OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008 - TriathlonOlympic

Clear sky = good sighting. Gentle wave = good breathing. Seawater = good bouyancy and source of electrolytes.

Race started at the lowest tide when the current started to come in. Felt the current against me on the first leg out. 90° turn, current pushed me sideways. Tried to round the bouys as close as possible while keeping them to my left (DQ if caught swimming inside the bouys - lots of volunteers on kayaks watching).
Another 90° turn swimming with the current. Drafted off a guy for a while until he switched to breaststroke and kicked me on my waist.
90° back to the start line for the next lap.

18 min to complete a lap - too slow. Pushed on the 2nd lap out. Current effect pretty strong in all 3 sides of the rectangle except on the way back. At a buoy turn some guy grabbed my shoulder and pushed me under water. I shouted "DUDE!". Pushed even more on the way back with the aide of the current back to pier.

Slowest swim, but couldn't do much against current

Not easy to pull myself up the pier at low tide. Volunteers busy pulling others but not me. Felt disoriented. Almost fell back into the sea. Walked crossed legs up the stairs, regained balance and started jogging. Saw my old schoolmate (he was doing the sprint, waiting by the pier for his start). Check bib - still on my back. Ran bare feet for almost 4 min to TA. Easy to put on socks and bike shoes on semi dried feet from the long run. Helmet on, glasses on - the standard moves.

Pushed bike out - over 3 minutes of running with the bikes, on cleats.



This question should be "What would THEY do differently?". I would suggest shorten the transition run.

Not familiar with the bike - only rode it once a week before. Glad it fits. It's a good looking yellow Cannondale. No bike computer. No mile marker.

Ate a gel right after mounting. Drank every 15 min. Hot. Saw lots of confusion - the sprint bike course overlaps part of the oly course. Oly course has a 3-loop repeat. Athletes kept asking questions. Lots of volunteers around.

In the 3-loop repeat there was a stray dog playing dodge with the bikers. Almost ran into my front wheel. Yelled "NO!!!!" Dog change direction. Heard another voice "get out of here", then another voice "hey!!!" and so on. Volunteers tried to catch the dog but it's in the middle of the race. Still there when I did the 2nd loop. Didn't see it on the 3rd. The hair-pin turn was tough. Slowed way down to avoid crashing into railing, then immediately followed by an upward slope.

The bike leg felt quick. 3-loop repeats then back to Disney.

If the mileage was right, then I had a PB on the bike leg. Need to confirm with official results.

do better in turning/cornering

Very long walk after dismount. Jelly legs. Fighting not to fall. Finished the remaining water in my bottle while walking the bike back to rack.

Hell. Pan-fry. Very slow run. Personal worst.

No mile marker. Walked a lot on the first loop. Water station spacing wasn't ideal - a long stretch without station and a couple were close together. Kept pouring water over body. Saw my sprint friend heading to the finish. Feet felt like boiling - had the imagination of smoke coming off when I take of my shoes. Try to think of silly things to pass the time. Maintained a jogging motion toward the finish.

Should have grabbed a gel to eat on the run. They only provide water.

Crossed finish line, got finisher's medal, tried not to fall.
Saw friend and his friends. Hung out with them and chat. Friend lives pretty close to my parents' and he gave me a ride home.



Heat.


A race in a different country where tri isn't a popular sports - I don't expect high levels of organization, and it's not fair to compare the events with those I attended in the US. I have to say I am pleased to see lots of people helping and racing.