My 'Age Group Rank' reflects my ranking in the Masters Novice Male category because that is what I entered. It seemed like this was a large wave with lots of varying swim skill levels. I got kicked plenty and let a lot of people go ahead of me just to find an open area to swim. After the first 200 yards or so the field spread out enough to relax and just swim.

I really, really need to work on my swim stroke. I spent virtually no time at all training for the swim and my dismal time reflects it. I knew I would give up a lot of time to this portion leading up to the race and I decided to just get through it and move on. Too many other time demands came in front of swim practice and lessons this summer.

The run from the lake to the transition area is a bit long and not too foot friendly. I stepped on a rather large pebble or three on the asphalt and it really got my attention. The organizers had put down carpeting over the pine mulch areas and this helped tremendously. I could barely walk barefoot on the mulched areas, so I was really glad to see it.
Upon my exit from the swim, I felt a significant tightening in my right calf that completely surprised me. I hadn't had a single muscle cramp all summer long including after two practice swims for this tri.

Not too much except maybe run on the grass between the short section of road and the tennis courts rather than the road. However, it is outside the cones, so I don't know if you would pick up a penalty.

'Age Group Rank' reflects my position in the masters novice category.

I really neeeeeeed a tri bike. Sheez, the top end is way better and fellow triathletes tell me the run is a LOT more comfortable off a tri bike than a road bike. After seeing Mr. Cervelo blow by me going down the hill just before the Faith Road climb, I was bummed...but impressed.

No trouble finding my rack spot. Took too long to get my bike gloves off. Other than that, went well and I remembered to put on my number belt only because I laid it across my running shoes. I know I would have left it behind like I saw others do if I hadn't done that.

Should have released my shoes and ridden in with feet on top, but then I would have had to deal with the pebbles in the parking lot. Must not be too much of a problem for everyone else though, seemed like this was a popular way to do this transition. I also should have at least pulled the velcro straps on my gloves before entering the dismount area, but that wasn't a big factor. Wasted some time moving my Forerunner to my wrist strap from the bike mount since it wasn't giving me my HR anyway.

Ended up 10th in the Masters Novice category and I was really disappointed. The cramp in my calf was so bad running up the short hill out of the transition area that I considered dropping out when I got to the top and went through the timing gate. My quads on my right leg starting tightening at this time too. I was pissed. Why is this happening??? An entire summer of training and not once did I have this problem. Now, it's race day and all I could think was '...what the hell did I do wrong??!!' I did have a Red Bull, but I just don't think that was responsible. I really expected the three Endurolytes and the Gatorade to take care of it, but no chance. I have run 5K distance at an 8:40 pace before and I fully expected to do at least that, but I kept having to take walk breaks and my time suffered badly.

I have to figure out why I had the cramping issues. Any ideas out there? If I hadn't had the cramping problems, I would have really had a blast doing this event. It was still fun and I will do the race again next year, but man, it would have been totally different without the cramping.

Collected kisses and congrats from my wife and kids. A coworker even drove down from Troutman to drop in and that made me feel good. Went over to the Y building and used it to try to stretch out my calf. It was hurting.


Leg cramps


This left me wanting more. I think I could train up for an Olympic distance fairly easily, but I see very few of them scheduled. Seems like they would be more popular since it is a much more appropriate step from a sprint event than a 70.3 and would be a little easier to hold with the shorter distances and times.