Top 5 Most Embarrassing Triathlon Moments

By Chris Zimmer

While we would all like to look as cool (and be as fast!) as Craig Alexander or Chris McCormack on race day, there are inevitably going to be moments that we hope were not caught on film!

We have all done dumb, embarrassing or silly things on race day, like putting on your bike helmet backwards or forgetting your goggles, but I have a few that make those look quite normal. Fear not-- if it's embarrassing, it's already been done. And it will make for a good story the next day!

1). During a race in 2005, after the bike leg I clipped on my race belt and headed out on the run. After a few minutes I noticed a “soapy” smell, but didn’t think anything of it. Then people who were passing on the way back in started giving me strange looks….I glanced down and noticed that my race belt was FOAMING….upon inspection after the race, seems my swim shampoo had leaked in my transition bag and soaked my race belt.

2). On the run portion of a sprint race in 1996 I was heading out on an out-and-back course, running to my own rhythm and holding my own line. The path was somewhat uphill and twisting. I was holding the inside line on the path when I looked up and got a face full of the leader or the race. As I fell to the ground all I could think is…”I safely made it off the bike, and I am having a wreck on the run. . . go figure!”

3). During my 3rd ever race in 1995 (sprint distance), I was experimenting on different ways to keep hydrated during the race and thought, "Well, if I need to stay hydrated, might as well go all out" so I did the run with a Camelbak. The straps managed to rub my shoulders bloody and needless to say, ended the run with a Camelback that was almost full, except for a couple of ounces that managed to leak out!

4). In the Inaugural New Orleans 70.3 race, I had a pretty solid bike leg and was coming back in to transition, preparing to do my flying dismount. I moved over to the left to get out of the way of other racers and stake my own line. As I neared the dismount line with a good bit of speed and ready to leap off my pedal and start running, I noticed the guy on my right was pulling his leg over his bike and somehow the leg ended up RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! His leg ended up in my chest, and stopped me dead in my tracks. I did fly off my bike and dismounted, but it wasn't he flying dismount I was prepared to do!

5). During the Bike leg of Ironman Wisconsin, I was getting frustrated with the cold, wind and rain. During the second loop I felt like I had gotten a nice little break with no rain and little headwind. All of a sudden I was hit with a strong momentum robbing gust of wind. In my frustration I blurted out a string of obscenities that would make a sailor blush. As I looked up from my aerobars, I became aware of two elderly ladies who had been cheering me and were now in complete shock and horror upon listening to my potty mouth. I am not sure if they are still fans of triathlon!

Always remember to enjoy your imperfections, goofs and gaffes, because long after you forget your finishing time, splits, or your finishing place…you will surely remember the unique YOU moments of your races. I certainly do!

Chris is a USAT Level 1 certified coach with The Sport Factory, coaching triathletes, duathletes and cyclists. He has been a multisport athlete since 1995 and competed in races of all distances, including two Ironman finishes. Chris a USAT Honorable Mention All-American for 2009. He is a proud husband and father of two daughters, and an avid cyclist completing centuries and cross-state rides throughout the last 20 years. Chris’ motto is: “Remember the most important things in the world are those which money cannot buy and nobody can take away!” Chris can be contacted at coachchris@sportfactory.com.