Your DOH! moments in triathlon ... (Page 2)

I think this topic just embodies my life. I have two recent stories.

The first one (see attached photo) I did a god-awful irresponsible job of tying (or not tying) my stand up paddleboard to my roofrack. Let's just say I am down a paddleboard and down one roof rack.

Second, I am a bicycle commuter and forgot my bra and underwear. Just yesterday in fact. I was faced with the choice to either wear my sweaty bright red sports bra under my white work shirt or go without. I chose the latter...

Ask this question next week and I am sure I will have something else to add. 

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Two fails:

2010 IMTX 70.3.  For some reason, I didn't eat my pre-race meal in the hotel before I left for the race.  I was busy in transition, so I ate my meal while I waited for my wave (about 1 hr after the start of the race).  Protein bar + chocolate milk + salt water = spending the whole swim debating the pros and cons of puking while swimming while curdled chocolate milk slooshes in your stomach.  FAIL.

2011 IMTX.  You pack/drop off your run and bike bags the day before the race.  Race day, I'm in T1 getting ready for the bike.  Look in bag for my socks.  Hello socks? I know I packed you!  Empty bag completely.  No socks.  Realized I'm a and packed my socks in MY RUNNING SHOES WHICH ARE IN MY RUN BAG.  I really didn't want to ride 112 sockless and begged the guy guarding the run bagsto let me in so I could get my socks.  Very lucky for me, he let me in.  Unfortunately, my T1 time was ridiculously long.  Won't mis-pack my socks ever again.

This is an almost doh!/disaster that was averted. At my first tri (two whole weeks ago) I took off my timing chip to pull on my calf sleeves. Had some shoelace issues and took so long getting my shoes on that I actually stood up and tried to take off without my timing strap. Thank god I didn't!

A true DOH! though: I thought I should take my time in T2 so that my HR would be down to start the run. I didn't realize I could, you know, get my butt out on the course and walk and at least start covering some distance while I lollygagged.

Oh, so many.

There was my first race when I ran right past my bike - twice. I followed that up by attempting to follow the wrong trail on the run . I don't have a strong sense of direction......

Then there was the race in the rain when I thought it would be a good idea to where a $7 jacket I picked up from wally world. The jacket stuck to me like glue. The whole ride all I could think about was taking that jacket off. Finally I decided to try to take if off while I was riding in the rain. I got it unzipped but couldn't get it off of my hands!!!!! ARRGH! I finished the ride with my jacket flapping open like a sail catching every bit of wind I could possibly find. Nice.

During an Oly in July I was running past an aid station that had Heed Drink and water.  I promptly took a swig of water while I poured the Heed over my head.  Let me tell you about how sticky I became...and how bad the rashes in my armpits were.

I have forgotten my bike helmet, race number belt, gels/nutrition and sunglasses before.

although since then I have yet to make those mistakes again, but it was definitely a DOH moment.

I had a Sprint last year.  I got up early on Saturday morning, got my bike in the car, double checked my bag for bike shoes, running shoes, helmet, goggles, socks, etc.  I had everything.  Woke up my husband and we were on our way.  The race was in a state park that is only about 20 minutes from our house.  As we were driving to the park, I was my usual nervous self.  As we got there, my husband asked where to park.  I directed him to the lot and he said that there didn't seem to be a lot of traffic.  Yea, I thought, where are all the cars?  I like to be early, but I am never the first person there!  Yep, the race was actually the next day, on Sunday.  I was well-rested for the race as I did nothing for the rest of the day on Saturday, and I had a great race.

Karen

I had one this morning. Just got a new bike two weeks ago, when I bought the bike the shop did not have the Shimano 105 pedals like the ones on my old bike, so I went with the Look Keo's.  Shop replaced the cleats on my shoes. Wanted to go for a ride this morning with Mrs. Turnin2 so I thought I would ride the old bike. Couldn't clip in.

What do you mean Look pedal cleats won't work with both sets of pedals? They look the same!

Dang. Now I need a new set of pedals and try to sell the ones I bought with the bike or a new pair of shoes. That's what I get for not asking questions and just making assumptions.

So I was doing a sprint tri this year. I had done the race last year and had done everything perfect (except for losing my goggles and swim cap on the long run up the beach). I arrived early, racked my bike, set up transition and counted the rows so I could get to my stuff. The race started and I had a pretty good swim. When my hand touched the ground, I got up and stripped my wetsuit halfway down, leaving my goggles and swim cap in the sleeve. While running, I noticed my bright yellow swim cap was coming out of the sleeve so I poked it back in. Soon afterwards, it fell out. I made a split second decision and ran back several yards for it, noticing my goggles were gone for the second year in a row!

As I entered transition, I noticed that I had counted the rows ONLY from the bike in and NOT from the swim in! I figured I could look for my number on the bike racks to find the right one. I'm looking to my LEFT as I come in and see a sign that says 360-385 (I'm 379). I tell myself, "That's me", head towards that row, look down it, and do not see my bright teal towel and green bike. I started to panic a little. I turned around to look at the rack on the opposite side. That sign also says 360-385! I run in a few circles looking down a couple more rows, mumbling "What on earth? Where's my stuff?" and finally spot my towel down the row that was on my RIGHT the WHOLE TIME! Who would have thought that racks opposite each other but in the same row would BOTH be labeled 360-385?! I thought there was only one rack designated for numbers 360-385 and it turns out that there were 2. Despite that, I still had a pretty fast transition, faster than last year by over 2 minutes. It kind of makes me wonder: what was I doing in there last year, having a cup of coffee?

After the race had ended, I found my goggles almost completely covered in sand, but otherwise in good condition, on the beach.