Patriot Games - TriathlonSprint

Ha, Ha! That's all I can say about this leg for us. I've been having trouble for about 6 weeks with a sore left achilles and I wasn't able to stay with my partner during the run to the canoe as I just can't sprint right now without pain. Only was about 20 seconds behind him though and he had our life jackets and paddles in hand when I got there so I didn't really hold us up much. We were probably about 10th to the canoe's. Was a bit confusing as last year they didn't line up the canoe's at the water so we went to grab one and take it to the water and then realized there were a ton of vacant one's right at the water. Rich grabbed the front of one yanked it into the water and jumped in. Only problem was I wasn't in yet and he was 5 yards out into the lake. I lunged and got the canoe and tried to jump in flat so I wouldn't tip it over. I was successful with that but Rich did a military drill jump into the lake and the look on his face when he surfaced was priceless! He then went to get in and tipped the whole damn thing including me over. At this point there was water in the canoe so we had to wade back to shore and get a new boat. We let at least 15 - 20 teams get ahead of us during this mess. The best part was the MC shouting we have swimmers! I could hear the laughter in his voice. Did fine getting in the boat the 2nd time and headed out. The sad part is we had a great canoe. I was able to keep us right on line and we must've passed 10 or so out there I'd say. When we hit the 2nd buoy and turned from home my arms were burning like a beeatch! Tried to bear down as this was the only part of the race where the arms would be a factor so just went for it. Hit the exit ramp directly and with speed.

Um, not fall in the damn lake! Luckily the water was warm and it was hot out. Also glad I put the sports straps on my glasses or that might've been real ugly the rest of the day.

Great transition for us. Got out of the boat and hauled it up to the drop spot and sprinted right into transition. Grabbed a quick drink from my extra bottle, put on the helmet and ran out and jumped on the bike on the move.

Nothing really. T1 time is included in 1st segment.

This is where the partner thing gets difficult. To be fair Rich had to wait for me on this leg last year. We took off out of transition and he got a better start then me so he was about 100 yards ahead by the time we got out of the park (minor incline) and on to the main road. He stayed about that far ahead until we hit a decline. I went into aero and flew right up to and past him. I decided not to wait knowing that soon after the decline we'd be turning onto Callowhill and the hill I had issues with last year. Got real good speed going right up to and into the hill and was able to stay smooth and zip right on up. Rich fell about 30 seconds behind here. After the hill I went into cruise mode waiting for him to catch up (this became a common them on all the hills). He caught up to me about 2 miles later right before we headed for a brief detour back into the park and the only tight portion of the course. The rest of the 1st loop was uneventful except for my water bottle flying off right before the 2nd hill (there's a bridge there with a bump and it sent it flying). When we hit the 1st hill again on the 2nd loop I again lost Rich but decided to pace with a guy ahead of me who was trying to catch his teammate. I asked him if he wanted me to try and pull him forward a bit and he said sure so I played the role of rabbit for him. Approaching the 2nd hill again I told him I was going to stop if my water was still there which it was and wished him well. About 1/2 way up the hill my chain popped off so had to stop and reset it. Another 100 feet or so and it popped off again. By the time I got it on again Rich caught up and I told him to keep going I'd catch up. Caught him shortly after the top of the hill and then he popped a chain. I stopped to help him reset. From there I told him I was going to just go to T2 as was only about 1.5 miles away and mostly on the decline. Got there about 2 minutes before him.

Nothing really. Stay away from the gears that made me drop my chain as that's happened before to me. Guess I gotta get that checked out. I easily could've cut 8 - 10 minutes off my time if was on my own. My ability on the bike this year compared to last is like night and day. If I can put some good time in heading into next year I should really be able to make some gains.

Good transition. Got there took a drink or two and waited for Rich to be ready. Grabbed two cups of water on the way out and dumped them on my head as was pretty hot out.

Nothing. Had some time to get myself together. T2 time included in bike segment.

Rich was having an issue with his left hip abductor almost right from the start. I asked if he minded me just going off and running and he said no. I knew I'd see him on the way back anyway and if he was struggling I'd just turn around and stay with him. About 1 minute from the turnaround I saw friends of mine (Jay/Chuck) who were about 11th I calculated at that time. Was running at a decent pace and my left foot felt good. At the turnaround I stopped and drank 2 cups of water and poured one over my head. Still didn't see Rich. Decided to run on to see how he was doing and if he was ok see what my time would be on my own. Saw him about 15 seconds later and he said he was doing ok but just couldn't run any faster. This is a shame as he just ran a 21 minute and change 5k a month or 2 ago so he has much more in him. Started running at a slightly faster pace and passed about 5 or 6 teams. Right around the starting point of the race originally the 2nd place women's team caught up and passed me. I debated trying to keep up with them but quickly realized that wasn't going to happen. Ran hard all the way up until I could see the finish around the bend and stopped. Noted the time on my watch so I could subtract the time I had to wait here for Rich so I could figure my own 5k time. Talked to a guy who I saw on the run course and he had finished 3rd. Saw Rich and we ran in together to the chute and smiling.

Not much. Had a decent run for me. It was hot and humid but maintained a good energy level and a good steady pace.

Grabbed a water after the chute and headed over to a table that had power bars and water ices. Saw my Dad who happened to have some of the most delicious oatmeal cookies I had ever tasted that he had made the night before. Found the other guys from my work and hung out and watched some of the other finishers. Went to get stretched out and saw perhaps the finest female specimen of all time. She was part of a Co-Ed team and they ended up winning the whole thing by a few seconds. She was just sick and that little sarong thing she had on was almost too much for me take! I love Tri chicks!


Nothing really. Would've been interesting to see what times I would've put up on my own but I was still pretty spent after the event. This course is the most difficult I've been on so far.


I simply love this race and hope to do it every year as long as I can always find a partner. I feel like I need the 9/11 reminder every so often and the fact that this event is in honor of someone in the towers that day sends chills up my spine. His brother and friends put on a top notch and interesting event that is very well organized with lots of very energentic volunteers. Already can't wait to do it next year.