Buck Creek Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Had a good swim and a good race overall. Began steadily and just kept a good pace. Caught a good draft for the better portion of the first lap, then a few others throughout the swim. Navigation was great. I felt like I picked a straight line thoughout compared to other races. Clock doesn't stop until you reach transition which takes a good minute.

Nothing

This is my typical transition time. I prefer to take a few extra seconds to make sure I have everything. Everything went smoothly though. Wetsuit off easily.

Learn to put on bike shoes on the move. Takes practice, I'm not there yet.

Started on the bike feeling pretty good after a good swim time. The course leaves the park area for a two lap course over country roads. It is accurately described as having rolling hills. There were no long or real steep climbs. My nutrition plan was to drink two to three bottles of half Gatorade Endurance mixed with half water and then also two GU gels on the bike. I finished two and a half of the bottles and the gels and it seemed to work perfectly for me. I felt good on the bike and later felt great for the run. In two previous races I've had problems first with drinking too much and getting that sloshy feeling. Then on next race didn't drink enough on a very hot day and I think I got dehydrated. Anyway the bike was fairly uneventful and I spent most of the ride by myself. I didn't pass many people or get passed much. My goal was to keep a 19MPH rate and I succeeded with a 19.6.

I'd like to get a new bike, but other than that just continue to train harder. Cycling is the hardest for me to train because I have to drive a good distance to find good places to ride.

Got shoes off while still on the bike with no problems. Hopped off the bike and ran to rack while taking helmet off. I just can't run without socks so that always takes me some extra time. Slipped on shoes, hat, number belt and was off.

I should probably learn to run without socks, but at this point I'm willing to sacrifice that time in transition assuming I'll be able to run better and faster with socks on.

Began the run with some encouragement from my younger brother Jake who'd already finished the sprint distance race. I set off on the run feeling suprisingly good and thinking positive thoughts the whole way. The course was a double out and back. There was a downhill on the "out" portions which of course turns into an uphill on the "back" portions. It was not too severe however and the rest of the course was flat. I drank a few sips of water and sports drink at each water station and it was just the right amount. Also took two gels during the run. I felt unbelieveably good on this run and was cruising the whole way with a big smile. All the runners and volunteers were very supportive and I made a big effort to return the favor as much as possible. It's amazing how much a few words of encouragement can do wonders at that stage of the race. Jake was there at the turnaround with more cheering and a camera and I told him how great I was feeling. I finished the second lap and really didn't get overly tired until the last mile. I hustled up that final hill around the bend to the final stretch where I broke into an all out sprint giving it everything I had. I flew across the finish where there were about 2 or 3 people left cheering (one of which was my bro). I was hooting and hollering and jumping around as I had just gotten a new PR by several minutes! Wow what a great feeling. It was just one of those days where all the starts aligned and everything worked out for me. There are so many things that can go wrong during these races. On this day it all just went right for me.

One final note. About halfway through the run I passed a guy running in his socks while carrying flip flops in his hands... he was clearly suffering. I gave him some encouragement, went on with my race and forgot about him. Later I learned that this guy had forgotten his running shoes and somehow didn't notice it until he got off the bike. In the true spirit of triathlon, he chose to head out onto the run anyway not wanting the dreaded DNF. Of course he finished and survived I'm sure to tell a great tale. My hat goes off to that guy!

Nothing, felt great!

Did some walking around and shared race stories with my brother. Ate a little bit but I never really feel like eating after a race. Waited around at the finish and cheered on some of the other BOP'ers that came in after me.


Nothing really. I had a great race on a great day. I'm sure I'll make impovements with time and experience and more training. This is only my second year competing in triathlons.