Columbia Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Swim was good except for the start. I eyed down the results from last year and figured that probably the top 1/4th of the wave would be just as fast or faster than me, so I started right behind the front line out by the buoy. Big mistake. I spent the first 3-4 minutes trying to navigate through the churn and finally pulled ahead. I was already hitting yellow caps by the first orange buoy and continued on pretty strong. Shoulders were getting a little tired near the end, but overall my breathing was good, pace was good and came out of the water feeling refreshed.

Start in front.

Took my time getting into my shoes because my hamstrings were tightening up a little bit. This is just a guestimate since there was an error with the T1 timing mat.

Stretch my hamstrings a little more before the swim.

Bike was tough, but I started out relatively easy because my calves and hamstrings were cramping. I pre-rode the course on Sunday and really took it easy just so I could figure out where the tough spots were. Attacked the hills and got into a really good rhythm and hit some 30+ downhills. I actually felt like I was going faster than I was and my legs were cooked by the end. I was a little worried I wouldn't have anything left for the run.

Stretch the calves and hamstrings. Maybe put aero bars on.

My rack was literally the first one on the right when you came into transition, so getting in and out was quick and painless.

Um, remember my race belt =) I had it in my hand but for some dumb reason I left it sitting right next to my bike shoes.

I saw the run profile before the race, but I just ran a 10k last weekend with 200+ feet of climbing, so I figured I'd be ok with this. Right away a big windy climb caught me off guard, but it looked like people were struggling a lot worse than I was, so I pushed myself as hard as my legs could hold. Splits: 7:39, 7:21,7:54, 7:54, 7:26, 7:29, 1:33

Nothing, felt solid, good mental and physical effort.

Cookies, pasta and some gatorade.


The hills. Get more hill training in.


Great race, it was my first Columbia so I was pleasantly surprised with how well the race was run logistically. I PR'd by over 9 minutes from my last Oly last summer, so I was really happy about that. Weather could've been a little better, but what can ya do.