I felt pretty good through the whole section. The waves were small and I never got stuck in the crowd. I purposely started a few seconds later to avoid the fray since this was going to be my weakest leg of the race. I only had to correct my course a few times. I did experience being swam over. An unusual sensation. I felt like a big hand just pushed me a foot or so deeper in the water. At first I wasn't sure what happened. I looked up and saw feet in my face. Turns out I was being passed by a female who was in second place for your group at that time. I was just glad I didn't get my goggles knocked off. I swam the entire course the week before and I finished 10 minutes faster, so I was thrilled at this point.

Keep working on my stroke and many more miles.

I felt good at this point. No wet suit to worry about, just get to the bike. I haven't practiced putting my shoes on while riding so that wasn't an issue and my transition position was close to the bike exit.

I suppose I could practice a jump start but since I'm not a podium contender I'm good with staying safe and steady.

I was doing fairly well on my first lap. I had a good average speed (18.5 mph) with my HR in zone 2-3 and breathing steady. I almost wrecked turning into the parking lot and noticed my front tire was low. I went to the aid station for bikes and asked for a pump. I was offered a new tube but thought I must have some kind of slow leak so I declined the offer (mistake!) Started back on the second loop and halfway through I noticed my tire was low again. At this stage, I knew I needed to change the tire which I did. It seemed like it took forever! I didn't time this, of course, but now I was just pissed off, knowing my time was now pointless. I resumed the ride. With about 4 miles left to go, I again notice my tire was low. I used up what was left in my CO2 cartridge and rode like hell just to get off the tire. By the time I arrived in T2, I was riding on the rim of the wheel.

First, when offered a tube, take it! Second, practire changing my tires more often. I've done it before but never under duress. Third, take more than one CO2 cartridge. Fourth, when the flat occurred, I lost focus on staying hydrated and getting calories. I ended up only getting in one liter of fluid and only a bite of an energy bar. Finally, don't waist all your energy on this section. Although I felt I had a really good reason to blast through the last part of this leg, it ruined the run part of the race.

No issues here.

It was getting brutely hot at this point and my legs were just wasted from the push to get off the bike. My mood was poor too but that's no excuse. I have problems with temperature control in general (I always run too hot) so I really suffered on the second loop. I had to walk parts of the second loop.

Train more in the heat. I con't really comment more than that because I set myself up for failure with the bike leg going the way it did.

I walked around a little bit and drank more cold fluids.


See above.



I think this race is well organized and other than needing one more water station I felt it was well layed out and staffed. I learned alot from this race and since it is my first real outdoor triathlon, I don't have much to compare it to. I am definitely disappointed and have spent some time considering what else I could have done differently.

I think I caused a pinch flat caused by hitting one of the speed bumps too fast. I knew about these since I had practiced the entire course the week before. I must have just gone too fast over one. The second flat was of my own doing when I replaced the tube and that I can improve on. The effort to get through the remaining bike section came at a huge cost on the run. I probably should have coasted the remaining bike section in order to have a better run. I would have likely had a better time too, since the run took so long.

I'm now trying to find another Olympic distance race for the second half of the summer. I don't want my season to end like this. I also now need to change focus somewhat since my second major goal this year was to run a marathon in the fall. We'll have to see how I can manage juggling these to desires. Still, overall I had fun despite my frustrations. Amazingly, I'm not that sure today. I've felt much worse after my running races.