MotorCity Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Had to walk forever before we could actually start swimming. Then even when you wanted to start swimming many people were still walking making it difficult to swim. Felt a bit crowded and anxious until rounding the first corner bouy. Then the pack thinned and I felt more comfortable and starting to fall into a good pace. Started to catch some swimmers from the 1st wave. After rounding the second corner bouy I found it difficult to site the final bouy as we were heading into the sun. Followed the crowd and made it in. Long walk to the beach in shallow water but used the time to get my wetsuit top, goggles, and swimcap off. Also got the "suspenders" of my bottoms pulled down.

Maybe tinted goggles to help deal with the direct sunlight. Try to avoid the crowd of "walkers" at the start.

T1 was a bit slowed because I had to put all swim gear into a bag that would be moved to the end of the race (2 transition areas). Luckily I had read posts prior to the race and I brought my own large duffel bag that I marked with my race number. This was much easier than stuffing everything into the tiny plastic bags given at the race. Overall I felt pretty good with my transition.

Maybe practice mounting bike with shoes already attached.

I was pretty happy with my performance on the bike. I averaged 21.5 which is really good for me but the course is also very flat and fast. I don't think the wind was as strong as some people have commented about in previous years. I had just picked up my new bike at 4:00 the day before and considering it hadn't even been professionally fit yet I was pleased with the ride. I also used the new profile aero drink bottle with the new top and it was nice not getting soaked when I hit the bumps. I think I may have had some more in me but since it was my first oly I didn't know how much I needed to save for the 6.6 mile run.

Drink less on the bike. I took in about a bottle and a half of fluids and when I started to run I kept feeling like it was going to come back up. Need to get in more bike training (I had been without my tri-bike for at least a month leading up to this race and had been training on my mtn. bike). Hopefully next year I won't run my tri-bike into the roof of my garage a month before the race :)

A little tricky finding the turnout for T2 and followed a slower rider in. Didn't want to pass because I was still unsure where I was going. Racked bike and got helmet off quickly. Had to sit to put on socks and shoes. Tossed on the hat and decided to leave the packet of GU behind since my stomach was feeling like I had taken in too much water on the bike.

Need to figure out a faster way to get the socks on or train to run sockless. I would also scout ahead to locate the turnout and path to T2.

The run was a challenge and a bit of a gut-check for me. I felt pretty good at first but also had a constant feeling that I could throw up all my fluids I consumed on the bike at any moment. I was trying to judge my pace by taking splits from my watch but after mile 1 I never saw any more markers. If there were any markers I certainly didn't see them. On the second loop I had to dig a little deeper. I felt like I was running slow but was pleasantly surprised with the just over 8 minute pace I discovered after the race.

Judging from this as my first oly I am going to have to be careful with my upcoming HIM to pace myself so that I have enough left for the longer run. It would have been a very serious challenge to pull another 6.6 miles out of my run today.

Saw my wife, kids, and father at the finish line. Great way to end a great race on Father's Day.


I definitely enjoyed this race and will seriously consider it for next year as an opener for the season. The Detroit and Windsor skylines were a great backdrop and overall the race seemed fairly well organized. I understand there were limited bathroom facilities but luckily my bodily functions were cooperating with me well that morning :) I'm also glad I got there a little early since the lines for body marking and timing chips got really long really fast.