azrunning
06-09-08, 05:06 AM
Did my first triathlon last Saturday, it was an Olympic distance tri with an ocean swim. The beach was very rocky and definitely slowed getting in and out of the water. At least one guy got a cut on his foot. Then we had to run up a concrete ramp about 100 meters long to get to the transition area. I didn't have a problem with the swim whatsoever even though it was a bit wavy. I just stayed calm and tried to get into a rhythm. I found I didn't need to sight nearly as much as I thought I would, maybe every 10 strokes. I went a little out of my way once but overall it wasn't bad. I enjoyed seeing the rocks, fish and scuba divers at the bottom. This was only my second OWS and after the first one I hurled in the ocean. After this one I hurled running to the transition area. Seasick? Saltwater? Because of the rocks, distance and getting sick the transition was 4+ minutes, quite slow.
The bike was 4 loops of a 10k course. It was rolling but not bad for a bike. On the first loop I rode directly into an 18 inch deep drainage canal next to the road. I flew over the handle bars and then the bike flew over me. Hit my head quite hard, thank God for helmets. The handle bars were bent down and to the right; aerobars were now useless. Still I was able to get back on and ride with out too much problem. Dropped my clif bloks while riding, then a little late dropped my water bottle while trying to put it back in the cage. Second transition was quite quick, about 45 seconds. Just changing shoes and running through the transition area.
I was definitely feeling tired when starting the run which should be my strong suit because I come from a running background. In T1 I took my running gel because I couldn't find the one I was supposed to have set out for after the swim. Therefore I didn't have a gel to take on the run. Since I got sick, lost a gel and some clif bloks, I think I just ran out of gas. The 10k was painfully slow; I walked through the aid stations to get enough of the sports drink. Finally I was able to finish with my kids running down the chute with me.
Swim: 34:18
T1: 4:24
Bike: 1:12:54
T2: 0:45
Run: 51:18
Total: 2:43:33
Goal was 2:45
So I finished and am happy with my time. I think with just a few things going my way I could cut 5-10 minutes off my time. I'll be back.
The bike was 4 loops of a 10k course. It was rolling but not bad for a bike. On the first loop I rode directly into an 18 inch deep drainage canal next to the road. I flew over the handle bars and then the bike flew over me. Hit my head quite hard, thank God for helmets. The handle bars were bent down and to the right; aerobars were now useless. Still I was able to get back on and ride with out too much problem. Dropped my clif bloks while riding, then a little late dropped my water bottle while trying to put it back in the cage. Second transition was quite quick, about 45 seconds. Just changing shoes and running through the transition area.
I was definitely feeling tired when starting the run which should be my strong suit because I come from a running background. In T1 I took my running gel because I couldn't find the one I was supposed to have set out for after the swim. Therefore I didn't have a gel to take on the run. Since I got sick, lost a gel and some clif bloks, I think I just ran out of gas. The 10k was painfully slow; I walked through the aid stations to get enough of the sports drink. Finally I was able to finish with my kids running down the chute with me.
Swim: 34:18
T1: 4:24
Bike: 1:12:54
T2: 0:45
Run: 51:18
Total: 2:43:33
Goal was 2:45
So I finished and am happy with my time. I think with just a few things going my way I could cut 5-10 minutes off my time. I'll be back.