5430 Long Course Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I was disapointed with the swim. First time swimming in the wetsuit I don't think was a problem. Sighting was a huge problem. I had read the race reports I knew I needed shaded google. I didn't get them and the sun was a huge problem the first half of the swim. It didn't get much better after that. I saw alot of the the Reservoir. I had it in my head it was a two loop swim, not sure why. I got to the shore and was surprised everyone is pulling off there wetsuits. Good thing I did not want to get back in the water.

Get the googles and practice sighting more.

After the morning I had I did not have time to think about how I wanted everything. I knew I wasn't going to put the shoes on the bike, but if I do this event again, I will. I basically set things up like my neighbor and that was it.

Shoes on bike, stay standing while taking off my wet suit.

Great ride. I was hoping for 3 hours and 18.7 average. I did not drive the course before hand, I had looked at the profile. It was all a surprise to me. They changed the course adding a quick u turn on the back side of the loop. I thought they had said we where going to do it just on the 2nd loop. It was both loops, stupid me how would that have worked out? That turn was fun first time around I skidded to get slowed down and nearly ran into the grass/ditch. I had the bike computer on just speed and time display. I was looking at my bike computer time when it went to 1 hour and looked up and there was the 20 mile marker. I did not know if I should be excited because I was averaging 20 mph or scared because I just screwed myself for the the 2nd loop and then the run. I just assured myself in my ability to run after the bike and kept pushing.

This was the best average I have ever rode. The only thing I could have done is get my bike tuned so it might shift a little better on the rear.

Not knowing the bike course hurt me here. I was planning to leave the shoes on the bike, but did not know exactly where the line was. So I started late unstrapping the shoes. By the time I could see the line, I got the right unstraped and off but not the left. So when I hit the line to get off I had one shoe on the bike and one on my left foot. I stopped and got the left shoe off right there.

Know the bike course, at least a little.

Great run. Took about 3 miles to really feel in a running mode but right after that I started talking to a guy and we ran the rest of the race together talking.

Carry my own gels, if the aid stations had them they where sitting on the table and you had to look for them. Planned on 4 gels on the run. I sqeezed a little out of one I had while biking and finally found one hammer gel at a station.

Poured some water over my head, waded into the reservoir for some cool off. We had to get back to the hotel to get everything out by 2 and it was 12:40 when I finished. By the time I cooled off in the rez and grabbed some watermelon, it was time to grab everything out of the transition area and go. Didn't even get to try out my finishers metal/key chain/bottle opener.


Sighting on the swim, fueling on the run. My stated goal was 6 hours. If my friends on the Geekball Endurance Team doubted that would happen don't feel bad, I doubted it myself. I figured a few weeks ago best case was about 6:30. I really did have a great time during this event, joking with people on the bike as I passed and got passed, and talking with Bill on the run while we joked with and talked to others on and off. This was a great first triathlon, great confidence builder for IMFL. I am glad that there is still nearly three months till then though.


Great race, great course. Next race I will plan a bit better so I can hang out and enjoy the post race.