Summer Sizzler International Distance Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

The course looked LONG but then again it is the stretched out version (unlike the 25 meter pool) The first lap was fine, freestyle the whole way, but the shore in/out/in again was a little tough due to the rocks. This was due to the lake being down from lack of rain. The second lap I switched between FS & BS but continued at a good steady pace. I was not the fastest swimmer but I made it through with plenty of energy and ready to knock out the bike leg.

I didn't have any problems with the distance but I would like to swim a little faster. Practice, practice, practice :)

T1 was fast in/out. I put a minute but that's b/c we didn't have timing chips so it's a rough time estimate. It was a very good transition and I am happy with it.

Nothing

I mounted the bike and managed to get both my feet in and strapped before I made the first turn and up a hill...lucky. From there I just started pumping at a smooth cadence out of the park and onto the first of many hills. A word of warning, this was an extremely HILLY course! I read a book once about magical places where hills go up, up and up but never come down well I think I found the land of eternal hills during this race. Every time I went up a hill I thought awesome I get a come back down a hill some time soon...I was very disappointed. On a lighter note I was trailing Brian out of T1 but somehow caught him around mile 7...YES!!! I have never seen him during a bike leg b/c he is usually so far in front of me it is sad. We played leapfrog for the remaining 16 miles taking turns being "number one". I have to say I have never had as much fun during a bike leg as I did during this race. We also passed a number of riders as we were really hitting the hills well and the friendly competition kept us moving along. We headed into T2 and I had him until I kicked my water cage and he jumped by me into T2...he was laughing as he did it!! I found out after the race that he had set a new PR so it meant I did as well...Brian gets all the credit for making me faster and more confident on the bike. He will probably stop helping me train after this.

nothing I had a great day. With a new PR I can't say much.

I snagged my water bottle as I dismounted and ended up knocking my bottle and one shoe off of the bike. I grabbed the shoe but had to kick the WB into the grass and out of the way. I took a mental note to grab it afterwards. As I was putting on my shoes a volunteer placed the WB back into the cage, I told them thanks and headed out for the run. VERY COOL!!

Watch the dismount a little more. Practice

Well I have finally come to realize that the run is by far the weakest link in my game. Right off the bike I knew I was in for a hard grueling run. I came out of T2 and headed past the first water station, grabbed H2O and dumped it on my head mostly. I tried to settle into a comfortable pace but couldn't find one...this entire time I watched Brian fade into the distance just like a western. That was the least of my worries as my ankle (which I had sprained a week before) had finally decided it had given me all it could give. I never had much pain but it had fatigued entirely to quickly. Throwing that out of the equation, I made it past the first hill coming back into the park but then I hit the parking lot...good lord that was rough. It was extremely steep and I had to really focus on moving my feet forward. After the down hill I slowly made the rest of the loop which meant it was time to repeat...this time it was about the same just even slower than the first. I made it to the last roundabout and heard Brain & Stephanie yelling for me to pick it up and bring it home. I may have said something to the effect of "I was bringing it, just not going anywhere". I managed to push the hammer down a little more and finished strong. One day I'm hoping to help motivate Brian at the end!!

BRICKS and more training on the run.

Water, water and then walked around and jogged a little. I grabbed a few fig newtons and forced them down. I felt better after few minutes. Talked with Brian and a number of other racers about the course. Brian and I walked down to the finish line and cheered people on for a while then slowly gathered our stuff and loaded the car.


Practice...but mostly I need to train harder on the bricks. The run is my weakest link.


I thought that this race was extremely challenging and I'm glad I did it. I am very interested in competing in it again next year.