Toyota Desert International Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Really felt smooth this time. I was a bit nervous about the added distance, but I felt like this went well. The start was relatively easy, and I quickly found open space. Most significantly, I really worked to "pull up" my wetsuit, and that took a lot of pressure off my shoulders. Stroke was pretty easy. I settled into a nice easy rhythm and just went with it. I think I learned something recently in training about maintaining a nice pace without pushing it too much- there is definitely a diminishing return as added effort leads to fatigue and poor form. In the end, I felt like I could have swam further.

Also, and this was a bonus, I didn't get significantly off course for once! A little bit off here and there, but I was mostly in a straight-ish line. Nice.

Just train more so I can be going faster at the same level of comfort.

Mostly incident free T1, but I took my time. Shoes went on somewhat slowly. Forgot water bottle to rinse feet (didn't need it). Also added the step of putting my 305 this time (worth it). Forgot my gloves (didn't need them). Liked having a tri top under the wetsuit and not having to put one on.

Need to do dry runs. I have everything together conceptually, but need practice so I can quicken the pace and not forget stuff.

Wow. I am not a good cyclist. I told myself on the course I would type this, twice: Cycling is my limiter. Repeat, cycling is my limiter.

My goal going in was to have a smooth first loop and then kick it into gear depending upon how I felt. I accomplished the first part, but my pace was terribly slow. Over the course of the race, I think I was passed more than a hundred times, and only passed a handful of people myself. I just don't have the leg strength to turn a bigger gear for any length of time. And, my training rides have been too short, and too easy.

By about the half way point, my legs were starting to feel moderate to high levels of fatigue, though my breathing and HR were good and quite manageable. I started to worry that I'd compromise the run. So, instead of kicking it up a notch, I kept it steady, and noticed my pace decline a mph. My upper legs/gluts started screaming, maybe because too much of my training has been on the exercise bike in a different position.

On the good side of the ledger, my hydration was good, and the plan to have a gel after the first lap went well. Just enough.

Overall, I am disappointed, and almost embarrassed by my showing, but I have my work cut out for me.

Train harder. Go on longer training rides. Chart and systematically increase resistance on exercise bike rides. Consider weight training.

Feet were dead asleep again, despite effort on bike to "wiggle toes" periodically. Maybe I need to go from mountain bike peddles/shoes to the upgrade. Shoes went on okay, but fumbled laces and wasted some time. Otherwise, went fine.

I've got new "race shoes" for next time; maybe the speed laces will help. Otherwise, just bust ass.

Legs felt funky coming off the bike. Shortly after T2, I was greeted by my family, and that gave me a boost. I've really been working on my running in training, which I've always considered my "weak suit." Started on a what felt like a reasonably comfortable pace, again with the idea of taking the first lap smoothly and then dropping the hammer (to the extent possible).

After a ways, looked down at the 305 and it said I was doing an 8 minute mile pace. It didn't feel like that. Also, HR was too low for that. Ignored 305. After a mile, looked at 305, said I was doing 8 mpm pace again. Still didn't feel right. Would have guessed from experience that I was going 9 mpm. Sort of ignored it. Same thing repeated for 3 miles. The upshot is that when my legs are shot after a longer ride, and maybe with the added race factor added, I go faster than I think I am. Interesting; maybe more brick work needed to explore this.

Anyway, felt pretty good for most of the first lap, but started to tire towards the end of that. Fought the mental fight about whether to walk, and ultimately lost. Agreed (with myself) that I'd walk briefly while getting water at the last two aid stations. This worked reasonably well, though pace suffered as a result. Also, stopped to walk an extra two times thereafter, if only very briefly. That is ultimately what I'll beat myself up over.

At the end, I managed a decent kick so that I'd finish strong for the family. Strangely felt super strong doing it. Not sure if I was just engaging new, fresher muscles, or if it was the crowd/family thing. Could have done my sprint for another 50 yards or so.

Overall, felt good about this. In terms of comparison, my tri 10k this time was faster than my stand-alone 10k from about a month ago (though my 305 tells me this was shorter distance-wise). Did a 55:45 10k in early February, a 51:05 here. So, the running work has been paying off, even if I'm still not exactly a running star.

Not walk. Basically need to toughen up. The physical pain wasn't enough to justify it. Tired, yes. Legs hurt, yes. But no side stich or anything that would really excuse it.

None, really. Just chatted with family, took some pictures and had a couple of snacks.


A woeful bike leg. That's the biggest thing by far. Need to fix that.


Good race; well run. Everything seemed to be organized and on-time. A little sparse in terms of post-race stuff, but I frankly don't care about that.