Long Beach Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Yes, that was me! The red cap backstroking swimmer who swam inside the buoys not once, but twice! But I dealt with it with uncommon (for me)grace - I just laughed at myself and swam back to where I was supposed to be swimming.
I did the fwd crawl on the way out to the buoy - without getting my face in the water. I tried to get my face in, but I felt like my lungs constricted when I did that. After rounding the buoy, I tried the backstroke (which I'm way more comfortable and proficient with) and found it to be very soothing, relaxing and productive (despite going off-course twice).
Bumping into or being bumped into by other swimmers didn't freak me out like I had imagined it would. Most people were really polite and cool about it.
I should have backstroked into shore but I got too ambitious and tried to fwd crawl. With my head out of water, I expended too much energy, which haunted me for the rest of the race.
But overall, I was pleased with my swim. I know a 22.3 min 1/2 mi time wouldn't impress a lot of people, but the whole swim experience went soo much better than I had imagined!

More open water swimming practice!!!!! Like two months before the event; not 2 weeks!
Actually practicing the drills and stroke techniques I read about in the books I checked out from the library!
If our grove of money trees hadn't died, I would have invested in a swimming coach or joined one of those tri groups that charges way too much $$$ for training.
Take advantage of some open water practice sessions that some tri organizers offer at a reasonable fee.
If anyone knows of free or reasonably priced open water coaching or group open water swims in the OC area, please speak up!

Was I doing my nails or blow drying my hair in there or what?!?
But seriously - despite my having gotten a great rack position on the end, someone set up (more like jammed) their space outside the rack next to me. Is this legal in other tris? I'm curious. Would I have been out of line dumping her bike and tossing her stuff away? Seriously, I know that's bad sportsmanship and really bad karma.
Wetsuit removal at heels was lousy as was cleaning feet. My other HUGE mistake was not wearing my biking/running shorts under my wetsuit. Negotiating a bathing suit bottom change with a towel without practicing prior was just plain foolish! Additionally, I left my biking gloves turned inside out from a previous ride. I thought I had my water and GUs situated properly, but I fumbled a lot trying to replenish water and fuel and didn't do either efficiently.

Practice, practice, practice!! Don't be an idiot like me and ignore every piece of tri advice you read on practicing transitions!

Wear tri shorts under wetsuit.

GU myself on bike ride, not T1. Add another bottle cage to my bike for Cytomax.

Let's see...after having the misfortune of plopping myself in the mount line behind this totally geared-out tri chick who couldn't clip her shoes in and having no space to pass and that pesky heart rate thing, the bike ride was fun.
On the first 5.5 mi, I was on track to come in at 38-39 mins. 40 was my goal. But that heart rate wouldn't come down despite my intermittent efforts to slow down. I sounded awful; I was practically wheezing - VERY LOUDLY. I'm surprised people didn't stop to point and stare.


More aggressive mount line strategy.
Drink MORE fluids.
Improve efforts at taking deep breaths to regulate heart rate.
Bring my Garmin.
Someday - a waaayyyy lighter bike.

As you can see, gotta work on those transition times!
Really got to work on racking bike, especially when the unpredictable (late arriving athlete who racks bike where one shouldn't) occurs.
Biked with my running shoes so I should not have eaten up this much time.


Practice, practice, practice!
Use a lighter bike.
Bring my Garmin.

My goal was to set a running p.r. - something in the 8:20-8:25 range (my previous pr was 8:38 at the Placentia 5K), but that elevated h/r had me really concerned so I ran with walk breaks. With no Garmin, it was really difficult to guage my pacing - I'm not good at this on my own. I had proper endurance and speed work training, so outside of the h/r thing, I had the legs and strength to p.r.
However, I did kick it into this turbo gear when I saw the finish line. For about .15-.20 mile, I became Usain Bolt. I FLEW. And nothing hurt; and suddenly my heart rate wasn't an issue. Now if I could only feel that way for a whole race! When I crossed the finish I still had a ton of energy and my body felt great - I had a lot left in the tank.

WEAR MY GARMIN!!!!
More water and GU.
Go to the stinking dr as advised by my trainer and the owner of the gym I train at who have been concerned about my elevated heart rate for some time now.
Push harder - WAY harder.

Not enough stretching.


Elevated heart rate.


Despite my disappointing times in the bike and run and in T1& T2, I'm pleased with my performance. The hiccups I experienced were so minor and proved to be a great learning experience. I'm lucky that I didn't have to deal with any remotely catastrophic issues (mechanical issues on bike, cramping, etc). I had a really good time and enjoyed the overall vibe of the race. Lots of really nice people. Great first time tri experience.
To anyone contemplating a tri - especially AOAs (adult onset ahtletes), read Jayne Williams' "Slow Fat Triathlete". It is a must read for newbies, especially those of us who weren't athletic in our younger years. She's incredibly inspiring and encouraging and she offers lots of sage advice (which I didn't follow).
I'm really interested in hearing from anyone who experiences tachycardia, exercise induced asthma or other issues with elevated heart rate.