Topeka Tinman Triathlon - Long Course - TriathlonLong Course

The plan was to start hard to the first turn bouy (150 yards) then settle into a smooth sustainable pace. Started on the inside and executed the plan, at about 100 yards saw a group of fast swimmers to my left maybe 10-20 feet ahead but they pulled away pretty quickly, would have been interesting to see if I could have hung in their draft. Settled into the smooth sustainable pace at about 200 yards with no issues, I think 2 guys slowly passed me along the back stretch, I tried to draft but couldn't swim near straight enough, I'd settle in and feel a nice pull for a couple of strokes then I'd be off to the left too much. Had issues spotting bouys after the turn back, I might have swung way wide around the last turn bouy and been outside by 50 feet, no big deal just sighted on the shore, boats, and swim caps I could see ahead of me. Passed a few of the women from the first heat along the way with no issues. My comfort level was great throughout, I've been to SM Park for OW swim twice already and it has paid off.

still need to improve on navigation, swimming straight and sighting without screwing up stroke too bad, this will directly improve drafting.

Practiced the barefoot flying mount again last night but I got a transition spot right by the bike exit so went with putting shoes on in T1 . They didn't call the water temp until about 6:40, early unofficial temps were 77 so I set up T1 for the wetsuit, food and Garmin in jersey pockets under the wetsuit. As I was heading to the lake to warmup they said too warm for wetsuits so I had to go back and rearrange transition. overall smooth but slow loading jersey with Cliff Bar, putting on Garmin, etc. As I was clipping in my right foot I noticed my goggles hanging from the pedal, crap, I reached down and tossed them into the grass over some spectators. They were not there after the race.

barefoot flying mount, don't know why I'm relectant to do this, it goes fine when I practice and mount everything else to the bike or number belt.

My goal was >22 mph. Knocked back 2-24 oz water bottles and 2/3 of a Cliff Bar, passed a lot of people early on, after a few miles there were only a few people in sight ahead of me so the passing slowed down. I think my level of effort slowed a bit in the later middle half then ramped it back up with a few miles to go to the finish. The last person I passed was one of the women from the first heat and I chased her for miles, I didn't makeup any ground on her during the hilly middle part of the course but when it flattened out the last few miles I closed the gap fast and flew by her. Don't know if she let up at the end or is a mountain goat but she was cruising for awhile.

maintain a more even effort, don't slack off.

pulled feet from shoes and got a comment from the announcer about my cyclocross style dismount. Popped helmet loose while running, racked bike, put on shoes and socks (maybe a little slow) then took off running.

not much, adjust Yankz when putting on shoes.

Goal was <7 min pace, almost made it, overcast weather helped, would have been a 90/90 day if the sun was out. Brief stop out of transition to yank my yankz a little more, probably right by where I tossed my goggles off the bike. Ran all alone from T2 to about mile 5.5, didn't see anyone ahead or behind me. Stomach started getting angry after a few miles, went with water only at most aid stations. Passed a bunch of kids warming up for a ball game around mile 3, they asked if I was in a race, I said yes then asked them what place I was in, they said 3rd. Cool, coming into the race I thought an overall top 5 was possible but knew it would be tough and now it was looking promising. There were some hills starting at mile 4.5 that hurt, I had been on the verge of calf and quad cramps for a couple of miles and they took their toll, I looked back at mile 5.5 and suddenly there was a kid about 100 yards back and closing, I focused on turnover and got back in the game mentally. Merged with the short course at mile 6, kid caught me shortly after that and I hung with him about 10 yards back, far enough so he wouldn't push the pace too hard but within striking distance if it came to a sprint finish. We got passed by a fast mover around mile 6.5 (I believe he started 5 minutes back from us too, hard to tell with teams, du, and 2 mens waves). Turned onto the Tinman Circle about mile 7 and I picked up the pace, figured I could hang on if I caught the kid but he also sped up trying to put some distance on me. Started my charge with 100m to go, the kid heard me and took off too, I had better top end, passed him about 10 ft out and crossed the finish at 16 mph. We both had the same time. I don't think a finish could have played to my strengths any better.

stay focused through the middle

food and hydration, sat down, chatted, stretched, went and sat in the lake for a few minutes, checked the results


Not fully rested, actually quite sore on Friday from hard workouts Mon and Wed, but this was a training race. My longest race to date, didn't know what to expect beyond about 1 hour. Also haven't gotten in much distance running yet this year, I think a couple of 5.5 milers, need to ramp that up to get ready for the Kansas 50. Overall met swim and bike goal and missed run goal by 8s, very pleased with results.


Pretty well run race overall, they have made improvements based on past feedback, just doesn't have the carnival atmosphere of some of the larger races but that's what you get with a smaller race.