2010 Walnut Grove Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Well, it was a hurry up and wait game before the start which was good, for my nerves. It really gave them a chance to take over. I kept looking around as the number of swimmers on the deck dwindled down and down and I began to feel fatter and slower as the real athletes were the only ones left, at least that's how my mind saw it.

Once in the pool I felt OK, until I began getting crowded out by oncoming traffic. I was fine in my lane, passed 3 or 4 and got passed myself once, but they were all clean. I suppose there was a real battle going on 50 meters ahead though because they were flying down the lane 3 abreast. The result of course was alot of banging and knuckle-knocking. I had my bell rung twice, but hey, that's triathlon.

All-in-all I was quite unhappy with my swim. I swam 30 seconds slower than last year.

I dunno, it sounds self-indulgent but I really think it was the format and the crashing that hurt me. Of course if I had trained harder I would probably be singing a different tune right now.

This was actually a horror show but I'm happy with the time. Let's see, the lens popped out of my glasses in transition, my helmet and bike fell over and I nearly fell off my bike at the mount line. It was all really more embarassing than time consuming. Truly I am happy with the meat and potatoes of the transition, I got to the bike fast and changed rapidly so...

Oh, did I mention I forgot my race belt on the ground...hahaha

Ummm, think a beat and calm the heck down.

The bike is now my focus!!! It's clearly my weakness and it showed here. I had trouble on the mount, but felt good after that. I dunno, I just couldn't truck up to speed. I think I would have hit 30kph but there were a few hiccups.

1) On the home stretch I was forced to stop for some emergency vehicles en route to assist a woman who I assume had been in a mix-up with a car. Of course that is not something I'm complaining about, I'm just saying it was a delay. Bad luck for me, but in the grand scheme of things maybe I was the lucky one. I sure hope she is allright.

2) Once it was safe to go past the accident my brain shut down. I actually turned right a block too early!!! This is also known as pulling a Riel. Thankfully I realized that I'm stupid quite quickly (something I'm acutely aware of at most times) and only rode about a block too far in the wrong direction.

I finished the course quickly after that and hit the bricks.

Ummmmm, stay on course.

TRAIN HARDER!

Dropped my bike at the rack... nuff said.

Got the shoes on fast though and found my race belt.

Survey the transition area more closely before the race, I felt a bit lost there coming in from the bike.

A new PB! Wow, I had a great run! This was by far my highlight of the race. Kept a steady cadence and kept pushing. I focused on passing everyone I came across and managed to do that. I Had a great sprint to the line against another competitor and just edged him at the line for that dramatic finish, at the expense of the photo of me at the end though. I swear I've never seen a worse expression on my face. It looks like I drank a jar of pickle juice.

Well, I made too many little mistakes. I let myself get rattled before the start and after the swim.


In spite of my hatred for the swim and the late start time I love this race. The course is great and the atmosphere is fun. Also, as a cancer survivor myself I love the fact that my cash goes to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

P.S. Riel, I think you owe me a trophy.