Abitaman 3 - TriathlonSprint

Good swim for me. 2nd wave and it was a large group. I think they sent the 3rd wave off a little early as the speedy ladies overtook us way faster than normal.

The group was 100 plus, which is alot for this course. I chose an inside line to the first buoy as the wide line looked to be more crowded. It was a very congested swim and my experience with large groups probably helped me. I have plenty of experience and am not bothered by working in a crowd but it could have been very intimidating to a newer person. The swim along the poles helps me alot as I am navigationally challenged. On the way back, I passed quite a few folks and felt great coming out of the water.

Can't think of much. Need to keep up the drill work.

I have resolved that I don't need to put shoes on the bike. I am better off getting on bike and jumping.

T1 Rank 67 Overall, 11th in AG

No issues

Was worried about bike after hard time trial race yesterday. Holy cow, started out with a major tail wind. I looked down and I was at 25 and still in the small ring, I knew it would be an interesting ride. About a mile into it H 13 (Rob) zipped by me. He had a 2 minute headstart on the swim but I felt like I was toast if I didn't whip him on the bike. I did not whip him on the bike! For most of the bike ride we played catch. We must have passed each other 20 times during the race. I have no doubt he raised my performance significantly. Rob ate me up on hills and turns while I battled back on the flats and downhills. I caught my friend Dave at about mile 5, which was way too early. Chatted briefly then kept pushing. The course has some nasty holes and being a local I was able to hit the really bad ones on both laps. I lost my water bottle on the first loop and almost flew off on the second. I took a small shot of goo with 5 miles to go and my aero bottle was dry with 3 to go. Rob led me into transition, but I knew I had an awesome bike split.

Avoid potholes, I have raced on this course at least 6 times and there is no reason I shouldn't be able to miss those things. I need to work on hills and bike handling.

I didn't take feet out of shoes and thats okay. I was in 7th place in AG out of T2 (woohoo)

70th Overall
10th Age Group

I would pull straps loose on the shoes. I wouldn't take shoes off but I would loosen the straps.

Keeping cool was kind of hard but the run training in July paid off. Rob was just 100 yards in front of me and I was just aiming to keep him in sight. I also wanted to hold my friend Dave off for a mile. When I beat him off the bike he usually catches me quickly. I felt good the whole run and pushed myself throughout. Probably my best run in a hot race and one of my best triathlon runs ever. I held off my friend Dave for well over half the race and was as close as I have ever been to him at the finish line. I got passed by 8 in AG on the run. Really good for me.

I have to keep my run mileage up, it works almost as good as bike lots.

Lots of stretching (lol) maybe 2 minutes. Went to finish line to cheer folks in.


Only the heat, but a great race for me.


BT had a good turnout. The H13's had strong races and Rob probably made my race with the wild bike race!!! He will beat me soon. I met Rugbykid and his wife, I am very impressed with the guts he brings to the race and enjoyed cheering him in. I also met justalittletri and her sister. She was cheering us in at the finish. I can't wait for her to race, she is gonna be good!!! Saw tons of friends and family folks, a great day.

Improvement over the last 2 Premier Events. The rocks on the swim were cleaned up, the bike course was not forced, and they had sports drink on the run. Oh, they also got printed results out quick and they give nice plaques.

Negatives - too many people in the swim waves and not enough separation of the waves. No post race awards ceremony. They said it was too hot and humid and that was lame. Part of the fun is watching folks get there awards. I hate to admit this but by my watch they screwed up the chip times by 30 seconds for my group and my actual swim and total time are 30 seconds slower. I don't know if the other groups are off are not.