year 5!
In 2013, this was my 1st Tri ever. It is an event that will always hold significance to me, and, will be a staple on my race calendar.
I went into this year's event feeling better about swimming, faster (potentially) on the bike due to bike upgrade, and, ok about the run. However, I'm about 10 pounds over my ideal race weight and my diet has been shit for the past few months.
I knew that FWTRI and TSS would be well represented, and, Lindsi would be competing in her 1st TRI!
I was up a little before 4 with no alarm. Plenty of time for breakfast and prep. Out the door by 5ish and no problems checking in, etc.
I'd registered with a 5:42 swim time, which put me at #103. After asking around a bit, I determined that I needed to move up in the swim line. I would swim just behind Draper, at #92. We were spaced well, and I felt good for the 1st several lengths. I checked the watch at 75M and was at 1:24. perfect. All was good until about 175M, when, for whatecer reason, we got jammed behind several people. The walking began. The swim has not been that congested for me since year 1. I walked the last 125M and actually shed my goggles and cap with 25M to go, as, it was clear that the swimming was over. Total time : 6:47. (2013: 7:12, 2014: 7:39, 2015: 7:09, 2016: 6:39). Slow and frustrating.
I ran into T1 and had a fairly good transition at 2:10.
I was eager to see what the new bike would do on this course. The course had changed slightly due to construction, and, would be a bit longer, but, also had the potential to be really fast. The route took us out on Burnett to Belknap - Belknap to Forest Park, the typical 2 loops Mayors Course, with a return on Forest Park, Weatherford, Burnett. A little over 15 miles. As expected, the 1st couple of miles were fast. I booked 21 mph and 21.2 mph on those two. Things slowed as we climbed Forest Park and Park Hill: 15.9mph and 18.1 mph. Then, stupid fast down University at 23.7 mph. I was steady through the 2 loops, stayed aero much of the time, and, paced at 18.5 mph per Strava. That will improve as I increase my saddle time. Overall, while not one of the "fast guys", I felt good about my bike leg. (2017: 18.5 mph, 2016: 17.6 mph, 2015: 18.0 mph, 2014: 16.9 mph, 2013: 18.9 mph)
T2: uneventful, but, a decent 1:47.
As I headed out for the run, I felt decent, and, wanted to keep my splits in the 8's if possible. There was a great FWTRI presence on The Taylor Street Hill, and I felt strong on the way to the turnaround. I got the obligatory ass smack from Jello as she passed me, and saw lots of racing buddies. Atta-boys and high fives were abundant. I'd slowed a bit, and booked 8:52, 9:29 for the 1st 2 miles. As I made the turn and checked my Garmin, I realized that the run would be short. It seemed that the turn around was not far enough out on the trail. I made my way back to the hill, walked briefly, and then tried to finish strong with encouragement form FWTRI. As I crested the hill, I tired to push a bit towards the finish. Strava shows me at 2.6 miles at a 9:18 pace. not terrible. (2017: 9:18 pace, 2016: 10:06 pace, 2015: 9:16 pace, 2014: 9:58 pace, 2013: 10:07 pace)
I rounded the corner and booked an overall time of 1:24:36. Only good for 9th out of 18 in my AG, but, I'm not unhappy with the day. That said, I can improve in all areas.
2013: 1:31:26
2014: 1:28:502015: 1:23:05
2016: 1:30:49
2017: 1:24:36
I was able to watch Lindsi get off the bike and get thru T2. I ran with her to Taylor Street Hill and let her go from there. I was able to see her finish. She killed it! So proud of her for conquering this new challenge.
FWTRI and TSS was well represented on the podium, with Sheila, Lexy, Remi, Alex, Lindsi, and many others taking home hardware. Good Stuff!
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