Splash-n-Dash #3 - Biathlon (swim/run)

I was pretty fired up for the swim, since I've taken lessons and been videotaped since last month's Splash-n-Dash. Although I went out waaaay too fast for that first 100 (1:24... who am I kidding?) I'm pretty happy that I was a minute faster than last month. Also, I was pretty consistent for the rest of the race. Once I get a wetsuit I think I should be able to maintain a 1:30ish pace, which will be tons better than the 2:00 I was around last year.


Maybe not kill that first 100? I'm always bad about the adrenaline rush at the beginning of a race. I also managed to scrape my hand up against the lane dividers, which I always do when I share a lane. I'm always worried I'm gonna slam into someone so I hug the divider.

This is the time it took me to get out of the pool, walk to my transition area in the hallway (no running allowed indoors), get my running gear together, walk out the door, and run to the 5K start line.

I think doing that in 2:06 is pretty good all things considered. I'm much better about putting on a shirt while wet (still should buy a tri top!)

A little trouble with one sock, but overall I'm happy with it.

I felt awful the entire run.

I don't know why. Last month I only felt bad for the first lap. The wind sucked out there today. The entire time I felt waaaay slower than last month.

Of course this means my transition + run time was 35 seconds faster this month. I can't directly compare the 2 runs since my Garmin was confused last month, but subjectively I felt like I had a bad run. Perhaps that just means I pushed myself to the limit. There was a guy ahead of me who I tried to keep up with and he thanked me after the race for pushing him. I'm glad he was out there because I really wanted to stop and walk at a few points. Not sure why, but I was breathing hard, my heart rate felt all out of whack, and the wind was mentally draining. But I'm real happy than I recovered from that dreadful 2nd mile and beat my last month's overall time by about a minute and a half.



After doing it twice, I have to say it's very difficult to transition between swimming and running. I never feel good the first mile or two. I don't know what I would do differently other than maybe practice bricks for it.

Walked around and grabbed some cookies and water. Met up with my wife's family who came to watch us and missed my finish by 5 minutes. Had a nice shower and promptly left my tri suit hanging on a hook in the locker room (which I drove 25 miles to pick up tonight...)


Probably a lack of sleep and not really eating properly the day before. I had all sorts of gastrointestinal fun before the race!


A fun series during the winter months. Hopefully I can hit all 3 next year.