Heatwave Classic Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

I'm very tempted to change that swim distance to 1000 yards. I know it was longer than a half mile. The last 2 years, though, the course has definitely been short, so I guess they over compensated this year. Anyway, I really tried to start more aggressively this time. But between the excitement and the pummeling in the mosh pit, I started to kind of lose it. Got all out of breath. So the swim to the first buoy pretty much sucked, and I probably ended up adding 30 seconds to a minute to my overall time. Once I got going, it got better. The reservoir is totally gross and you can't see a darn thing, so I kept running into people. But I swam strong and smooth (when I could).

I have got to figure out how to get a better start. I spend too much time passing folks from the back to get where I ought to be.

This was an okay transition for me. I'm getting better at jogging out from the swim, even if slowly. I stood up the entire transition...without falling down.

Someday, I'll actually practice transitions so I can get faster at them.

Since my riding over the last month had been pretty spotty, I am rather pleased with this one. It's my best time on this course (and it looks like they upped the distance from the advertised 24.5 because results show my average speed to be 19.2, but I'll leave it at 24.5 for purposes of this report). I did this whole race "blind." I didn't start my watch or the bike computer. I think I ought to do that regularly. Then, I just go. Anyway, I rode this like a time trial, and only eased up at the very end to get ready to run. I am always nervous about the turnaround (because of my "stellar" bike handling skills), but I managed it quite well, coasting easy into the turn, and then starting to pedal at the top and out of it. It was nice and tight. Saw a few "pelotons" and it looks as if the refs handed out a good number of drafting penalties. Good, I say.

Push it a little harder at the end. My running legs came back to me pretty quickly.

Not a super speedy transition, but about 4th fastest in my age group.

Practice, practice, practice.

Funny that my swim rank is my highest rank for my age group and the run is the lowest. It's usually the other way around. In fact, this year's run was a bit longer than last year's, and I ran about 2 minutes faster. In any case, I felt like I managed the run rather well. So often, I let myself get away with walking because I'm still recovering from the bike and transition and my heart rate is really up there. This time, I just ran easy at first and my legs came back to me quickly. I felt like my turnover was good, I was feeling pretty strong...just breathing hard. I walked the water stops, so I wouldn't snort my water. But I ran the rest of the way and tried to push the last mile a bit.

Push harder. I can run faster.

Grabbed water, headed back to the last part of the run, and cheered a few friends and then hung out with hubby at his volunteer position. Then, got in line for food and hung out until the awards.


First tri of the season, and I really don't have a sense of how I stand (well, now I do). I think it was a pretty good effort, and now I am ready to really put the hammer down and see if I can qualify for nationals next month.


I love Heatwave. It's right outside my door, and all of my friends are there. I covet the beautiful awards. Maybe next year.