Portage Lakes Sprint Triathlon - Akron Internation - TriathlonSprint

This swim can best be described as disastrous. The only thing that went right was the first 30 seconds. I started right at the front like I wanted to, and got to a great start. Then I don't know what happened, but within the first 100m I got so dizzy that I thought I wasn't even going to make it to the first buoy. I decided to pull breast stroke to see if I could regain my bearings and keep going. I was able to, but I wasted the first 250 meters or so breaststroking. Once I got around the second buoy and had the long straight leg, I was fine. But by then I had lost so much time that I was getting discouraged and having a hard time mentally keeping going at a good pace. And swallowing someone's huge wake didn't help either. I also felt that I was getting off course too easily, straying too far from the buoys. So it wasn't a very "tight" loop. I basically just took the survival mentally and did whatever it took to get out of the water. I should have been out in 15 minutes or less.

Everything. I don't understand this dizziness thing that seems to happen to me in OWS but it needs to be resolved. This was the first time it was bad enough to make me feel like I had to stop. I had such a good start and it was destroyed within seconds! GRRRR! I think the only thing that is going to help is OWS practice. I did all of my races without any OWS practices. I don't have the fear/panic attack problem so I figured I didn't really "need" them...but now I see how wrong THAT mentality is!

This was an OK transition. Hit the beach running hard and passed quit a few people (why do people walk up to transition?! what a silly way to lose time!). But when I got to my bike and put my socks on I realized I hadn't undone my shoe laces! DOH! So I had to untie them then RE-tie them. Other than that faux pa, I was fine.

Remember to untie my laces!

I was very happy with this bike. It's the only leg I feel happy with! I know 16.2 mph isn't anything to throw a party about, but I would say I did pretty good with the hills because I passed people struggling on every single hill. So I think I managed the course well. On on hill, the WORST climb by far, this stupid car got all tangled up in us and I didn't know what to do (couldn't pass the car on the laft and didnt't want to risk going to his right). In turn, I lost all of my momentum from the coming down the previous hill and did not switch into a low enough gear. By the time I was at the top I felt like I was CRAWLING. Luckily that was the worst hill and the course evened out a lot after that.

I made sure to up my drinking on the bike this time, and managed to get down about 18 oz. of water by the end of the ride.

Not too much. I spent more time spinning this race then last, which was one of my goals. Used my gears well and didn't really have any problems.

Decent T2, but I was kind of in slow-mo. Took in a swig of water and Gatorade, put on my visor, and remembered to take a puff off my inhaler. I think that really helped this time on the run.

Other than get my tale in gear faster, nothing.

As Gary would say, I felt I ran this like a pregnant elephant. First, my shoes were COMPLETELY water logged. ICK. Second, they were handing out this GAWDAWFUL stuff called "HEED" instead of Gatorade. I nearly gagged. WTF IS that stuff?!?

Anyways, I didn't really feel bad at all during the run. My legs simply were NOT going any faster. After the first mile I pretty much just went on autopilot, which was a good thing. I didn't really have anyone good to pace off of around me either, so I was lacking motivation. The last half miles, my legs were REALLY hurting. Both legs from the knee down, especially in my tendons. I think I am going to be hurting pretty bad in a day or two.

I think this run time simply reflects my (a) lack of general run training due to a season of shin splints, and (b)my lax training in August. I had not done a SINGLE brick workout since my race in July. The only explanation is just plain unpreparedness.

Walked around, drank water. Ate cookies, banana, oranges, watermelon, and OREOS!!! Yum!


1. The disastrous swim and lack of OWS experience.
2. The dramatic drop in training volume the last 6 weeks.
3. The continued battle with shin splints.


This was a really great race put on by HFP. Very well organized, very professional. Music, announcer, on-time start, plenty of parking, course was well-manned and well-marked. Yummy snacks afterwards too! I really enjoyed this race and would definitely do it again.