Luray Olympic Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Well, I def. made some rookie mistakes on the swim. First off, it was really foggy and I couldn't locate the yellow bouy from where I was, I should have asked but as soon as the start went off, I went. I ended up swimming towards a guy on a surf board in a yellow shirt and had to swim way back out to the first bouy. I actually had to physically stop, tread water and look for the people in red caps (first wave) because i still couldn't see the bouy from where I was. It was a really bad 'opps'. Also had trouble breathing as my wetsuit was too tight around my neck, need to remember to loosen that a future races. The rest of the swim went alright. I need to work on keeping a tighter line to the course.

Sight correctly and loosen my wetsuit at the neck.

I took my sweet time, purposefully. I remember having a really hard time getting my HR to drop down in T1 from the sprint. I didn't want to make the same mistake here. I know that I just need to take a few seconds, take a deep breath and my HR will drop about 20-30 bpm which sets me up better for the bike. Also needed to get a drink from my water bottle because I can't drink on the bike yet. My transition area was near a tree, so I had to run over the mound of mulch next to the tree to get out of my area, so I think that cost me a few seconds.

Learn to drink on the bike so that I don't spend T1 time sipping from my water bottle.

PAINFULL. My lower back started hurting within the first mile of this course. I knew it was going to be a tough ride but I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this course. There were many times I wanted to give up but at the same time I kept telling myself that I could do it and get through it and NOT to give up. Its very humbling to see people go by you as if you were standing still and at the same time made me want to work that much harder so that one day I can keep up with them. Stood up at least 20-30 times, I lost count after awhile. This was a lot of time to think about how much more time I need on the bike. This course made me realize how much work I need to put into this sport but also how badly I want it. I want to get better.

Bike, bike, bike. More time on the bike training, less time talking about training on the bike. Stregthen my back and get a proper bike fit.

So happy to be off the bike that I don't really remember anything except relief of standing up. Took a couple of deep breaths, quick thought about not doing the run, put the running shoes on and off I went.

Nothing.

This was a really rough run for me, mentally, physically and emotionally. Mentally, I kept going back and forth between stopping and keeping moving so I could finish. Physically, I was out of it. My legs had tightened up to the point that it hurt to even walk, I was dehydrated (evident by all the salt caked on my face), my chest hurt and I was having trouble breathing. Emotionally it was hard to see female after female pass me.

I don't know what else I would have done differently on the run. I think it was the swim and the bike that effected the run, so until I work out the kninks there, I think my runs are going to be rough.

I have so much respect for all those women out there who can run hard at the end of the tri. I could barely move my legs and there were people out there cranking away.

I didn't warm down, I didn't want to move. I just wanted to sit down so I could rest my back.


Training, or lack there of. I need to train consistantly.


Though this was a really hard race for me I have to say that I learned a lot about myself as a triathlete. Do I think this course was beyond my ability level? yes but I also think that it helped me realize where I need to put in the time and work. I did the best I could do on that day and I didn't leave anything out there.