Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon - Triathlon

Average swim. I've devoted little time to swim training this year. Evident compared to others.

Train more.

Decent T1. Bad bike mount, in that it was not fluid enough.

Dunno. It is what it is. Time was ok considering how long Transition was.

First flat ever. Race was going well to this point. I lost a lot of time here. I actually decided to DNF and wait for SAG, but somehow talked myself into trying to fix the flat again, and getting back out there. It worked..

Flat Scenario.. for future ref.

1. Hit pot hole, flatted immediately.
2. Stopped, layed bike on 45 degree angle, contents of aero bottle spilled everywhere.
3. Could not get rear tire off. Felt like I had to bend things to get it off, but refused to do that.
4. Figured out that I needed to get chain off front big ring in order to get rear tire off. Proved difficult cause rear tire was half off already. Couln't just turn the pedals and shift the gear. Took chain all the way off front rings with my hands.. (lots of grease)
5. Rear tire was still difficult to remove.. note: Felt B12. Need to find out trick here.
6. Got tire off, removed old tube, put in new tube, put tire back on. Went to fill with air, no valve. Removed half of tire, looked and saw valve laying flat on the wheel. Removed more tire, picked up tube, and inserted valve. Replaced tire, filled with air.
7. Tire bulged over the side of wheel in two locations.
8. Determined that this was a lost cause and waited for SAG.
9. Got bored and tried again. released old air, adjusted tube, refilled with last air cartridge, and everything looked good.
10. Tried to put rear wheel back on. Was as difficult as getting the wheel off the bike.
11. Wheel is back on, but crooked. Looked for the cause. Ready to give up again. Found that rear brake was forcing the wheel over to the left. Adjusted the brake, then wheel was on straight.
12.. took a deep breath, got on bike, and back into the race. Total time lost was 20 plus minutes. I didn't time it. All I know is that total bike time on my watch was 30 minutes when I started back up.. and I was only at mile 3.

I hammered the rest of the bike. Knew I was out of the race, so didn't care if I blew out my legs. Wanted to see how hard I could push on those hills.

Then the rainstorm. Awesome experience. Top 3 tri experience for me.

Avoid Pot Holes. Not Flat.. and most important, really learn how to change my rear tire on this particular bike. I did it on my old bike with no problem.. here? Not so much.

Was worried about my camcorder in my Transition bag, so took some time to check that, then further secure it from the rain. Other than that, I was not really racing so I was more deliberate.

Nothing. T's are getting better for me.

Good run. I was running angry at this point. More cause I wanted to be angry, then that I actually was angry. I wanted to push myself psychologically, and I think I suceeded. Sometimes you need to take yourself to dark places to find out what your made of. Not saying 47:49 makes me special, but I didn't quit on myself, and for that, I am proud. Came close on the bike, but I didn't quit.

Nothing.. run faster. I can, and will. The simple difference now between me and minutes, is losing weight.

Walked over to NAMC area, chatted with the Bachmann's, chatted with some others, then pretty much wrapped it up. Wanted to get on the road. I was tired, and a lil crabby. :)


ummm flat tires kill races. other than that, lack of swim training on the swim and 173 lbs instead of 160 lbs.. which is where I should be if I want to be faster.


Always one of the best. It's a few very small things away from a 5 from me, so I'll give it a 4. Either way, it's a keeper on my schedule. This was my 3rd year in a row.