Tri Latta (Sunday) - TriathlonSprint

Well, it turns out I am a swimmer. I had never done an OWS and never done 750 meters continuously in my life. And I have only been in the pool to train 3 times this year. So I started at the back of my wave, which was Master novice.
When the horn went off, I started out slow and with a Tarzan stroke. Head out of the water so I could sight and not run over anyone. Took it very easy. Did not kick, just pulled for probably the first 150. Was passing people left and right and stayed pretty much on line. As I approached the turn around, I noticed there were only 4-5 guys with neon green swim caps like me ahead of me. I got behind one of them and basically coasted off him for a couple minutes. Let me say, swimming in feet bubbles sux. After the turn, I decided to pick it up a notch and move in front of these guys. By now there was one guy leading them and he was ahead on my right and was breathing to the right. I focused on technique and passed all of them and looked up and saw no other neon green caps. I WAS LEADING THE SWIM!!! The guy I passed on my right started breathing to the left, evidently saw me and decided to push the last little bit. He caught me as we were exiting the water and jumped ahead coming out. As we got out I told him, "Good swim" and jogged to the mat. He beat me by 3 seconds. 3 Freaking seconds. At the time, I was ok with it. Now I am pissed at myself for allowing that to happen. Thats ok, next race is next month.

Not start at the back, kick the whole race, focus on technique, train more, treat it as a race. I am sure all of that would help. I will aim to be first MN out of the water next race at Lake Wylie.

Long run from the swim to TA. Then a somewhat long run from rack to the mat. But, still!!! Four minutes. Goodness, you would think I was driving Miss Daisy.

HTFU. Practice would help, also. And double knot my shoes. More on that later.

The bike is where I usually fall back to the middle of the pack and this was no exception. I normally ride a 15 mile loop for training and is fairly hilly. This course, to me was flat and not very difficult. I am getting better on the bike, but I have a lot of room for improvement. The ride was comfortable and on the few hills I did ok.
I am riding an OLD bike (we're talking 1983), wear my running shoes, and have gears on the post. So coming in around an hour for me was a victory.
I played leapfrog with a girl named Stephanie, number 396, for most of the bike. She and I had about the same pace going. I finally got away from her with about 3 miles to go. \
With about 4 miles to go, my right shoe came untied. The lace would occasionally get caught in the chain and I would have to pull it out. I debated stopping and retieing but didnt. Finally got it untied enough that I could swing the laces to the outside so they didnt hit anymore. But was constant looking down to check them.
I will say that it is a bit disconcering when you are about 2 miles from the finish and you hear the sirens of an ambulance approaching. Kinda gave me a sick feeling. Never heard but I hope everyone was ok.

Get a new bike and pedals. I will be in the market soon. Obviously, train more. I am getting stronger, but not there yet..

My rack was right next to the start of the run part so most of the time was taken with the run from dismount to my rack. I did take the time to drink some Gatorade and water before the run.

HTFU. And practice more. I think I said that somewhere earlier........hmmmmmm.

If I dont lose it on the bike, I can lose it on the run. Just not strong enough yet. I start out and my HR is too high and I have to walk within the first mile just to get it under control. Dont feel like I have the pace down when I start a new leg.
The course was good, lots of shade and two water stations were good. I did walke them and took a cup or two at each one. But it was a decent run. My normal 5k times come in at 28-30 minutes anyway, so a 31 minute is fine with me. I will improve upon this though.

More training and bricks. I have to find out how to pace coming off the bike to the run. I have had to walk too soon on my 2 races this year.

Water and Powerade. Talked with TJ who finished ahead of me. Great bike and run for him. Got my stuff together and thought about making it home in time to go to church with the family. Then I learned the only road into the park was not yet open due to other bikers still on the road. So I ate a banana, pretzels, etc. and just cooled down.


What limited my ability to perform faster? My lack of skill. But we can fix that, with more time in the saddle and on the road. See you next month at Lake Wylie.
But, in all honesty, I got into this to get into shape and lower my blood pressure. That part is working.


I loved this race. I am no expert and this fit me to a "T". For the first time, I felt like I was racing. I would see people on the bike or run and think, "that person is about my speed, lets get him" or "get that guy that just got you".