Tejas Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

My first OWS. I knew I'd drift off course, but didn't expect how far I could go off course in just 10 strokes. I was stopped by a kayak and told to head the other way. I had to sight more often which threw off my breathing and wrecked the rest of my swim. Killed me mentally because I can swim 1000 yards in a pool with no problem, and I knew I could be doing better.

Practice sighting so I can fit it in smoothly with a regular breathing pattern.

Biked with running shoes. I could have gone faster here, but I was so out of breath from the swim, I didn't WANT to go faster because I wasn't ready. Still, not a bad time for me.

Run with the bike. Learn how to jump on.

My head wasn't in it by this time. I should have been able to go at a faster pace, but I had no energy and couldn't muster anything.

Learn how to work the gears better.

Only had to remove helmet and gloves and then get my hat. Forgot my hat and stepped back a couple of paces to get it. I could have gone faster, but I was still trying to catch my breath.

Quit forgetting things in T2.

Worst run ever. I walked so often it was ridiculous. My side started hurting before I had gone half a mile. I started walking and could barely catch my breath to continue. I didn't push myself because I was out of it mentally.

Pull my head together and not give up.

Drank some water and tried to pretend I was satisfied with "just finishing".


I didn't prepare in the right way for the swim, and that killed me mentally (and somewhat physically) for the rest of the race. I was down on my performance before I got out of the water, and beat myself up mentally almost the entire rest of the race. I even recognized that it was counter-productive, but I couldn't pull my self out of it.


The run was not marked well enough. In the turn after the water station at mile 2, there was no sign at the corner. I saw runners going straight and others going right. Luckily, a water station volunteer was near and I asked. Otherwise I might have been totally off course.