A bit of a different style of swim start. They were doing typical waves by age groups, but within the waves they were releasing people in two person increments, time trial style. I guess they wanted to reduce the initial contact at the start(?). Regardless, there were six of us right on top of each other at the very get go, as there might have been anyway. I sprinted for the first 50 yards or so to pull away and then settled into a normal 500 race pace.

No one to draft off of or follow, I just carefully passed by the folks from the previous waves. The wind was blowing directly out from the shore, so making the final turn home you encountered much different breathing situation. This meant having to adjust my head position during my breathing as well as mostly breathing to my unnatural left side. It took a few moments but eventually you adapt.

The bike mount area was flat-ish and then it's an immediate uphill, so I'm glad I remembered to switch my bike to the lowest gear before the race. Getting clipped in on the first try was a big help.

2/6
10/99

I knew it was going to be hilly and knew what I was getting into, but the hills still kinda slapped me in the face. After climbing and descending on the curvy road out of the park I caught up to my friend Adam and we began making the slow climb west. He was encouraging me to pass him but my heart was already beating out of my chest and I was trying to calm my breathing down a bit. I eventually passed him and then got some relief when we turn north onto flatter roads.

The signage for all of the turns said "keep right" which I interpret as to move over to the far right side of the road. Which is how you'd read it if you were a motorist. The intention of this sign was to actually indicate a right turn. This combined with a county sheriff standing idly by not directing me to turn, and me generally not being fully aware went straight instead. I didn't go far after noticing a house number on a mailbox and Adam, who was not far behind me, screaming "GROFF!!!!" I turned around and got back on course, a little annoyed with myself and the officer who just stood there watching.

This then began the fun stretch of the course where 135th St goes screaming downwards and then back up a steep grade. This then repeats itself again. The first time I reached 41 mph and then in about 2 seconds I was biking at 7 mph. Ooooff. I don't think my evening bike sessions on the trainer prepared me for this. The crosswinds during this time were also fun bonus element.

The turn south was only for a mile, and it could've been fast, but then the headwind had a say in the matter so I continued to work. I was going to have to work for every mile of this 10+ mile course.

Perhaps pay attention and know the course. Train for hills - get off trainer and get outside and ride.

I really need to practice my flying dismounts. I've been a little gun shy ever since my tri suit bottoms got caught on the nose of my saddle and I almost wiped out a few races back. Need to get back on that horse.

2/6
10/98

In retrospect this was a good run. I liked it. In the moment it was torture. I was breathing harder than I'd like, my heart was pounding, and I never really "settled in" until I was two miles in. Pretty much the standard stuff for me when it comes to sprint triathlons and the run.

I caught sight of Adam on the first out and back, finally erasing the self-inflicted deficit I imposed on myself during the bike course. He kept encouraging me to catch up and pass him. I wasn't so sure I could, at that point I was just hanging on. On the hills I was tempted numerous times to walk but I convinced myself to baby step it up them. Just small running steps until I crested over the top. That seemed to help.

After two+ miles I finally felt ready to race. I passed Adam and made my way up one final hill to come sprinting back down it to the finish line.

Sat and rested. Caught my breath. Exchanged some race stories with some other tri friends.


Being a first year race in a new venue the City of Olathe put on a great race. For the most part every detail of the race seemed buttoned down. Hopefully this becomes an annual event.