Pioneer Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I lined up with the 5:30 to 5:45 peoples. I had only been in the pool about 6 times since IMWI, so wasn't expecting much. I started right behind Glen. Told him that with the pool swim, we would probably get held up somewhere along the way, but not to let it ruin your day. We planned to give a little extra time in between starts.

Jumped in and the first 25 felt good and smooth. Caught up to Glen and proceeded to smack his feet for most of the rest of the swim. Couldn't really pass him, as there were about 4 people piled up in front of him. Felt bad about continuing to hit his feet, but really not much I could do without stopping. He was passing people at the walls, but, after letting him go by, they would start again before I could get passed.
I swam a strong line when passing, forcing them to let me back in line.

I seeded myself way too conservatively in line. I should have been up with the 5:00-5:15 group. I ended up with a 5:21 and could have gone faster.

I was 23 seconds slower than last year, but with about 10% of the swim training over the winter.

5:21 in 2008
5:14 in 2009
4:58 in 2010
5:21 in 2011

No issues, not super fast, but not bad for the first transition of the year. I was on the outside, so the family was all there. I mentioned to them that Glen probably has bruised feet from me slapping them so much.

I could be a little faster, but not much

Not a bad ride, but not quite as strong as I wanted. Made it out of T1 before Glen, so I didn't see him on the bike, but knew he'd be trying to stay close to try to catch me on the run.

We had been watching the wind all morning and it looked like it would be a tough ride out, but a fun tailwind back. Headed out of town and it felt like a front quarter headwind, but I was fighting through it and my speed looked/felt good.

One thing about not being a fast swimmer is there are plenty of people to pass on the bike (and none of the fasties to pass me). Hit the hills and still felt good. Was thinking "just a few more miles and then we turn around and get that nice tailwind to take us back in." Saw and passed Pat just before the turn around.

Unclipped to make the turnaround (it was a little congested). Had a little troube getting clipped back in. Started back and thought "WTH, this feels like a front quarter headwind." Not sure what was going on with the wind, but it sure wasn't a tailwind either way.

Oh, well. The wind is blowing for everyone. Made it back over the hills and hit the flats. Passed Stephanie here and gave her some encouragement. Was surprised to see and pass Ryan just before getting into town. Turns out his brake was rubbing the entire ride. Saw James headed out on the bike as we came in. I guess he flatted/crashed and had to change his tire and dust himself off.

Push/Push/Push. Weather has not been very condusive for outside riding this year, so I've only had a few outside rides and a couple of TT's.

Oh, wait this says "What would you do differently?" not "Excuses" LOL

37:27 in 2008
34:51 in 2009
33:47 in 2010
35:15 in 2011

I could not seem to get out of T2. Put socks and shoes on, grabbed hat/race belt/garmin strap and took off. Oops, forgot the Garmin. Go back, grab Garmin off the bike, and proceed to get my race belt caught up in my bars. Untangle that, start down the row and dropped my Garming strap, turn around go back, grab it and finally head out of T2.

Don't be a forgettful clutz.

My first brick of the year. Coming out of T2, my lower back tightened up again and was very painful for the first 1/2 mile or so. That same "pain" that I had at Indy and Evergreen. I just jogged it out and it loosened up. Ryan passed me right out of transition as expected.

This is a hilly run, with short steep uphills and some big downhills. I'm still not sure which hurts more. About 1/2 way, I was running pretty loose and felt pretty good. I remember thinking, that I had not thought about my shoes or foot at all, which is a very good sign.

I knew Glen would be trying to catch me, so that kept me from slacking off. I also knew that long incline was looming out there right at the end of the run. Made it up that and saw the family. They said Glen was coming, lol, not yet, just a little ways to go.

I'm "OK" with where my run is right now. My foot doesn't hurt and I can run, what more can I ask for? Speed and endurance will come. Maybe a brick or two prior to the race.

24:05 in 2008 (different course)
24:40 in 2009
24:15 in 2010
26:59 in 2011

Cheered/talked/walked


WEIGHT is my biggest limitter right now. I need to drop about 10-15 lbs. Was a long winter and I guess I enjoyed it.


Another good race put on by this group. Challenging course, but fun and fair. Registration was a little congested as was the pool swim, but not sure what you can do about that.