Issaquah Triathlon - Triathlon

Fast swim! All times seemed quicker than normal, so distance may have been slightly short... Started out on front row off to the right to get clear path... got a bit wayward at first, but started sighting more and stroke was smooth. HR was high for first 100, but settled in nicely. Just getting into groove when it was done!

I only had 3 total swim workouts all of 2013 leading up to race... more time in the pool !

Not my best T1 by far... feet were freezing and took me longer than usual to get my helmet and out of transition. Did not like my rack set-up... hung bike on seat, but had to run around the bar after getting wetsuit off to put helmet and shades on... Won't do that again.

Did not get up to speed quickly - stopped to climb on bike, but got into shoes OK. All in all still 2nd fastest T1 in AG

Coned area at start is always slower, but traffic was pretty light... was able to pass pretty easily. Once out on Lake Samm Blvd, was able to push hard - don't think I could have gone any faster! Traded spots with fellow YTri member Sean Dixey about 10 times during bike - each time he passed made me realize that I was starting to slow. Very happy with 21.6 mph average, but slower than last year's pace of 22.1!

More training... have only done a few rides all year... was able to push hard, but legs were gassed. Got passed by Sean Dixon on bike toward the end when I went for my Gu... never caught him again!

Very smooth coming into T2, but my feet were very shaky, and calves cramping as I tried to put shoes on... took way too long to gather Garmin, visor, and race bib. Normally want to be out of T2 by 0:45-0:50

Sit down to put shoes on... would have saved time in retrospect

The sore throat held me back a little bit, but not bad....It took me longer than normal to find smooth running pace. Very happy with 7:34 pace! I got into nice groove from mile 1 to 2, and picked up pace a bit at 2 miles, but was running out of gas. Stayed strong for finish line sprint

Pick up pace a touch sooner for finish line... got passed by age grouper in last 1/4 mile and beat me by 4 seconds!

Water, banana, brats!


Sore throat and oncoming cold sapped my energy a bit... limited training volume, but have been running & swimming faster than normal during training.


Always a fun race... Live music at the end was a nice touch that made for festive atmosphere post-race.. the brats are always delicious! next year I won't eat 2.