trying to find some swim space and get into a rhythm. The water was very dark lake water, so seeing the other swimmers was difficult. Just before the first turn at 150m or so, I was just getting into rhythm. Suddenly, I took a real hard kick to the left temple. It was hard enough to cause me to gasp in a bunch of water. I had to roll over and try to to breath between coughs. It was a scary few seconds. When the initial shock of breathing water in faded, the pain in my head become noticable. I had started to swim again, but was quickly developing a pounding headache. When I finished the first lap, I stood up to run to start of the second lap. The headache was getting worse. On the second lap, I was still so freaked out about the kick to the head, that I was swimming scared. I was gasping air, and lifting my head way up. I was breathing every 2 strokes, and sighting about every 4. I wasn't looking for the buoys, I was looking for a foot to kill me.

I know getting kicked is a common thing, and I have suffered a few. I've taken a few to the face and head, but nothing like this. I feel like I came close to getting knocked out. It's a week later, and I'm still having headaches on that side of my head. I'm probably just lucky I was able to finish the swim, but I certainly heard the voices in my head telling me to quit.

Nothing much really. I couldn't avoid the kick. It's just one of those things that happens from time to time. Perhaps I've learned something from it, I dont know. I actually feel good about finishing. It was a slow time, but I made it through. I'm lucky it was only 800 yards.

The transitions were not timed. Both transitions were included as part of the bike time.

The swim to bike transition was slow. The transition area was about 100 yards from the swim. I walked a good portion of it because of the headache. I was still trying to get my bearings about me.

I had trouble getting the wetsuit off, but got the helmet, socks, shoes, gloves, and camelback on fairly quickly.

Need more practice in Xterra transition. I do it differently than road tri's because of additional equipment.

I started the bike pretty bad. The voices in my head started telling me to quit again. I couldnt breathe from the pain in my chest and stomach after gasping so much during the swim. My head was hurting so bad that I couldn't think straight. At one point, I actually quit pedaling, looked up, and almost stopped. I didnt want to go on. I was getting passed pretty regularly. I decided to keep going and I'm glad I did. About 3 miles or so into the bike, I started feeling better. My headache was still there but my breathing became more regulated. I started speeding up and passing some of the bikers that passed me earlier.

The rest of the bike went ok, except for one instance of mechanical problem. I had completed a jump at high speed when I broke a small plastic piece that held the front brake cable to the fork. This caused the cable to rub against the wheel, which caused an awful sounding noise and was tearing my race number attached to the bike. I had to stop for a few minutes to do an adjustment.




I forgot to put zip ties in my seat bag, and small pieces of duct tape to the frame. These are essential in mt bike races because of the chances of mech problems. It would have saved a couple minutes, because I could have just zip tied the cable and been gone.

Again, no individual time for transition. I got the shoes off on the last paved straightaway on the bike, and was able to do a running dismount. I do this in regular tris, but had never tried it on a mt bike. It went well, so I'm pleased with that part.

The rest of transition went good with no major problems

Some more practice could always help.

The run went pretty much as I expected it too. I was shooting for 26 minutes, but considering the day that I had so far, I was overall satisfied with the run time.

The run was pretty technical with very few straightaways. Definitely had to have concentration or the roots and rocks would jump up and trip you. I twisted my knee slighlty stepping sideways on a root, and bruised the bottom of my left foot on a rock. Both were minor, and to be expected on a trail run like this. Neither caused me to lose much time.

I need more technical trail runs. I do trail run often, but on fairly smooth, even ground. I need to find some harder trails to run.

Went straight for the ibuprophen the wife brought, and sat down in a chair. I filled my wife in on the struggles I had and sought her sympathy.
I spent the next hour or so eating a little bit and replacing fluids. I did some stretching and relaxing.


Just the things I have already mentioned.


I thought this was a good race. I love Xterras and the people who compete in them. They are totally different than the road tri's (which I like doing also). I wish I had a better day, but overcoming adversity is part of the game. I am relieved to have finished the race, and was somewhat surpised that I didn't finish lower.

I will be back next year to try to do it better.