XTERRA Fort Yargo - TriathlonSprint

Since I've done this race before, I knew the start was a mass start. I thought I had placed myself pretty well but it turned out I was more near the front than I anticipated. The gun went off and we started swimming and there were people everywhere. I am terrible at swimming around and over people so I got caught up and couldn't find clear water. I had to breath every stroke, couldn't get a rhythm and swallowed a bunch of water every time I tried to sight. The amount of people made the water choppy and I kept getting water in my face, enough to make me gag. I had to stop and tread water and heave several times. I really thought I was going to throw up right there in the water. Ick. I was barely 1/2 way to the first buoy and figured I might as well keep going, the bike couldn't be worse. I finally got some clear water and could swim but I felt like I was crawling.

Rounded the buoys and swam straight to shore. As soon as I could stand, I stood up and started taking off my wetsuit. I was probably in the middle of the pack. I used my watch time as my swim time, I remembered to hit the lap button when I entered transition but that was the only time I did it right.

Place myself differently. Umm, not swallow water. This was a below average swim for me. I know I can go faster. I've decided full wetsuits just aren't for me.

The suit got stuck on my arms, full suits are tight! Jogged to transition and tried to strip the suit the rest of the way but it got stuck on my feet. Dammit! Finally got it off and got my bike shoes on. I decided to go without socks for this race. Not so much to save time (although getting socks on wet feet is a PITA!) but because I don't really need them. Shoes, gloves, helmet, camelbak, bike and I was out.

I don't know, practice taking the wetsuit off? That thing is almost more trouble than it's worth. I don't think I lost a ton of time when it got stuck but it's a pain.

I get out of transition and was doing pretty well - there were still a bunch of bikes on racks. Ok, great, gonna be a good ride. I think I got 50 feet when I hear "Flat! You've got a flat!" I think, "Me? Is he yelling at me? Shit, it is me."

I hop off the bike, see the tire is completely flat. Of course, it's the back wheel. Fabulous. I turn the bike upside down and get the rear wheel off. I get the tube changed and start pumping it up and hear a hissing. Dan was right there and I asked him if he heard it. Pump some more and it's hissing - yep, it's going flat. Fuuuuuudge. Get the tire off and check the tire to see if I feel anything and I don't feel anything sharp. Start the process again and get it changed and then I can't get the wheel back on. Finally get it in and locked, flip the bike over and try to roll it forward, the chain is stuck and then it throws the chain to the outside. Oh, come on!?! I change the gears so I can get it back on the big ring and get going, once again. The tire pressure was low but my mini-pump doesn't have a gauge so I had to guess. During the whole process I think I had 4 or 5 guys offer to help - which was nice (even though I know how to change them!) but had to decline and tell them they can't help me. So, back off, buddy! Just kidding, I tried to be nice but was more than a little frustrated.

When the second one went flat I felt the tears and was ready to say f**k it. On the verge of tears, I told Dan that I didn't want to be last. I looked at my watch and saw that this whole ordeal had taken me 12 minutes. TWELVE minutes I lost! This is why my swim shows up as 33 minutes; my swim time includes T1 and they started the bike clock when I passed the trailer. Found the suckiupitude and rode out to the bike course. I took a gel at the beginning of the ride.

The course mostly followed the outer loop which is pretty tame as far as mountain bike courses go, EXCEPT they included a new section in the race. You know you're in for an interesting ride when there are signs that read "Monster Mile" and "Steep Climb." For me, the bad news was that the new section was included, the good news was that I rode it last weekend so it wasn't unexpected. I was able to pass some folks but since I had such a long delay, I pretty much had the trail to myself. I think I passed 10-12 people. My rear tire was low which slowed me down but it helped me keep traction on a few tough climbs so I'm undecided if it was a total wash. I actually stopped once to put more air in the tire but it still felt lower then I normally ride. The rest of the ride was mostly uneventful, but definitely slower than normal and I was glad to finally get back to the start.

Not get two flats.

Nothing major. Found my rack, took off my stuff, slipped my running shoes on and grabbed my hat and race belt. I jogged out of transition and headed out.

Probably nothing except hustle more.

The run includes my T2 time and I'd like to think I took a couple minutes in transition but I really have no idea. I think I went out too fast because right off the bat, my HR was high. I ran until I went back in the woods and walked to take a gel. The run followed the mountain bike course until the turn off at the Monster Mile. Then we crossed the pipeline to pick up some of the inner loop. I mostly ran, took walk breaks when my HR made a big jump, and ran the rest of the way. This year, I'd say I ran almost the entire time but it was slow-going. I felt strong when I was running and my pace felt good but it was definitely slower then I wanted.

I took my amphipod bottle with me again because there is only one water table on the entire run and I am so glad I did. It started to get hot and I felt dehydrated. I didn't see many people on the run. I think I saw 2 or 3 people during the entire run.

Oh, and not long after I started, 2 mountain bikers came up behind me, they were more courteous than I was. I said something like, "Dude, I'm racing." I'm sure I came off as bitchy when he wasn't being a jerk (I think they were kinda waiting) but I couldn't help it - it just came out. Oops, sorry Dude. It's not their fault the park probably said it was okay to ride the trails when the race was still happening. (the trails were supposed to be closed until 11)

Like every race... run more. It's no secret running is my least favorite so I can't be surprised when my run is less than stellar. This run was about average for me, below average for everyone else.

None. I was done. I got a Gatorade and walked around. Talked to Terry (rockrunner) about the race and saw Curtis and chatted for a few minutes. I packed up my crap, checked the preliminary posted results and got the hell outta Dodge.


Hmmm, poor seeding on the swim, 2 flats on the bike, lack of running in the last couple of weeks. I wanna say my mishaps messed me up from the get-go but I thought I was better prepared for this race. I feel like I'm missing something but can't put my finger on it. It just wasn't my day, I suppose.


This is a good race and well organized. The course was more technical than last year so I think it makes it an intermediate level bike course. The post-race food consisted of meatball subs, potato salad and baked beans. While mountain bikers may like that stuff after racing, I wanted no part of it. I was happy to see bananas and apples too. The RD and his wife are super nice but I would have liked some different options.