Las Palomas Triathlon at Rocky Point - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Very first open-water swim ever. Overall I'm okay with the swim. Also first time doing a swim in my new wetsuit. Pretty much didn't kick at all, just letting my legs drag behind. Don't think I passed anyone, and the swim seemed to take FOREVER. I was glad to get that one under my belt, but I need to get faster though!

First time trying to peel off a wetsuit. It went about like I thought. I had my suit peeled down to the waist and my goggle and swim cap off by the time I entered T1. The suit did get hung up on my ankles and on the timing chip a bit. Decided to bike without socks, and that worked good. The biggest problem was I forgot to grab a couple gels that were sitting on my towel. So on the bike I had no calories:(. Otherwise, I was fairly happy with T1.

I was NOT HAPPY when I realized I forgot my gels. I knew I was in trouble with over an hour of hard riding and no calories, but all I could do was keep pedaling. I was actually happy with my pace. I passed tons of people, and was only passed by about 5 people on the whole course. 20 mph turned out to be my comfortably sustainable pace overall. The wind definitely played a factor, but I just kept pushing.

Figure out a fool-proof way to not forget my gels! Maybe a bento box for next race.

My legs felt rubbery, but okay. I found the bike rack just fine. Decided to put on my socks and then grabbed my bib, visor, and a couple gels. Paused for a few seconds to gulp down a gel and some water at the rack. I was dying for some calories!

The first mile I concentrated on short strides and high cadence to work out the legs from the bike. First mile was 8:30 pace, which was slow, but about what I expected. Then the huge up and down hills started and it killed my pace. I couldn't get a stride and was just fighting to make it up and down the hills. The downhills were steep too, so I was more worried about saving my knees than going faster. They really wiped me out, and I was frustrated with the distance thing too by the end. It was what it was, I guess.

Not much. I was short on calories and close to bonking at the start because of the bike. Next time I would hope to come into the run with more overall energy. The hills I think are specific to that course, so won't translate to the next race.

This race gets a high rating because of the atmosphere and party more than the actual course. The live band, slip-n-slide, and free corona beer at the finish made it a FUN race. It's not a place to try for a PR, though. We had a great time and will probably go back next year.