So I've been working on changing my stroke since AG Nationals... I haven't swam a straight 200m except the Thursday before the race... so I was hoping my endurance would hold out. I was also worried about how I'd do, as my stroke is definitely not yet changed, especially when I get tired. As it turned out, the "swim" had a lot less to do with being a good swimmer and more with being a good body surfer. Lots of contact from the start, but it was the waves, 2-4ft FROM START TO FINISH that really made it feel like you were in a washing machine. There were a couple times I'd come up to sight, get a face full of water, turn to breathe, get a wave in the mouth, finally get a breath, then drop a couple of feet back into the water. I have heard that a LOT (like 50+) of people were pulled out of the swim Sunday :(

I thought it was fun :)

Turned out it was great for me. I just rolled along like a jolly drunk sailor while the real swimmers had to worry about it messing them up. Turns out those years of binge drinking finally paid off in a triathlon!

Jokes aside, I'm working on going from triathlete swimmer to real swimmer. Another couple of months of changing my stroke and I'm excited for what's to come next season.

Had a good T1 I think. No hiccups.

Standing up and not dolphin diving out of the water was probably silly (although that's more a swim thing...) but I did the right thing skipping the wetsuit strippers.

I came out of the gates hot. I made it out the first 5-6 mile stretch safely (a good # of people wrecked/bottle launched on that stretch of terrain) and got down to work.

At the 23.8miles checkpoint Rev3 has me clocking 25.52 mph, and I was well in the range of my race pace watts. Nutrition was going well, I was feeling good... only one problem. I ran out of water.

At mile 30something I was completely dry. On the half course the next bottle station after you leave the little town (25ish miles in) is on your way back to transition... at the tail end of the race. At mile 45 my watts drop by about 10. I get tunnel vision, my neck hurts (thanks aero position) I'm thirsty and I don't want any more of my "food." I'm also terribly irritable.

I know the signs of bonking. I know I'm bonking. I don't give two F's. All I want is water. I sit up for a minute to try to knock myself out of it. This close to the finish I know all I have to do is keep turning that crank... circle, square... however I can get it around. After what seems like eternity I hit that last aid station... I grab some water but the damage is already done. In the last 8 or so miles I get passed by at least 6 people (quit counting after that...) but there isn't anything I can do but keep grinding. I hit the coastal stretch again after seemingly forever and it's infested with Cedar Point traffic. (it's the back way in) I knew from riding it back in the day before that there are some game ending potholes if you hit them in aero... so I resign myself to riding back in to the finish sitting up.

It wasn't pretty, but I got it done.

Second bike split - 22.24mph avg. A sharp drop from the first part, but not a disaster. I cruise in to the dismount line and sigh with relief.

the 20oz Torhans bottle wasn't big enough. I should have used the 30 or brought an extra bottle. My fault completely. For some reason I was thinking the half course would hit the second aid station again on the way back in. No excuses though, I drove the course, should have paid better attention.

I got the bike racked, picked up my shoes and walked over to the finisher's chute. Monday happened to be my Nana's birthday (and Sunday was grandparents day) so, being that REV3 is cool with family crossing with you... I had her come through the chute with me. She got a shout out over the loud speaker and all! She's supported me for as long as I can remember, so I was thrilled she could share the finish with me!

-retcon. After speaking with USAT I DID NOT win the National Championship race in the M30-34 race. I'm very sorry and embarrassed to have made the mistake, but in the end the blame is mine.


I'm still making mistakes, but I'm learning. One day it's all going to click and then...watch out.

My swimming is still not good. I've got stroke lessons right now though, so I'm working towards fixing it!

please see this thread for a further explanation/apology.
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...


This is an amazing race. I can only hope that with Challenge on board it stays. At some point I'll be back to Cedar Point to race again.