Amica Triathlon at Lake Wylie - TriathlonSprint

I cant believe my time was as good as it was as this was a horrible swim for me. I never felt good in the water. We started in a decent sized group but a bunch of guys set up wide, which made the start thin. I started behing a couple of other guys who I thought could swim. Wrong.
There was a bit of bumping, not too much but my biggest problem was that I could never catch my breath on this first 2/3 of this swim and was breathing every stroke. And let me say, I know drafting in the swim is ideal to some, but I cannot stand to swim in bubbles. I want fresh water ahead of me.
Sighting the first bouy was good, but as soon as you make the first turn, you are into the sun and the second bouy could not be seen. I just followed the crowd. I knew if I had someone on my right I was ok. Just after the second bouy, I finally started to settle down, but at that point, I just wanted to finish.

I know I need to train more. But on race day, I need to get up front. I may have people hit my legs in the beginning, but I will feel better.

I slow jogged/walked to my rack to get my bike. I still felt my heartrate was out of control, so I just took some deep breaths to relax. And I had to pee. Geez, from 6-8 AM I drank a bottle of water and sipped on a Gatorade and I felt like I peed out a gallon. So I hit the Porta-Jon again, for the 3rd time. Thats why my time was a whopping 4:21.

Pee in the water before the swim. Sorry, fellow competitors.

As you come out of the camp and turn on HWY 49, we had one lane to share with bikers in each direction for about a mile. As I was going out, the open guys were finishing. If it was ever crowded, it could be dangerous with cars in the next lane.
Man, I suck on the bike. But I know this is hobby, not my job so I am cool with my ride. I dont have a computer so I race by feel and again, I felt horrible for the first third. Just could not catch my breath. I race in running shoes and 4 miles in my right shoe came untied, just like it did last race. This time, I decided to stop and retie. That would give me a chance to relax. After that I settled down and had a much better second half ride.

Double knot my shoes. I need a new bike and will get clipless in the offseason, which will help in many areas.

Just had to grab my belt, take my helment off, and go.

First, let me say there is no shame in walking part of this course. It was hilly. It kicked my arse. I would try to run half the uphill and run the downs. I walked a lot. Finally, with about a mile to go, I decided I had enough and just run in to get it over with. Told another guy my plans and he ran with me.

Train more. I knew this run would be hilly but I havent put the miles in to cover this.

Walked around, drank water and Powerade. Ate turkey sandwiches and bananas. Found my wife and kids. Found my friend Jeff Plemmons, who won the Master Clydesdale division. Way to go, Jeff!!! Saw Amy and Brewer, who did the swim as part of a relay.
Stuck around for the awards ceremony for the first time. During the awards, there was one woman was coming in to finish her race. EVERYBODY in the awards area clapped and shoutied for her as she came in. Very Cool. Good for her.


The fact that I havent trained enough. I will be in the market for a new bike in the next few months and that will help.


This was a first time race at this spot. It is only about 15 min from my house. I would love to see the swim reversed, so you are not swimming in the sun in the AM. The bike course is unsafe for about a mile. But I enjoyed the experience.