My first tri. Elbows and ankles quite different than pool! I handled it well until the 200m mark then caught a kick to the side and a few meters later an elbow to neck which messed up my breathing and stroke. While trying to recover had to stear clear to avoid a 3rd collision with same guy. The swim took more out of me than expected.

Keep an eye on and avoid swimmers that don't nagivate well. Also, need to practice more.

I had a decent position on the exit row. Put helmet on first, wiped my feet a couple of times, but put socks on despite dirt, grass still on feet. Shoes quickly followed. Being my first race, I hesitated to double check everything even though I checked and double checked before the race.

Remember pre-race checks were done and just go.

I was warned a couple of weeks in advance of the hill out of the park. It was tougher than practiced (no swim before practice). At the top of the hill, lost my breakfast without stopping. After turning on Mt. Vernon, settled in to a pace that was slower than training but passed several riders which was confidence builder. The hill that wasn't mentioned beforehand was in the park itself at the end. I pushed myself hard up the hill. Good dismount but had to stop before T2 as anything that was left in my stomach made a rapid exit. Dry heaves aren't fun!

Cut my time between swim and bike when doing bricks.

I felt drained after my "pitstop" before T2. Knew I needed some type of supplement but couldn't find my Endurolytes. Finally found them but spilled them on towel. Grabbed 2 washed down with water. Had to sit down to put on running shoes. Got up and made my to exit. About to step on timing mat and remembered I forgot my race belt, went back and grabbed it. Managed to put it on just before exiting.

Keep 2 Endrolytes in the open on transition towel ready to swallow. Remember race belt. I think part of problem was belt was black, race number was black and gray and by backpack was black and gray. The race belt was on top of my backpack which blended in.

More hills than I expected. Again, after my "pitstop" I felt drained and was waiting for the Endrolytes kick in. After hitting the pavement, I kept about a 10min/mile pace til about mile 1.5. Then I slowed down and did the walk, run, walk, run thing from about mile 1.7 to mile 2.4. Then I caught my second wind and ran, with a light sprint about the last 70 yards.

More hill training on runs. Flats are nice, but aren't going to help me improve.

Walked around and some minor stretching.


I wish I could say it was my 1987 Peugeot bike. However, there was also a swim and run involved. I need to work more on my swim technique and do longer runs. I also think adding aerobars to my bike will help.


I watched the Macon Tri and volunteered at the Lake Dow Tri. From my observations this was the best organized race of the 3. First time seeing timing chips used. And most important I finished my first tri! No matter what I observed prior, it doesn't compare with actually participating. Now I know where I need to make adjustments and what to work on for my next tri.