Monster Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

This was slower than I was hoping. Wasn't feeling particularly strong during the warmup, and it proved out during the race. Passsed one or two, got passed by a couple, but I held the draft on some of the faster ones. Plus I was able to get the open ladder for a fast exit.

Also, there was no timing mat, and I also wasn't really clear when the timer was starting me.

Solid T1. No socks, so just slipped into shoes quickly. Some tangled straps on the helmet, but only cost a second or two. Bake came off rack easily, and I was able to run faster than some through transition, but a great flying mount onto the bike.

AG: 4th
OA: 10th

Not much about the transition itself.

Glasses were in shifter cables so I could put them on once on bike; however, apparently I knocked them off during the mount. Don't do that. (Fortunately, someone saw it and turned them in for me.)

Pushed pretty hard and passed quite a few people at the beginning. (younger/less experienced racers?) Pace was hard/steady, but sustainable; kept it in the big chainring throughout, even up the hills. Got passed late in the 2nd loop by the person who eventually won my age group.

Still need to get back to being as comfortable in corners as I used to be; I lost a little time there, I suspect. Also, some more practice on the road with the disc/Hed combo. No significant problems today, though the wind did buffet me just a little.

Fantastic flying dismount into a run. Quick rack of the bike and into my shoes (still w/o socks). Grabbed race belt and headed out of transition, only a few steps behind the person who had passed me on the bike.

AG: 1st
OA: 12th

Nothing.

I pushed hard on this run. I had a rabbit ahead of me leaving transition, and though he steadily pulled ahead, I kept up the initial pace. He evetually passed someone else, who I then chased and finally passed at mile 2. Never looked back, but I always worried he was still behind me, and I think I picked it up even a little more for the last 1/2 mile.

Nothing.

Held myself up against the timing truck after crossing the finish. A little stretch and walking.


Apparently the griddle wouldn't heat up, so no pancakes. :-( But credit to the team for improvising with donuts, snack mix, cookies, cereal, etc. Plenty to munch on. Chatted with Aaron, Marci, Steve, and Shannon.

The skies had clouded and the wind picked up; it was getting cool. It was going to be a while until everyone finished, so we took the kids to McDonalds for pancakes before coming back for awards.