Lavaman Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

As a not very fast swimmer, it was an okay swim. At the start, I just tried to get my breathing under control and stay on course for the turn buoy. I ended up a little off course (about 75 yards) but did a quick sighting and got myself pointed in the right direction. I did find myself weaving a bit along the course. It was mostly my trying to find someone to draft off. The rest of my swim was pretty uneventful except for the jostling at the turn buoys.

I need to improve my swim stroke and learn how to draft better. Also I think I could have pushed a higher stroke and kick rate and not have lost too much energy for the rest of the event.

It was a slow transition for me. This being my second tri and first oly, I wanted to take a little time to get in a gel and a few ounces of water. I also took a bit longer than usual to get my gloves, helmet, and shoes on.

I'll probably go ahead and tape a gel packet onto the bike and suck it down on course. I'd also change how I place my helmet, glasses, and gloves.

My bike leg felt like an easy Sunday ride. The ride out to the turnaround was mostly uphill but with a good tailwind. I felt like I held myself in check too much behind slower riders on the ride out. Ended up losing my water bottle about a mile from the turnaround after getting hit by a gust while in my aerobars. The return ride turned into a battle against the wind for about eight miles. I found my energy wasn't sapped as long as I stayed low on the aerobars or in the drops.

Push myself harder and not let myself play follow-the-leader behind slower riders. I should have passed slower riders whenever I felt like I could get by them on the uphills.

Again a fairly slow transition. I took in another gel and more liquids. Ended up using the porta-john to relieve my bladder.

I was definitely over-hydrated. I may cut back a little on the pre-race fluids and try to empty my bladder before race start.

Like with my swimming, I'm not a fast runner. The course was warm and breezy. I took it easy in the final mile running along the shoreline trail. I didn't want to take the chance of putting my foot down wrong on a loose portion of the trail and taking a spill. There were aid stations at roughly every mile and I took advantage of those to grab some water and cool down.

Be more willing to push my pace more.

Walked around and went back to transition to pack up my gear and stow in the car.


Didn't push myself harder than I could have done.


I'm looking forward to doing this race again next year.