ITU JAL Age Group Triathlon World Championships - TriathlonOlympic

So I situate myself in the back and close to the bouys. I knew I would end up there anyway. So I started out well. I was staying right with the pack up until the second bouy. THen, "where did everybody go"? They were gone! So I just kept puggin away and trying to stay on course and navigate the waves and the coral! You know the sharp jagged stuff that hurts if you swim on it. After the turn around bouy there was a big patch of coral about 50 feet from the bouy. How did the big packs of swimmers get past that? So I get around the first loop and check the watch real quick. Shit 15:30. Slow. So I work a bit harder on the second loop and make up a little time. Get out of the ocean and run up the beach and head to transition. Lots of cheers, it was cool, however I knew my race was really starting now and it was time to get to work. THere were some brick pavers that led into transition that were wet and slippery, so I took it real slow around that corner. THis is were my friend slipped and broke her leg, her race was over. Poor thing. Got to T1 and my bike and a few others were the only ones left. I never got out of breath on the swim. No altitude is awesome!

Take swim lessons in the off season.

Good transition. I actually put my shoes on first and ran in them instead of keeping them on the pedals like I usually do. I think that is the way to go from now on. I got on my bike and up to speed much quicker!

Nothing.

1 loop out and back pretty much. Started out a bit conservative until the first hill, then powered up it and passed to people. One of who was in my age group. Powered along at a good clip into the strong head wind. Then A guy passes me. I dropped out of the draft zone and think, "what are you doing, you can go faster you aren't even working hard. So I repass him and drop him. Passed a few more people and saw my age group pack go by the other direction. I new I had to power up the steep hill and did and pased 4-5 more people. I passed about 15-20 people total. Mostly older people from the first wave, but I caught at least 6 in my age group. Starts to rain heading back into transition. Have to pass the officials motor cycle and 1 other rider down the hill. The dam motor cycle just stayed right in front of me. I didn't want a drafting penalty on the motorcycle so I had to power by him. THe penalty would had been a stop and go penalty. This means, stop get off the bike, pick it up, set it down, and go. Weird. Great ride. I felt like I left some in the tank for the run. I did see a guy face down on the pavement and was glad it wasn't me. So it ended up that no one passed me. THey were all ahead of me.

Nothing, maybe work at little harder at first.

Quick T2 off with the bike clothes ond into the running shoes and put on the number belt. #601

Nothing, I had a pretty crumby TZ spot for both bike and run.

Alright here goes. Out on the course I set a good pace but not too hard. I pass a few folks and a few pass me. Only a couple in my age group ended up passing. I was looking to pass as many U.S.A. 35-39 year olds as possible. I needed to be in the top 18 to be on team USA. I was running strong and comfortable. Got to the 5k mark and was at 19:52. Perfect. On pace to be under 40 minutes and that was my goal. I am chugging along and a guy passes me from Mexico running stong with about 1 1/2 miles left. I quickly get on his heels and match his cadence. I hung on for a while but then at mile 5, the legs fell off. My legs were very toast and and I had nothing left. I just kept saying hang on. I felt myself getting slower and more people were passing me. I finally saw the finish, looked over my shoulder and saw noone. Did the spread eagle in the air at the finish and lots of cheers. I then hear, " that's Mark Dillard from Colorado" I was happy! I was exhausted tooo and over heating. I was very disoriented at this point. I chugged some water and gatorade and put some on my head. I came back to like quickly so no need for the med tent. I was done! How did I end up against the USA guys. Well I was 20th. 2 spots away from making the team. Oh well! I had a blast and my best Olymipic distance time to date. I wanted to be under 2:20 and I was, barely!

I think I didn't run enough up to the time of the race. I really backed off too soon and swam too much. My swim is already shitty, at least I could have run better. Lesson learned.

Talked to some USA folks drank some water and gatorade. Took a rinse off shower at the beach and cheered on some friends. Walked back to the hotel to shower and call the family. AS I'm walking back, the race is still going on, I see 2 guys passes out on the race course. It was really getting hot out now. I am glad I am done. It is wierd to see someone passed out and not moving while doing the same thing you just did.


Not enough running. Get out and run a lot people, all the fast guys had smokin run times, like 33 minutes!!!!


Best world championship ever. Well for me. Hawaii was awesome and the ITU and the people of Hawaii put on a great race! Met lots of cool people and ate and drank too much after the race.