Tri Shark Classic - TriathlonSprint

79th out of 537 (Pros/Elites/Clydes/Athenas included)
I've worked pretty hard on my swim and it paid off. I started in the mix to get a feel for a little washing machine in preparation for IMWI. Had someone try to crawl up my back for about the first 75 yards.
I swam straight and swam pretty hard. I tried bilateral breathing, but was putting out too much effort. I didn't get caught by a group from the waves behind me and actually caught some of the people in front of me.

12:44 here last year (without wetsuit). Good improvement for me. Maybe slow down a little and breathe bilaterally, but not sure that is alot faster.

Ran into T1 and saw Nick up ahead of me, at first I thought it was James and thought "Damn, he had a great swim." I guess seeing Nick threw me off as I ran way past my rack and ended up toward the elite bikes (or where the elite bikes were). Turned around and found my rack. Wetsuit came off with no problem. No other issues really.

1:23 last year without wetsuit. Not run past my rack. I counted prerace and noticed a landmark, but still ran past it. Not start my Garmin as I'm running out of T1, wait for the line.

10th out of 537 (Pros/Elites/Clydes/Athenas included)
Fast bike course. I headed out of the park and forgot about the speed bumps again. Hit the first one and my gel went flying. Oh well, it's just a sprint. Pushed the bike the entire ride. There are a lot of fast bikes and riders at Tri-Shark. I passed a lot of bikes and some riders who I could tell are not used to being passed alot. I did ease off around the corners as the road was very wet. Just not worth the risk.
Headed back into the park, I did get passed by a guy I had just passed. I don't think he liked getting passed :). We were in the park at the time and to the speed bumps, so I didn't worry about hunting him down. I think he was in the age group below me that started 3 minutes ahead.

32:24 here last year on a different course, so can't really compare, but average last year was 24.1mph, so an improvement there. Nothing to complain about here.

No trouble finding my rack this time. Pretty smooth T2. While putting my socks and shoes on, I notice ants crawling all over my stuff. Perfect, I set up on an ant bed. Oh, well, maybe they will make me run faster, lol. Grabbed my race belt and garmin and felt good running out of transition.

1:12 last year. No socks last year.

138th out of 537 (Pros/Elites/Clydes/Athenas included)
Felt strong on this run, just not real fast. But, that is not bad for right now while training for IMWI. PF in left foot did give me a little discomfort for the first mile, but loosened up after that.
This winter will be a run focus winter. Hoping to get assistance from GCates and really improve on my run. I'm tired of passing people on my bike only to have them blow by me on the run. I seemed to loosen up after the turnaround and did set my sights on a runner up the road aways and caught him just as we turned back into the park.
**Edit to add: I remember seeing the runner up ahead and having a conversation with myself whether or not I should try to chase him down. Went something like this.
Look, maybe I can catch him.
No keep a smooth pace
I think I can catch him
Nah, I bet he's not training for an Ironman
How do you know, maybe he is....

24:25 here last year. Run is on track for IMWI.

47th out of 537 overall (Pros/Elites/Clydes/Athenas included)
Usual, walk, talk, cheer. Ate a little, then rode 46 miles home (about 1/2 in the rain).


1:12:09 here last year. So good improvement.
IM training. No taper.



Another great race by Colleen. Year in and year out she puts on a great race. The new bike course is great and fast.