Other than the fact that I apparently can't swim in a straight line, this was a good swim for me. I never felt uncomfortable or panicky, even when the guys from the wave behind me started to pass me. I just tried to move out of their way and let them go by then go back to doing my thing. Since this was the longest OWS I've done, I just took my time. Ran into a little congestion on the way back where the sprint swimmers made their last turn and merged with us, but again, I just let them go by and went back to swimming.

I need to work on sighting. They had big yellow buoys up every 100 meters which was nice, but my sighting skills and sense of direction in the water are so bad that they didn't really help me.

This was a long transition to start with. From the swim exit at the boat dock, through the parking lot where transition was and to the bike out is quite a distance. I took a little extra time here. My wetsuit got stuck on my heels (like usual), I took a couple bites of an energy bar, and generally just calmed myself down a little before heading out on the bike.

Just move a little faster, and more practice getting the wetsuit off. I knew I was going slow, but didn't think it was 8 minutes slow.

This was a good bike for me. Nice, flat course. The only "hill" is the overpass on River Valley that I've ridden a lot on my normal Saturday morning training rides, so no problems with that. And we got lucky with the wind being pretty calm. Some days there can be a nasty headwind on that road, but not today:). Three RR tracks (so actually six crossings since it was a double loop course) but they had them covered with plywood which was nice.
First loop went really well. At one point I looked down at my computer and it showed 19mph - a speed I normally only hit on a downhill. I figured I wouldn't be able to hold that and I didn't, but it was nice to see. Second loop was a little rougher. I was starting to warm up and I am not good at drinking while riding. I knew I wasn't taking in enough water. I stopped at one point just to make sure I got some water and Gatorade in me, but it wasn't enough. The last 5 miles or so I could feel it starting to affect me. Of course, if I was a faster rider it wouldn't have been as much of an issue.

I need to learn to drink while riding. I still can't do that comfortably and on a warm day it's a skill I really need to have mastered.

Moved a little faster this time through transition. Got the bike put up, helmet off, shoes changed, grabbed my number belt and handheld and off to the run.

I think this went pretty well. Not much I could change here.

This was mostly walking. I had a handheld with Gatorade with me and figured I'd pick up water at the aid stations which were every mile or so along the course. That worked for the first one. Unfortunately, by the time I got to the other two aid stations, they were out of water. They only had Heed, which I normally can't drink. I did end up taking some at one of the stations since it was more diluted than the Gatorade I had with me. Did some running but walked most of the course. Part of the course was shaded which helped, but I think the lack of water on the bike and run and the increasing temps got to me.

Make sure I drink more on the bike portion and also maybe take my fuelbelt so I can have both water and Gatorade with me instead of just the Gatorade I had in my handheld. Or just learn to run faster so I don't have to worry so much about it.

Got some water and a Sprite at the club tent, watched a bunch of my clubmates get their awards and just chilled out for a while until I headed home.


For my first Oly, I was happy just to finish. All 3 sports need work, but overall it was a good experience and now I know what I need to work on.


For a first time race, I think it went off pretty well. There are a few logistical issues that they need to work out but I'm sure those will be taken care of by next year. Overall, it's a great course, great support from the community (lots of police out on the bike course and volunteers everywhere) and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year.