Peregrine Charities Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

The beach was in ruin due to flooding so they started us on a carpeted boat ramp. I think I caught my foot on one of the cinder blocks holding the carpet down or maybe it was just a big rock cuz it hurt. The number of people in my wave was pretty small so it wasn't too crowded. We spread out in a hurry or should I say they left me in the dust in a hurry. I struggled with breathing again and I never really got it comfortably in control again. The turn around was a looooong ways away. I think I prefer triangular or rectangular shaped courses. But soon enough it was over. I made a graceful exit by tripping over the carpet that was floating unsecured underwater.

Probably more swim time. I have really neglected the swim for the past 2 months.

Not too bad considering my helmet was on the ground. The new shoes went on easier (they're Tri shoes) and I took a brief moment to pop a Gas-x to combat the impending indigestion issues I usually face after a longer swim. Grabbed my bike and was off

Helmet on aerobars so I can step out of my wetsuit and pop on the helmet at the same time.

This is where things got interesting. I immediately felt slow. I don't know if it was mental or if the tire pressure was really making a noticeable difference. It didn't help that it was a small race and there was not a whole lot of people to pass. But I pushed along trying not to worry about anything and just put up the best bike split I could.

So with about 4 miles left I approached a right turn. I looped out wide to cut the inside of the corner. I cut it pretty well but there was a giant hole in the pavement. Not a pothole, but just a big, but smooth, circular depression. I shot out of that thing way left, into the oncoming lane of traffic and going way to fast. I hit the brakes, wobbled right, corrected myself, wobbled right again, and mid correction my front tire slid off the shoulder and into gravel. No way to correct that. I hit the pavement hard with my shoulder and hip. I dusted myself off and surveyed the damage to the bike and myself. Nothing major. Just a little blood and a bent brake handle. A volunteer ran over and asked me if I was alright and if I wanted to continue. Heck yeah, I'm gonna continue. The rest of the bike was uneventful. I took the next two turns very cautiously.

Um, let's see.....not crash!!!

Quick. I managed to pull my feet out of my shoes while riding for the first time ever.

Practice the feet out of shoes thing more. I was slow

This was a pretty uneventful run. After falling off the bike I decided not to push too hard. Plus I've had a nagging foot injury for the last two weeks and I didn't know how that was going to hold up. Saw Noz on his way back a little after mile 2 meaning he was two whole miles ahead of me kicking butt as usual.

Nothing really

Walked a little. Met up with my girlfriend and the rest of my family. Got the wounds cleaned at the medical tent.


Lack of swim prep. Bike crash. Foot injury.


For the first year this was a very good race. The organization was impressive and all the volunteers were great. I didn't realize I got 3rd in my age group until later that afternoon. I should have stuck around but I think I was in hurry to get cleaned up. Man, my first hardware race and I wasn't there to enjoy it. Oh well, there's gonna be plenty more opportunities next year :)