I had just finished a quick warm-up when I heard somebody say "10 seconds". I quickly made my way to the front of the wave. Got there just in time to hear "GO!". I started off a bit faster than usual to try to get clear of the mid-pack mess. It didn't really work. Lots of contact before the first buoy. I'm not quite fast enough to get clear of the masses and end up fighting for position. After about 3 mintues I took a quick look up and saw the front pack slowly pulling away. As usual, I was leading the mid-pack. I really need to get a little better in the water so I can make that front pack. Just before the first buoy, I got stuck between 2 other swimmers. These were probably the same guys that I'd been fighting with since the start. I swear one of the took both arms and pushed me out of the way. I got a bit of a laugh out of that.

After the first turn, I had open water. I swam with one other guy most of the way but it was just the two of us. I sighted every so often and could see the lead pack pulling away.

The last turn puts you directly into the sun. I put it in cruise control and finished the last couple hundred yards strong. As soon as I could see the bottom of the lake I stood up and made my way to the bike.

Not much really. Try to avoid so much contact. Tough to do when you stuck between a bunch of swimmers going the same speed.

Good T1. Stayed calm and everything went as planned. X-terra sleeveless is easy to get off.

Nothing.

Jumped on my bike and made my way out of the park. There is a slight uphill out of the park which makes it tough to get in a rythm right away. Once out of the park there is a short fast section where you can get yourself comfortable and start flying. That doesn't last long before the first time up "the hill". At the base of the hill I could see at least 10 people makeing their way up. I started cranking and climbed out of the saddle most of the way. Felt pretty good. Could tell I was going to have a decent bike.

The second hill on Rosstown rd was more of the same. All the fast swimmers watching me ride away from them. :) Things thinned out after this. I could see a few guys a 30s-1m ahead of me and I was slowly reeling them in.

At the start of loop 2, I could see my friend Matt in the distance. He is an awesome swimmer and was out of the water over 2 minutes ahead of me. I knew I was gaining on him. I made up some time on "the hill" and than passed him on the Rosstown rd. hill. I didn't feel quite as fresh on the second loop. That bike course does take something out of you. I think I started to fade a bit on the last few climbs. The final 8K or so felt smooth so I knew I set myself up for a good run if my back cooperated.

LIke I mentioned, I hurt my back on Friday and wasn't even sure if I could do the race. I wasn't too worried about the swim/bike but it's tough to run with a sore back.

I cruised into the park and did my flying dismount. Ready to run.

Nothing.

Not much. Back was sore after dismounting so I didn't take off my helmet until I racked my bike. I normally take it off while running with the bike. Might have cost 3-4 seconds. Meh.

When I was running to my transition spot with the bike, I could tell my back was quite sore. The 30 yard run through transition was tough. I quickly racked my bike and put in my shoes...grabbed my hat and race belt and took off.

Started off at a good pace. Legs felt great but my back was quite stiff. I was hoping it would loosen up quickly. Not much time to loosen up when you have to red-line a 5K. The first mile was a bit painful I have to admit. I don't think the back slowed me more than a few seconds in the first mile but it definately didn't feel great. Most of the run was a very muddy trail run. Lots of rain recently so there were quite a few spots where you had no choice but to run throught the mud. I love these types of runs so I have no complaints.

The back slowly started feeling better and by the end of the first mile it wasn't an issue at all. I kept a nice steady, consistent pace and kept looking ahead for runners. I had no idea how many were in front of me. The duathletes are mixed in so none of the volunteers would have known either. Around the 2.5K mark (as I was coming through the transition area), I saw a runner ahead. Awesome! I have some motivation to run now. I could tell he was running slower than me so I set out to catch him. We went back into the woods for the second half of the run and I quickly closed the gap. I made the pass at about the 2 mile mark just before the only 2 hills on the course. I stomped on the gas as I passed and he had no response. The last mile I felt great. I think I put a minute on him in the last mile.

I cruised into the finish area and saw the family. I felt bad because my girls looked like they wanted to run with me but I just kept trucking to the finish. Crossed the line and was greeted by my girls. What a great feeling...even if it's only a sprint.

Good thing I didn't slow down at the end. I finished first by only 4 seconds. Poor 16 year old kid almost won. In a way, I wish he would have beat me. Probably would have meant more to him. But I'm pretty sure that kid is going to have quite a few more wins than me by the time he's 36.

Nothing. Good run.

Gave the kids some hugs and hung out by the finish line. Chatted with many of the familiar faces that I see at all the local races. James (Tasr) was there volunteering so I talked with him for a while. Met Jason (wabash) and talked for a minute. Mike Hebe was there spectating. Glad he didn't race because he usually beats me. Matt T. and his wife raced and I talked with them for a while. Quite a few others from Southern PA that I've seen around. I really love the local feel of this race and the location. You don't get the big race feel of the WTC events but it really has a good vibe.

After hanging around for a while I went to check out the results. Holy crap...I actually finished 1st. I've finished 2nd a few times but could never seem to win one. 2nd place was only 4 seconds back and the kid was 16 years old. I told Sue (wife) that I sorta wished he would have beat me. Honestly, the only reason I won was because the ususal suspects who beat me didn't show up that day. But hey...a win is a win..right?

I stuck around to get my first place medal. It was actually quite funny. The person announcing the awards forgot to give out the first place medals. All of the age group awards were given out...than it was something like "Oh yeah...sorry...I forgot, the male and female winners were ....." I don't really care though. It was a good day.


Sore back. I don't think it really had that much of an impact though. Just annoying. It definately hurt the next day though.


Good local race with a nice vibe. I would recommend to anybody who likes a small race without all the bells and whistles.