Loveland Lake to Lake - TriathlonOlympic

So - check out the low swim ranking. 342 out of 541 people. Yet, pace-wise I was right on target with my regular swims, even a bit faster. Yeah, there was a long run-up afterwards, but I came out of the water in about 31 minutes, which equates to something like 1:50-ish per 100 yds. What sucked though, was I could not get into a good rhythm of bi-lateral breathing. Never been a problem before. I usually end up gasping and spitting like everyone else for the first 100-200, then settle in. Never really got to the settling in part, but even breathing single-side didn't really tax me as much as I though it would. I think I held back a bit knowing that I was breathing like that, in fear of spending all my energy out there. But I have to say, I'm happy with my swim. Consistent, average time, and it set me up for a killer ride!

Force myself to settle down and relax sooner.

Fast, smooth, decent T1.

Whoa. I rode this course a week before, and knowing that last year it took me something like 1:35-ish, I figured I would push and hit 1:30 this year. In practice, I did that - 1:30 on the nose, and I was pushing it. Today....I was on fire man! I hit those hills like they were nothing, and I felt like I was riding it very smartly, not going too hard, but pushing enough to make it a race. Finished it 1:22:59, and until that finish, I hadn't even looked at my watch. I was astounded! My goal for this race was to do 2:50 overall - best ever here was 2:52, 3 yrs ago. Last year was 3:03 -- with that bike split, I was on the way to doing it! Went from 342 overall to 75 overall on the bike.

Great T2 - hit the ground barefoot, right leg slung over the bike, and I ran it out very smoothly. Been practicing that move for a while, and I finally nailed it.

This run has always been my nemesis. Not because it's difficult, because the course couldn't be easier. But I have always had problems with running the entire thing, and I don't know why. I was hellbent on not doing that this year, and I didn't. First mile was 7:35, second was 8:05, and I kind of hovered around there for the rest.
Feet were killing me - more on that later. Last year, the finish line was set up differently, but being the smart-ass I am, i opted not to go to the pre-race meeting this year, seeing as how I "knew it all". Whoops. I cam haulin ass down the sidewalk, full on sprinting to what I THOUGHT was the finish right around the corner. What the? Where is that guy going? WTF? I have to keep going???? SHIT! I had put everything out there on the final stretch, and I was going to go under 2:45! But noooo......ended up having to PASS the line and circle around a pond for about another 600 yards or so to get to the finish. DUH....it was all I could do to keep moving after my premature finish, and that last 600 yards was all kindsa miserable! But hey - I came to the line in 2:46, beating last year by 17 minutes, and beating my goal by 4. I was ecstatic!!!!

uh - go to the meetings, moron!

Sit on grass, pour ice water on burning feet.


The fact that my legs don't move as fast as the guys that passed me :)


Love it! 2:40 next year baby!!!!!!