Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic - TriathlonOlympic

This was a time trail start off a boat ramp. We went in waves of four swimmers every 10 seconds. My first 200 meters were tight and off direction. I got "clown face" from the water, which was a perfect temperature. But my face needed to adjust so my upper body was stiff, my breathing a little irregular, and I didn't sight for crap. I will say that veering to the outside did get me out of the initial traffic and allowed me to find my rhythm.

This was my first open water race. I had trained in lakes for this distance, but had not encountered race conditions before. I bumped into a bunch of people, but I was never kicked or really hit. I got bonked on the head a couple of times from somebody's swim stroke. The only time I experience any brutality was on the finishing kick when somebody clearly got frustrated and pounded on my calves a few times. But I did what any self respecting swimmer would do...pulled away.

I would want to swim faster. Since this was my first open water race, I wanted to simply "get my feet wet" so to speak. One clear way to do that is find my rhythm much quicker in the beginning. That will take some mental work. Next, is a matter of training harder next year so I will become a stronger swimmer.

Target time for swim: 35 minutes. I beat my goal!

I intentionally took my time during this transition. I wanted to make sure I didn't rush to the bike after the swim. I took decongestants and other pills to help with my symptoms, ate a gel, and packed up my bag (volunteers returned bags to finish area).

Just do this faster. No biggie.

There were several extended stretches when the wind was at my back, and I tried to take advantage. I didn't not have a bike computer so I went on how my body felt, and it felt good except for my back. However, I did beat my goal time and average so I consider the ride a grand success. I don't think I hydrated enough. My level of hydration was fine for the ride, but I took a hit during the run.

Get some aero bars. And hydrate better.

Again, just took my time here. I wanted to make sure my shoes were on properly. I also took a moment to stretch my back and calves, which were tight.

I have no idea how I turned a negative split on this run. I started suffering from what was probably a combination of mild dehydration and heat exhaustion. I had to walk for about 90 seconds around mile four. I poured water on my head and drank what my upset stomach would allow. It was not a strong run for me, but I did manage to beat a goal time of 60 minutes. I can't complain too much and I am encouraged to think what my time would have been had my body to suffered.

I need to hydrate better on the bike. Also, I need to learn to take in more fluid as well as a gel on the run. I was feeling horrible so I didn't take the get I had with me. I'm going to rate this as an average run despite feeling horrible on the second half because the overall time and performance was good enough to be 60 minutes.

My warm down consisted of finding my way to the Texas Triple Threat tent to sit down. Upon crossing the finish line, a race volunteer hovered over me to make sure I was okay. I'm sure I looked like hell and I had a brain/body disconnect going on. I drank lots of fluid and ate oranges and grapes. I began to feel better shortly after that.


The dehydration was the big issue. I was probably also suffering some effects form my illness the day before, but I did all I could do for that. I probably ran on fumes and it caught up to me on the run.


I can't say enough about this race. The number of volunteers was staggering. They were very helpful and around every corner and intersection on the bike course. A very well run race that I would like to do again next year if my schedule allows.