Lake Stevens 70.3 Triathlon World Qualifier - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I was in the second to last wave. Relay people were last. Had a partial anxiety attack of "Oh crap, gotta swim a full 1.2 mile swim. It went away quickly, telling myself relax/done this before.

Eased into water off of dock so wouldn't get water up the top. Got goggles adjusted. Still had to stop 3 times during the swim to dump water out of them.

Started on the outside and avoided much contact and conjestion. Had decent rhythym, breathing was ok. Just didn't push the pace, Looking back, should have gone harder (but at the time, I just wanted to finish).

Coming up to the slanted boat landing exit. Saw the gravel and though I should stand up, did, took googles off and took another step and went into deep water again, had to breast stroke another 5yards to wade up steps....30 seconds lost there.

I'm ok with it. Suprised that it was a minute slower than last year...
More OWS. I have done any core strength training since april.

Had to readjust my tri top and walked along ways on the pavement before putting shoes on. Had grit on feet. My place in T1 was at the far opposite end of bike exit.

Wish for more room at T1 and have a chair to sit on.

My right calf was crampy the first 4-5 miles. And that was on part of the new course out to the Loop course. So I didn't push it and didn't know the curves in the roadway. Traded places with some skinny old guy for awhile. Finally made the turn and got on the Main Loop of the course. This portion I know, So I was ready for the climbs and false flat areas. Agressive on the down portions and never had problems with shifting or throwing the chain.

Got around to the Lakes area and went fairly fast on the down hill. Than on Dubuque road, cranked it up and passed many on the course doing about 28-30 mph, could really feel the front tire do it's thunk thunk thing on the smooth asphalt (always had me worried it would blow?).

Got through the climb and saw some gals in Tri Jerseys with a bullhorn exhorting the riders. Saw it was Tri-Fusion. Asked one of the hotties if she knew Stan. She screamed back "You bet! I know Stan". You are famous Flyboy.

Got through on the the first loop, and got fluid replacements and started second loop. Saw between 5-9 people with mechanical/tire problems. Still haven't had that misfortune. (KNOCk on wood). Second loop was quiet, didn't have the pros and age groupers passing by this time....Again got great speed on Dubuque road. And then on the one super downhill, I hit the speed of 43 mph and got the FEAR. Bike was going into a shimmy and I had a curve at the bottom before the road went back up the hill. But when I saw 43 and the shimmy happened, had flash of loosing it (FEAR). Got the control back and zoomed up the hill without peddaling, that is how much momentum you can get.

Tried to maintain a event pace on the final 6 or so miles (part of the new course) Thought that I would have a decent or better time....but alas, it wasn't.

Maybe be a litte more agressive after getting warmed up. Had some issues with the male stuff and the seat....

More Biking.

Sat down on the ground and put socks an shoes on ,brushed off grit. Hit porta potty for a quick relief.

First two miles were hard. Transition from biking legs to running is always painful. Plus I had done no Brick Training.

Plan was to run and walk the water stations. Only had walkd twice on the one uphill section for about 100 yards. Pace just wasn't that fast...

Brick training could have help alittle.

Got stuff and let the dogs lick my hands.


Old age and weight.....Lack of core strength training since April. I had a good routine going back in the spring during Marathon season, but stopped when I got into training for this race.

After moping about not getting a Kona Lottery Slot, this sorta became my A Race for triathlons. But the mental umph was not into the training and focus.




I didn't like how they changed the location of the bike water station.
Expo is pathetic. Glad they forced me to attend the mandatory briefing and to find out that primo parking was limited and cost $10.

Would like to see more cycle cops driving the course with bikes. Keep the local asswipes from being aggressive in their driving and passing of racers.