Rose City Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I planned to go out slow until the first turn and then gradually add from there. I started to the left and towards the back. I started off really good and felt pretty smooth. Not much contact at all until I hit the first turn. I was right on the bouy and I had to slow down a ton to get around the crowd. After that I started to feel the chop because it was hitting me right in the mouth when I was trying to breath. I looked up one time and saw Brian and new I needed to put my head down and go. After that I swam pretty good. After the last turn I noticed everyone was going really wide and making the course longer than it needed to be. When you swim like me you look for every chance to cut distance. I turned and made a straight line for the exit. This worked out pretty well because I passed several people on this stretch because I didn't have to worry about the crowd.

Learn to bi-lateral breath. This would have been a much better swim if I could have breathed instead of drinking water every other stroke.

They had to change the course this year which added about a 200 yard run to transition. Not to bad and it was kind of cool because you had to run right through the middle of the crowd. I got out of there pretty quickly.

I started out pretty good. The rain and the wind bothered me a little but not too bad. After I got off of the main road and began to hit the hills I slowed a little. I really wanted to have a good run today so I didn't push the hills quite as hard as I should have. I have been playing with my fit a lot lately and I wasn't 100% comfortable so I tried to keep and good effort but not kill myself. About half way through the bike the rain really started coming down. I couldn't see very far in front of me so I just hoped I didn't hit any pot holes. After the turn around I saw Brian. He was having a great bike and could tell he would catch me at the pace I was moving. I tried to pick it up a little on the way back but didn't really gain any real ground here. I hit one hole that I thought I must have popped a tire but no damage so I kept going. Once I hit the flat section again I picked up the pace again. Overall it was a decent bike with the conditions but I should have pushed a little harder. Brian passed me with about 2 miles to go and new it would be tough at this point because he is a much stronger runner than me.

I would have attacked the hills a little more than I did.

I came into transition and saw Brian looking for his rack. I dropped my bike on the rack, put on my shoes and belt and was gone. I looked back and Brian was still getting his shoes on.

I took off pretty hard but felt okay. I hit the one mile mark and I was at a 6:20 pace. I knew I couldn't hold that so I slowed it down a little. Brian caught me and I thought great here we go again. He caught me but couldn't pass me. At one point I told him to go ahead and go. He said "I am but you won't slow down long enough". I thought wow I may actually run with him today. We passed each other several times throughout the run but never got more than a few steps ahead or behind the other. With about 200 yards left to go he took off and I couldn't go with him.

This was the best 5K I have ever ran. I was really pleased with my performance. If I keep my training going I will be able to run with Brian next year.

I stretched and looked for everyone to see how they did.


I have to learn how to push through the pain a little more. Looking back I think I could have pushed the bike and the run a little more if I can learn to forget the pain some.


The race was great. There were plenty of volunteers and everyone was super happy even thought it rained the entire time. I think this race will end up being one of the premier races in this area moving forward.

This was my first race to do for the second time. I beat last years time by 12 minutes. I love it.