I might be over exagerrating the current/chop but with the exception of the final 500 or so meters it felt like we were swimming on the high seas out there. Maybe I am just too sheltered but this was by far the choppiest swim I have done. And I have done all of 4 triathlons now! I got big mouth full of water once and got pretty choked up. But other than that I thought the swim went really well considering the choppiness. I made sure I was at the back of the pack of my wave(men ages 30-39) and just worked my way through the pack nice and easy.

Maybe push my swim a little harder. I have always been more concerned with just keeping a nice easy pace to get THROUGH the swim. The second half I started to push my pace a little more and felt pretty good with it.

At the time I didn't think anything special about this transition. But when I saw the time I thought back and I was just lolly gaggin around. I apparently forgot I was in a race and was standing there at my bike just leisurely drying off. I might as well have pulled out a blow dryer while I was there. I remember catching myself and kind of saying "why are you drying off?" But apparently this was after I had spent considerable time doing it.

Just throw on my shirt, shoes, helmet and go.

I have never averaged 20 mph on a ride before so I know it was a fast course. I actually passed some people on this ride, which is kind of a rarity for me. I did have 2 annoying things happen. On my first loop, myself and about 3 other racers, suddenly came up on all these other riders and we were getting all bunched up. I thought this is going to be along race if all the riders are bunched up like this the whole time. Then as we were passing several of them I noticed none of them had any racing numbers on. It was some group out for the Sunday morning ride and they were going right through our race course! VERY SLOWLY! Then, one of the officials rode up next to me on their motorcycle and I thought "Am I getting a penalty?" "I can't stay up with most people to draft." Then I figured out he was saying something about my race number on my back. I couldn't understand him while I try to keep racing and finally he just said "I'll get it". And next thing I know the motorcycle is right next to me and the official is reaching over and messing with my race number??? Then he hands me the little bottom portion they tear off at the end of the race. He said it was about to come off. All this while I am going about 19mph. So I take the little piece and shove it in a pocket. But man that motorcycle sure was close.

Nothing.

This transition was a little better but could probably use some work.

I might look into the zip laces you don't have to tie.

This is actually pretty good for me. Especially after what happened at BSLT. I felt pretty good on the entire run. First mile was 9:30 and the remaining were all 9:15 or better. By this time the sun was out, the wind had died down and it was very humid. But I felt like I got stronger as the run went along so that is a good thing. There was one guy who carried an American flag the entire run. This was not just a little flag you hold between your thumb and index finger. This was a full sized flag! As I was making my way back across the dam, I could see this flag coming towards me. Then I noticed it was one of the racers and he was running and carrying that thing. I gave him a thumbs up when he went by and for some reason I noticed my pace increased as we passed each other. I am not sure why but it just seemed kind of cool to see someone doing that and made me run a little faster.

Push harder. When I did my first couple of races(both Oly's) I was very concerned about pushing too hard and not being able to finish. I think that has turned into a habit now. I have no concerns about being able to finish a Oly at this point so why not push it hard. On a Oly course I should be going all out and I really wasn't. What's the worst that could happen? I need to go from a mind set of finishing to racing.

walked and drank


Not being in a racing mind set.


I was pleasantly surprised with this race. I don't know why but I wasn't expecting much. The course was well marked. It was flat and fast. This was only my 4th triathlon overall and was also the first race I really felt like I was racing. I have done 2 other Oly's. My first one took me 3:16 and the second one(at Buffalo Springs) took me 3:11. This was the first race I felt like I was actually racing but I also realize I can push my body much harder than I typically do in an Olympic distance. This was also I nice practice run for the Prairie Man Half that I will be doing in September and this same site and run by the same people.