5430 Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

My plan for the swim was to start up front, go all out for the first 100+ meters and then taper off and let others go by me. It worked for me in Galena so I thought I had a chance here. I said in my log it might work and it might blow up in my face. Turns out it blew up in my face. Front and center didn't work and I paid the price for it. I didn't want to start to the left because I didn't want to get slammed into the dock, and on the right I didn't want to get tangled in the rope so center it was. Probably a little overconfident since I had a great (for me) swim in my last race. Turns out there's a difference between doing a wave start with 30-40 people versus 107; or a difference in athletes in Galena versus Boulder.

Anyway, it was the roughest swim start I've ever had and I have a slightly black eye to show for it. I didn't have any clear water until after the first turn and for me, the time was completely spent being tangled up with other people. On the way back in, once I had my own water I was in a good rhythm and felt fine but I knew the damage was done in terms of time and it was just a matter of how much. I got out of the water at 15'14", 14" slower than last year.

At the end of the day, this was just a flawed race strategy for the swim; one that I won't make again in a race like this.

Start in front but on one of the sides so I could get more open water faster.

I have no idea what happened here. I didn't feel this slow going through T1, but I did have some problems getting my wetsuit off my feet. I absolutely love this wetsuit when I'm swimming but I've had problems getting it off my feet in every race this year. In a race where every second counts, being 34" slower than last year is real time.

Need to find a way to get my wetsuit off my feet faster. This was terrible.

Saw Drew (drewb8) go out of transition just before me and worked on catching passing him. Took me a little longer than expected and then I passed him only to have him pass me back before I passed him again. Played the same game with a couple other guys.

Having started in the second to last wave, the bike course was pretty crowded, and it was hard funneling everyone through some of the corners.

Overall I have mixed feelings about my bike split. I went with everything I had on it but I thought I'd have a better time than I did. On the way into T2 I put my feet on top of my shoes and crossed over the top tube way too early. I had to coast in really slowly, which cost me a few more seconds that I didn't have to waste.

Aside from making a smarter decision coming into T2, I went with what I had. I need to get more strength on the bike.

T2 ended up being about a 4" improvement from last year. It was uneventful, which was good.

Nothing except keep working on getting the hell out of here faster.

My legs weren't into this run from the beginning but I knew I didn't have time to get comfortable and wait for them to come around. I went out and once I got to the top of the small hill I ran with what I had. This part of the run was a lot tougher mentally than physically. I walked through the first aid station to drink some water and get the cotton mouth feeling out of there. From there I kept waiting to see Ben and Pete. I never saw Pete, but the longer it was taking to see Ben, the better and then I saw him when I had about 200 yards to go to the turn around. I hit the turn around at 10'24" and it was better than expected, which was a nice boost. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to catch Ben or not but since he wore a bright green jersey and the course is open, I could see him throughout the rest of the run. Once I got to about a mile left I knew I could catch up to him. When I did with about a quarter mile to go, I moved by like he was just another AGer and waited to see how he'd respond. He picked it up and didn't spend much time behind me before he kicked a little and went in front. He had about 5 feet on me and at that point I figured if he wanted to lead in I'd let him. It wasn't my plan to race from behind, but I knew I didn't have the legs or HR to push the pace for the last part with the effort that was required. Or at least not without blowing up. He picked it up a little once we turned into the chute, and since he was in front, took the inside while I swung wide to go around a person. I knew I was reeling him in but it was a matter of whether or not I had enough room left before the timing mat. Then, with about 1 steps left I passed him. Our time difference ended up being less than a second.

My run time was 5" off of my PR so I was pretty happy with it.

Physically my legs weren't into it at first but that's fine because at some point they'll come around. I need to figure out how to deal with that mentally and keep being able to push. Every positive thought here was overshadowed by about 10 negative thoughts that wanted me to quit. I obviously didn't, but I need to be able to move that out and keep the focus on running (or swimming/biking).

Sat in the shade, drank water and hung out with others.


Bad race strategy on the swim and a slow T1 were the main contributors.


The race is always well run with the parachuters that hold the flag through the awards. And it's always great to race in Boulder with a lot of friends. I was more nervous for this race than I had been for my previous two because even though it's a sprint, there's real competition and it has a big event feel to it.