St. Paul Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Wow. There were a lot of people in the water. I am a pretty weak swimmer so I was a little distracted by all the people and bumping into other swimmers. I tried drafting a couple times. I can see that as I improve it will help dramaticly but right now I just need to get better swimming so I am comfortable swimming that close to people.

I need to train more for this. I only trained swimming once in the past 2 1/2 weeks because of a hectic schedule.

I tried to run and jump on bike and then get into my shoes. I failed at this. I needed to practice it.

Practice the run and jump on bike.

This was the begining of the end for me. I made it 10 feet out of the transition and noticed that my front tire went flat. (@#^$!) So I hopped off and started to change it. I was so pissed off that the thought of quitting entered my mind. I felt good with the swim and transition. I was planning on destroying my time from last year. Then the flat tire took all the wind out of my sails. So while I was changing my flat front tire I decided that I would treat the day as a chance to train and continue the race. I got it changed and started the bike ride. I got just past the first turn-a-round at Como and started down the winding down hill. I got out of my aero bars (luckily) just to be safe in the down hill. I noticed that it was very bumpy and rough. I looked down and noticed my rear tire had gone flat. ($@%&!) Not again! I pulled off to the side and tried not to act like a child and throw a temper tantrum. I started to fix the flat. I decided that I would quit as I fixed it. Then I had an argument with myself. I kept asking myself if I was going to quit every time I came across a little adversity or if I was going to see it through. I reminded myself that the shirt I got for the event read FINISHER on the back not QUITER. I pulled my head out of my but and got ready to ride. I also wanted to say thank you to a guy who stopped to assist me. I didn't need the assist but I was amazed at the kindness and thoughtfulness of him to stop his race for a moment and offer to help. Thank you sir! I got back on the bike and started to ride.
I truely under estimated the affect the heat would have on me. I quickly went through my water supply on the first 10 miles. I ate a Cliff shot blocks. I would have ate more but I was out of water and would not have been able to stomach anything with out the water to help it down. So I continued on the course greasy, frustrated and thirsty.

I would not have 2 flat tires. I would bring my water bottles and eat more during the ride.

I was mentally fried as I entered the transition. I had a lot of time in transition to think though because the other contestants who were done were blocking my passage through the maze of racks. That was bothersome. There were people so involved in there conversations that they would not move when I excused myself as I tried to pass.

Since time was not an issue any more I decided to put on socks and start off on the run.

I would like to get a clear lane through to the bike racks. If time was an issue I wouldn't put on the socks.

I just wanted to complete the race for the day. With all the trouble from earlier I just wanted to be a finisher. I was feeling the affects of not drinking enough water now. I was feeling a bit lonely on the run. It took so long for me to get in on the bike that I was one of the last people on the course. I dumped water on my head and chest a couple times as I passed the water stations. That felt great. I just put it into my over drive speed (10 minute miles) and ran from start to finish.

I would hydrate more earlier. If I had some water on board I would have been able to pick up the pace a bit. I was also suffering from a little calorie deficit. I needed to eat something.

I crossed the line a finisher. I looked for some water and found out there was none. That is the kind of day I was having. I walked around for a bit and then got my stuff together. I congratulated the 60 year old guy next to me for doing a great job and then packed it in.


2 flat tires. Not enough water and food. Heat related issues caused from not enough water.

I just have to take this race as a training event and an opportunity to improve my mental toughness in triathlon.


Wheelock Parkway is just getting too rough to ride a race on. There needs to be more water available for the people who come in at the end and really need some water. I love St. Paul and I want to do this race again but I hope Wheelock gets fixed up for next year.

The St. Paul Police were great! They truely are the best in the business. They stood out in the heat in full uniform to stop traffic and keep the route as safe as possible. Thanks.