Rock Cliff Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I put the men's ranking instead of my AG because there were only three big boys competing as Clydesdales.

The race director said that it was an accurate course - measured by the Coast Guard even - and I'll believe him. I don't believe my time, though! Me averaging less than 2-minutes per 100 meters!?! Unbelievable! The funny thing is that I started in the middle of the pack instead of at the back this time, and I kept bumping into guys. But that was a good thing because I was keeping up. I just need to stay away from the backstroking and breast-stroke dudes next time. I even somehow managed to smack my friend, a swimmer from high school back in the day, and beat him out of the water! Felt awesome! Arms got tired, but it was worth it! Assuming the distances were accurate, this was by far a PR for me, YAY!

Overall: 51 of 140
Men: 33 of 78

Sighting still needs some help, but this was the best I've ever done as far as sorta, kinda swimming straight. Doing an open-water swim earlier in the week with my friends - hey Amy and Jen! - was definitely beneficial.

Maybe the fast swim took something out of me, but I was just moving in slow-mo here. Normally, I have my suit down to my waist by the time I get to transition - much to the chagrin of people who have to see my belly jiggle and wiggle like Grandma's Jell-O. This time, it took a minute to get off at my bike. Ugh. Then I took my sweet time getting my shoes on. Then I rearranged how I put my wetsuit on the rack. Then I ordered pizza and took a nap. Then I decided to go on a bike ride.....finally!

Overall: 80 of 140
Men: 52 of 78

MOVE FASTER!

I struggled again to get my right foot into my Power Grips (the straps on my pedals) because my running shoes are extra wide. The first mile was a no-pass zone, so I dinked around with that and tried to get my computer working, but no go. I had to go without my biking buddy - my Cateye that tells me how far and fast I'm going. Bummer.

The ride was amazingly scenic. Loved it. It's also on a road that my family used to take to get to our favorite camping spot in the Utah mountains (Mill Hollow Reservoir), so that was fun. Brought back memories of my dad, who LOVED it up there. Maybe he was watching me from heaven :) I got passed by several people the first few miles as I tried to get a good rhythm. I eventually saw my buddy well ahead of me (his T1 was about 45 seconds quicker than mine). I wanted to catch him at first, but the course was slightly uphill for most of the first 6 miles. Then we had to cut back and go up a big hill before it finally leveled out.

After getting passed up a bunch, I started exacting some revenge, hehehe! I passed a fast girl and a couple of young 20-something dudes and finally caught up and zipped by my friend, who was stunned! (Another evil laugh!) I kept flying and then continued with that momentum thanks to a huge hill that we got to zoom down -- YEEHAW! Too bad my computer wasn't working. I probably hit the mid-40s, at least. FUN! I knew my run was going to suck, so I just kept pedaling like a mad man on the bike for the last few miles. One 22-year-old guy couldn't decide what speed he wanted, so we kept playing leapfrog (he didn't laugh when I joked about that with him). I felt great about my bike, even if I didn't leave much energy in my legs. Overall, I'd probably say it was my best bike race in a triathlon. My 56-mile ride to my wife's grandparents' house a week earlier definitely paid off.

Overall: 57 of 140
Men: 44 of 78

Maybe drink a bit more or take some GU or eat something to give me a boost heading into the run. Make sure my computer is working (one sensor got pushed out of place during my setup), because that often helps me push it more.

I got off my bike in good condition, but at that point I realized two things were numb: my feet and my hands! Weird. I couldn't even unbuckle my helmet, so I had to just tug the strap off under my chin. Not ideal. At least I got out of there fairly quickly, which I should do considering I wear my running shoes on the bike.

Overall: 29 of 140
Men: 21 of 78

Not much.

The course director got a huge cheer before the race when he informed us that an overnight downpour had forced them to shorten the run course! I couldn't feel my feet for the first part of the run, but I still busted outta transition at a quicker-than-usual pace. I felt like my heart was going to jump out of a nostril, so I slowed down after about a quarter-mile. It was all turtle, all the time after that. Runner after runner passed me - many giving me encouragement, which is always, well, encouraging! I kept wondering when my friend was going to catch up with me, but I hit the mile mark and the aid station and made it up a good-sized hill and then down the other side before he finally did.
It was pretty cool, though. Instead of just blazing past me, he made me go with him. He could've gone faster, but he pushed me to the finish line, telling me to finish fast and to keep running. Part of me wanted to tell him to leave me alone and let me die my slow, painful death, but I painfully pushed it to the finish line. Thank heavens the race was flat the last half-mile and even better that it was short - about 3/4 of a mile supposedly. Won't hear a complaint from me! If my guesstimation is accurate, that's still probably my fastest pace in a race (thanks Alan!).

Overall: 106 of 140
Men: 67 of 78

Maybe I need to take a second to eat a GU or something at the beginning of my run to get some extra energy. I definitely need to run more, though, that's for sure. Ugh.

Drank some tasty chocolate milk - LOVE THAT! Also had some orange slices, half a banana, a cookie, half a bagel and some water. Just walked and talked other than that.


Being fat, not training enough, being fat because of not training enough, etc.


LOVED THIS RACE. It was very scenic. Really fast and fun, too. Definitely will put it on my must-do-again list. Another company does the same course there at Jordanelle Reservoir later in the summer so I might have to do that one.

The rewarding part of the race came afterward as I found out that I'd finished second in the Clydesdale Division. While there were only two other big boys in the category, I don't care. It felt AWESOME to hear my name called as a second-place finisher. The medals ceremony was a bit discombobulated - they did a different age group after announcing the Clydesdale winner - but I had a huge smile and was overcome by a feeling of accomplishment and sheer joy when my name was announced. And it's about time I finished on the podium - this was ONLY my tenth race! Hopefully, it will happen again someday. Hopefully, however, I won't be competing in the Clydesdale category when I do win another medal :)

Overall: 70 of 140 (Just call me Mr. MOP!)
Men: 52 of 78 (I'll consider that back of the middle of the pack, haha!)