St. Anthony's Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Been doing the race many years, and I have swam in pretty rough waters here. But each time the swim is rough, many swimmers are pulled from the Bay, and occassionally someone loses their life. The race organizers upset a few people by cancelling the swim, but they probably saved lives. It was smart to do, and I respect them for it.

No need to practice if it becomes a du, but who's gonna bet on that?

The start was done in a time-trial fashion, lined up by our bib numbers and running into T-1 single file.

Starting cold on the bike after several hours of waiting was difficult. I didn't really do much for a warm-up, but just started hammering it right out of transition. I think I suffered a little in the middle sections, into a headwind, because my legs felt a little dead from no warm-up. But the course was in good condition. The wind was pretty high, and I felt like I had little tailwind along the way. Riding HED-3 wheels is a little skiddish when the cross winds are gusting from low to high. It moves me about the course more than I'd like, so I spend less time in the areobars than I would otherwise. I was passed and checked by 4-5 officials on motorcycles in the middle of the course, but one wrote me up for my first penalty in more than 10 years of racing. It was for "overtaken", which means I was passed and then didn't exit from the zone fast enough. Guess I was supposed to slow down after getting passed. I rememeber exactly where it happened, as the official pulled next to me and jotted down my number. I thought I was a good 4 lengths back, but I guess he didn't agree. It was a judgement call, and a little picky I thought. I certainly wasn't getting any benefit of a draft - we were in some pretty high cross winds at the time. Oh well. What are you gonna do? Don't get passed, I guess! The course was crowded by the time my group went off, so I was constantly having to avoid slower riders (and faster as well).

All-in-all, I had a good ride. All of my training partners and I each set PRs for our St. Ant ride times, which I'm sure is because there was no swim. But it was fun just the same.

Ease into race pace over the first mile instead of hammering from the start when the heart rate was low from standing around for hours. Also, make sure I'm easily at 4+ lengths after getting passed so it's not such a judgment call.

I was in no hurry in the transitions. Since the race was changed from a tri to a du, I was just enjoying the day and not really racing to make any specific time.

My run training has been nonexistent due to a knee injury. My fitness is good, but I'm not able to train enough outside to have any speed at all. The run here is a great course, through a very nice neighborhood. The first and last mile are hot, without shade, but the middle 4 miles are pretty well shaded. Becasue I was in a later start wave, the water started getting warm toward the end as they ran low on ice. But still, they never ran out for me, and I was able to keep my hat and shoulders wet the whole run.

Train a little more. Maybe not do a half-iron three weeks before this race.

My right knee injury is slowly healing, and with that I should be able to train the run a little more this summer.


Love this race and entire weekend every year. The expo and Saturday races are fantastic. Been here about 8 years straight, and have no plans to miss any time soon.