Highline Hustle - TriathlonSprint

this was a really good swim for me! normally I start to the far right of most of the other swimmers but because I was a little late getting to the swim once I entered in the water I was directly facing the first bouy. I didn't really have time to try to relocate myself so I figured I would just deal with some of the faster guys swimming over me. I did get swum over some and bonked pretty good on the head once but once I got out about 50-yards I was feeling pretty good and for some reason headed right towards the bouy. Made that turn and I felt I kept a pretty good line for the entire swim. Everyone seemed to think this course was long. I would agree I think it might have been as much as 100-meters long. Also, the swim time includes a short run from the shore to transition. My watch time was about 30-seconds faster.

Nothing

Normally when I get out on the bike course there are so many people in front of me that I pass quite a few other riders. That was not the case on this race. For the most part I rode without much passing. There was one guy that I passed early on and we did a cat and mouse thing for the first half of the race. There was a pretty big hill right before the turn-around and at that point I could see he as right on my tail. He passed me on the down hill and I just kept him in my sight and did not repass. As it turned out, I passed him on the run and that gave me the 3rd AG spot.

There was a slight headwind on the 2nd half of the bike. I could have pushed the 2nd half a little harder but really I am pretty happy with my effort.

This run was ok for me. The course was long...I'm thinking maybe more like 3.5 miles. Right way the first guy I passed was the guy that we did the cat and mouse thing with on the bike. We made small talk for about a minute and then I picked it up a bit and he dropped back. At the time I did not know he was in my AG as for some reson the RD does not write ages on your calf for this race. Anyway, I had never run at this location before and while I had heard that there were some hills I was really surprised at how steep some of them were! Not long...but short and steep. I will admit that I do not run this type of terrain very well. I pushed the effort pretty hard; however, I think I had more in the tank at the finish. The last quarter mile or so was a flat stretch along the dam. This would have been a good place to sprint but I could see that I was not going to catch anyone and there was not anyone close behind that was going to catch me. I just kinda cruised in. :-)

I had been dealing with a running injury back in April/May. I've been running pretty consistent over the last 3-weeks...but not with a great deal of intensity. That showned in the race.

Stood in the shade and drank some water.


This was a new location to me. I had never biked or run the course before. I think had I of run the course and at least had driven the bike course I might have shaved a few seconds from my time. And as usual...my transitions need work!


This was my first race of the year and overall I am very happy with my effort...especially the swim! With my running issues this year I have been working somewhat harder in the pool and I think it was relflected with this race.

This is a small well organized event outside of Fruita on the western slope. An old friend of mine who lives in Grand Junction invited me to come out and race earlier this year and I decided it could make a fun weekend. the weather was pefect, the company was good, and the beers were plentiful! I would definately do this race again!