Tri-Benbrook Sprint - TriathlonSprint

Great swim. I was 25 seconds faster than the time I signed up for, but only had to pass 3 people. 1 was in the first 100 yards and that was mid-lane. I tapped the other two on the foot and they let me go at the next wall.

No real issues other than the person who hit hands with me as we were swimming in opposite directions. Held a good moderate pace but didn't work too hard.

Seed myself a bit further up.

Sprinted out of the building and threw my cap and goggles down. Got my glasses and helmet on, grabbed the bike and ran.

Bike made a sudden turn on my and I had to grab the handlebars. Crossed the line and mounted as fast as I could. Later I would realize that everyone was yelling at me to tell me I had a flat front tire.

Pay attention to my flat tire.

Climbed into my shoes and suddenly my handlebars would shudder. Weird. Then they seemed to be fine so I kept going. Rounded the baseball field and they shuddered again. Damn. Something's really wrong. I looked down and saw the huge bulge under the rim. Fucking flat.

Pulled off to the side and got my spares out of my saddle bag. Took the wheel off and when I set the front end down they dug into the loose gravel and held itself upright. That's one thing that went right.

Wathced several dozen people pass as I swapped the tube and filled it. One person offered to help which surprised me. There's no karma given or lost during a race.

Finally got back up to speed and immediately hammered to get back into my >threshold rhythm which was my strategy for today's race. Entered Dutch Branch Park and was flying.

Half way through the park I was seeing the leaders coming back the other directions. One by one I was working my way back up to my original starting position. Started to actually more forward just before Nice Hill.

Got out of the saddle to hammer and coasted down the backside before the turnaround. Climbed back up the long side of Nice Hill and started to really feel the burn of this pace. I knew I couldn't keep going this hard for much longer but I was going to hold this wattage for as long as I could.

Picked up at least two guys in my age group on the way back in. I knew Tyler would be out of reach no matter what so I was racing for 2nd today. Came back out of the park and passed Jeanne on the final stretch before transition. She had been wondering where I was this whole time.

Climbed out of my shoes and came into T2 at full speed.

Don't get flat tires.

Sprinted to my rack. Mentally I was already off my game so I just wanted to get this race over with. Visor on, race belt on, walked as I put my flag pole together and got right up to full speed as I left transition.

Nothing. That's about as fast as I'll get with the flag.

Came out of the parking lot and headed down the road to the Par 3 golf course. Had to reel things back just a bit to keep my HR in my training zone. Came down the large hill and saw my buddy Eric at the bottom. Found my rabbit.

Turns out I should have picked a faster rabbit because I caught him before the end of the 2nd quick out-and-back. Turned to run up the long slow incline before the far out-and-back. Saw Tyler and he looked strong. Gave me a funny look when he realized how far back I was.

Made the far turnaround and it felt good to know that I was almost done. Kept a solid pace on the way back in. Pushed a bit going up the final hill and came across the line in the parking lot.

Good run. Goal was to stay in my training zone and that's just what I did. Still not too far off my 5K PR.

Put my stuff up in transition and went to the Jeep to weigh myself. Caught up with Tyler and we traded war stories. I didn't hang around that long because I was having a bad day and just didn't want to be around the race site anymore.

Especially since I had to do the same thing here the next day.


Flat tire.


Great race. Weather was a little threatening and the winds were really going on the run, but that's not Jack's fault. Excellent race with average post-race food.