American Warrior Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

This was my first time swimming in a lake for a race. IT WAS AWESOME. I like it uch better than a pool. The water was pretty warm considering the air temp was in the mid 50's for the morning. I brought a wetsuit but didn't wear it because nobody else had one. To my benefit, the wetsuit I had was not a triathlon wetsuit, it is my county issued water rescue wetsuit for swiftwater rescue work. It's thick and I haven't swam in it ever!

Nothing except swim faster.

Faster than my first race. I will be investing in tri specific bike shoes next season. I hate the wet feeling I have in the road shoes. Found a way to roll my socks so it's supper easy to put them on. Controlled my breathing and lowered my heart rate prior to the bike start.

Keep practicing until I get faster/automatic.

The RD made a statement prior to the swim start he said, "This is a tough race for tough people." I thought he was reffering to the touchness it takes to be in Special Operations since this race benefited wounded special ops warriors but now's I'm sure he meant to say, "Get ready to ride up hills for the next hour!" Bottom line, I need to be a better cyclist. I did have a noticble improvement in confidence this time around. I spent about 20 minutes in aero when it was flat. The new bars (Profile Design T2+) are great. Once they were adjusted I feel like I could hang out in aero for a long time. I cornered well and wasn't afraid and I got out of the saddle to climb those hills. I passed a few people but got passed by more than a few. I felt like I actually "worked" on the bike and will no focus on getting better.

Spend more time climbing hills and focus on some bike specific leg excercises pre-race.

Way faster this time. I messed up my Garmin so I don't have time. I racked the bike, changed shoes and took of with my race belt towards the run start mat.

Hydrate/fuel better on the bike prior to the run start. I debated whether or not to take the GU gell I had taped to my top tube and didn't and paid for it on the run.

HORRIBLE. This was my worst run all season. Within 500yds of leaving the run start mat, I started to have horrible stomach cramps. I developed a side stitch about 1 mile in and that took about another 1 mile to get rid of. I coughed on the water I got from the water stopped. I burped up lemon Gatorade and watched my pace go from 8:15 which has been my goal since my last race in August to a crappy (for me) 10:41/mi. at one point. I never walked and actually caught a lady who blew passed me early on. I finished ahead of her but later found out she got lost and instantly felt worse about myself.

Train Train Train.

Walked around with my wife and kids. Drank water, ate a banana, and watched the awards ceremony.


Inexpierience plain and simple.


I LOVED this race. It was for a great cause and provided a great cap to my 2008 tri season. I was intimidated by the level of the racers and there were only 29 of us and no "novice" group so I was forced to race AG. I saw some flashy bikes at registration and felt out of my league. But, as triathletes are some of the most friendly people I have met they were all really cool and we joked with each other about how cold that water was gonna feel and plenty of good natured ribbing to let the Special Ops giuys get a head start for the swim. I felt way out of place standing at the dock for the swim start but when I rounded the 1st swim buoy and saw how many people were behind me I was stoked and thought, "Maybe I have a better chance than I thought." A small race but it was awesome. I will definately run it next year and be ready for the bike to give those hills a little P.A.Y.B.A.C.K. And besides, the Patriot Guard Riders were the race volunteers ushering us through intersections. Nothing says "CLEAR THE WAY, TRIATHLETES COMING TROUGHT!" like guys and girls on Harleys!