I had a horrible swim. I think a combination of my nerves getting to me and my lack of experience swimming made me have a really hard time finding my pacing for the swim. Since this was my first race at this distance I just wasnt sure how much effort I could put in and still feel good coming out of the water. I learned that it is a lot more then what I did. Had a really hard time sighting also due to the sun being in my eyes.

I need a lot more practice swimming and working on my pacing. This is definitely my week point.

The transition was very long .25 miles from the water to where you mounted on your bike with the transition area right in the middle. Transition felt okay I just tried to get my bearings about me and not focus on how bad my swim was. My chain popped off during the run to the mounting line and it took me a good 30 seconds to get it back on before I could mount my bike.

Hustle a little more. Make sure my chain is in a gear where it wont pop off.

My stomach was still killing me from the lack of food and the nerves. Had a hard time even sipping water for the first 6 miles or so. Was moving at a decent pace but felt like I just should have been riding quicker. Tried to get a Gu in at about mile 12 but it made me gag so put it back away. Tried to drink some of my Gluekos with the exact same response so stuck with just water. Drank about 20 ounces or so. Got passed by another guy from the Portland Triathlon Club who told me to bring my knees in. I focused on this for the last half of the race and could feel a difference My Hamstrings started to get a little tight for the last 2 miles or so of the ride.

Push the ride harder. Figure out my nutrition.

Had about a .10 of a mile run to rack the bike. Worked on controlling my breathing. Got my running shoes on quick but forgot to tighten the elastic laces so had to stop for a second after I came out of transition to tighten them.

Work on being able to run barefoot. Running in the bike shoes sucks.

Legs felt very heavy but was surprised to see that I was running about a 7:30 pace. The lack of eating was really starting to get to me though and was not feeling all there and stomach was still cramping a little.

Work on nutrition

My girlfriend brought me some water and food and I sat and finally got down a little bit of food. It took me about 4 hours or so after the race for my stomach to really feel decent again.


Lack of experience and nerves causing my stomach to be in knots and not get any food in.


I thought this was a great first Olympic for me to do. I wish my stomach would have cooperated better. My goal was 2:30 so if I would have had a better swim and could have got some food in I think I would have made my goal. It is hard to complain about 2nd in my division on my first race though.