Today was a short local race called the GJCC Memorial Triathlon. It is a different race than I normally compete in because it is geared for the very swift, very light guys. But, I thought I would give it a shot anyway. Weather was good and I was feeling better after my few days on the couch with a stomach bug. Headed to the race and got set up quickly and easily (nice racing in your home town). Headed off for the swim and all was good.
The swim started with a time trial start based upon projected swim time. Well, I guess I sold myself a bit short on my projected swim start and I lined up 74th. That upset me a bit as I watched some of the swimmers 20 or 30 spots in front of me. I just knew I was going to be swimming over people and getting jammed on the walls. My 200 yard swim started well. I got on the heels of the guy in front of me about thirty yards in. Rode him into the wall, got a good push and powered by him heading back towards my 100. Made the turn and this guy didn't want anyone passing I guess. He drifted towards the left of the lane and tried to block me, I guess. We played footsie/handsie for about 15 yards before I did what I hate to do and swam over his left side. Got to the wall in front of him and got another good push. Headed into the final 50 and fortunately had another pair of heals to swim in on but this guy was moving at a good clip so no need to push beyond him in the final 50. Got out in 3:11 and headed to transition.
Transition was a bit of a run through the clubhouse and down the stairs into transition. Got to my bike quick, helmet on, bike off the rack and I was off. Then I heard a volunteer yelling "wrong way". Apparently we were supposed to run down the right side of the transition and I was headed down the left. U-turn and I was on my way. Got out and onto the bike and time to start hammering for the 8.8 mile bike. This was a bit of a tough bike because there was no time to get into a rhythm and to get your heart rate down. It was go from the gun and then the hills started. The bike went quick thankfully and I was back in transition in 26 minutes. This is where better communication would have been nice. I came around the corner and headed into t2 and heard someone yell "get off your bike". Now, there wasn't a mount line on the ground (which I asked about) so I wasn't too surprised not to see a dismount line. There was some writing on the ground but in the blur I couldn't read it. I jumped off the bike and then the rest of the crowd yelled "don't get off your bike". I was pretty upset. Assessed the situation and decided to run the last 100 or so yards into transition. No big deal, but a bit annoying.
Headed out on the run and tried not to get pulled into running down the real fast guys and just tried to hit my pace. 2 mile run felt good. Saw some friends on the out and back which made the runner more bearable. Headed into the finish and stopped the watch at 46:20. Good days work. Earned me 1st overall clydesdale, 2nd in my age group and 15th overall. Not to shabby for a days work.
Now time to get refocused for Mach Tenn next Saturday. Busy week of work and other events so training has to find it's time...it will.
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