Playtri Olympic - TriathlonOlympic

UNFREAKINGBELIEVABLE.
OK, this is not an excuse log - I'm not the BEST swimmer, but I've never struggled in any of my OW races (I count 7 in last 4 yrs - not counting the countless OW swim workouts w/and w/o wetsuits). I usually end up right in the middle of the pack. Something happened...I still dont exactly know what.

From the start I should've suspected trouble when my HR was high upon entering water. I wasnt really nervous, just cold, I guess. I was surprised that PlayTri chose to start the women (ONLY 50! there were 188 men!) in front of the men. I think that is insane...I'm sure it had something to do w/the bike course and keeping it tighter, but unsafe is an UNDERSTATEMENT in a swim in a canal w/concrete walls. Crazy.

Anyway, started off and from stroke #1 I knew something wasnt right. It usually takes me about 100m to get in my rhythm...I couldnt get there. I couldnt breathe and almost flagged down kayak. I had to unzip my wetsuit in an effort to breathe. I could not get more than 4 strokes going at a time. I'm still baffled. Truly.

So, as I was struggling to get it together I could hear and then FELT the men come barreling over us. Normally, I'm fine...I can handle it. This time, I was truly concerned and considered bailing out.

I cant say enough about the mystery that was my swim. I even went back to the last Oly I did and it was a WEAK swim for me...it was 35 minutes. This was insane.

At the turn I decided I wasnt going to quit. I struggled thru it and made it out. Still cant believe I did...truly.


I'm not sure what to say. I'm still confused as to why this happened to me. I hear everyone has a race like this at some point...I'm chalking it up to the cold air and my high HR before entry.

I think the only thing I'd do differently is to SKIP THIS FREAKIN RACE.

wetsuit strippers were a great idea...but not enough of them. My girl couldnt get it off my ankles...frustrating, but I was happy to have her helping after that trainwreck of a swim.

Long run up hill into transition...made for long t1. Felt like crying when I saw hubby bc that swim was so scary. But, I was ready to get on the bike. Cold as could be, but ready. Wore my jacket for the ride.

maybe dry off feet better...they were numb for the next 2 hours

I had some issues w/gear changing...mainly bc of the wind.

Fueling/drinking felt just right. I ate 100 cal every 30 mins - 400 in all (blocks). I drank 1 bottle of H20 and about 1/2 bottle of Gu20.

not sure...I'm upset it was so weak. I was hoping for an 18mph avg. I fought the wind and looking back, I think that swim took more out of me than I realized.

Feet were numb. I rode w/jacket on (good choice) and had to take it off. Grabbed blocks and took swig of H20. Got shoes on fast even tho numb. Never more ready to get out to the run.

nothing

Feet stayed numb until I neared 2 mile mark...I remember the moment when I could feel toes again. I usually run barefoot in my shoes, but this day I got a bad blister twd end. I felt like if the wind wouldnt have set me back, I couldve gotten a sub-10 mile. I also felt like I had another 5 miles in me...good news since this was a test race for my HIM prep.

Roll on socks in T2. Push harder for that 10 minute mile!!

Hmmmm.

well, my warmdown included a trip to the ER for 4 hours. It seems my body was pretty stressed...not sure yet what is going on, but I'm suspecting that swim did more to me than I realized. Still seeing drs and have some add'l testing to be done tomorrow.


THAT SWIM...and the below avg bike.


I will not do another PlayTri race. i'm sure they are great people, but the last PlayTri race I did the lack of volunteers sent several runners (my hubby included) off course for over a mile. I think having weak volunteer turnout is the biggest failure w/this race.