Show Me State Game triathlon update

The Show Me State Games triathlon was this morning and it went pretty well. There was only a few hundred people if that and it was super low key. I don't think it's technically a "USA triathlon" sanctioned event, but nonetheless it's still a triathlon.

I really thought the heat would be a bigger factor considering the high today is over 100 degrees. But I guess that since it's been over 100 for the past month everybody is pretty much use to it by now. I don't have an official time yet, but I finished in about 1:48 which isn't a spectacular time, but it's not horrible either. I was able to get a pretty decent bike time with riding 15 miles in about 55 minutes.

My first open water/mass start went fairly well also. Nobody was too happy with the mass start, but what can you do. I was lucky to be in a fairly non cluttered area between the fast people and the slow people. There were maybe only a dozen of us in my general area with minimal bumping. The pond we swam in was filled with alge/seaweed (whatever you wanna call it) and you absolutely couldn't see a thing, but again what can you do. It could be worse.

The swim was a clockwise loop around the big orange buoys 

There was nothing too eventful about the bike, it was mostly uphill the first half and then we did a 180 degree turn and went right back. I've gotta say that I'm glad it was that way instead of being downhill the first half and then uphill on the second half.

The run was two laps around the lake that we swam in for a 3 mile run. Well, technically it was a run around the lake and then, like the bike, spin 180 degrees and go back.

It all went well with minimal complaints. But I have to say that my only complaint was that at the run around the .75 mile mark/ 2.25 mark (for the way back) there was a water station which is always appreciated. My only complaint was that on my way back there was nobody there and no cups left. A guy in front of me had to tip the bucket a fair amount to get the water out. I can deal with getting our own water especially at such a low key event, but the fact that there weren't any cups left was kinda bothersome. But it's not the end of the world.

Here's what you've probably been waiting for: pictures and videos (disclaimer: I know that my transitions aren't very good)

My helmet set up, it worked pretty well

My ground set up minus my shoes. Normally I wouldn't have energy chews but it was really hot and I figured anything could help. I also chose to have water and Gatorade to keep my electrolytes in check

The swim start video is easily the coolest one of the bunch

I don't know if I'm gritting my teeth or smiling. Going from the swim to bike

Going off to the bike course

This one is pretty bad quality, but it's the bike to run transition

The finish-and yes it was gravel 95% of the way which probably added an extra level of difficulty