Race morning started just like any other: 4:30am "wakeup" after getting ZERO sleep. AARRRGHHHH - My body needs to learn how to sleep before a race! Damn you body! Despite feeling like garbage, I get on the road by 5:10 to make it to the race by 6. Transition setup was pretty standard, but one major difference with this race was I actually did a warmup jog. After Cal Poly a few months ago, I figured out the best way to ward off a chilly morning is to sweat a little. And with 15min will party-time, I was nice and warm and good to go.
Swim: 18:23 - 2nd AG
Not sure how I managed 2nd in the 25-29 dudes. I honestly felt like I had a pretty slow swim. Why slow? Good question... It was, in my opinion, a really easy swim. The buoys were easy to spot, and I wasn't ever duking it out with anyone. I actually had clear water as far as I could see - it was great! I LOVE swims with nothing but glass ahead of me. I was convinced I was swimming straight, but according to my watch, I ended up going .84 miles instead of .75. Bummer!
Bike: 45:26 - 5th AG
Out on the bike, things got a little lonely. As far as I could see in front of me and behind me, I saw no one. Curses starting in the first wave and swimming moderately fast! Out of transition, I started doing work. I have absolutely no basis for this, but I felt like I should be able to manage 270-280w. So that was my game plan: Keep avg power in that range and get it done. Around mile 4.5, I had a little incident where some busted up roads caused me to eject my only water bottle. "Uh oh, I had better pick that up," I thought, so I did. It cost me about 15 seconds, and at the time, it didn't seem like a huge deal. The only guy that ended up passing me on the bike was the eventual winner - some dude with a MONSTER 39min bike split.
Run: 31:39 - 2nd AG
T2 was blazing fast. 36 seconds to be exact. My Zoot shoes are totally ballin'! Out of transition, I NEVER know how to run. Three years of triathlons, and my sense of pace is all kind of messed up. I thought I was doing 6:30's, but my first mile clicks off at 6:16! Too fast? Maybe, but I'm riding this out for all it's worth! Five flat miles is cookies compared to what I usually do. Sadly, same story on the run: No one in site. :( I'd have to wait a bit until the turn-around to see where I stood.
At the halfway point on the run, I counted five dudes. I knew three were pro/elite which meant that I was most likely in 3rd. Crap - if I get passed I miss the podium! Instead of an easy cruise home, I had to pick it up...or at least maintain. About a minute back was a guy that looked like he was kicking ass. No idea what age group he was in, but I was running scared! I ended up crossing the line without the need for a sprint finish.
Finishing second in my age group was pretty awesome. This was the first time I "podiumed" in a triathlon. Granted, I don't feel like it was super competitive, but it still feels good. And the Petite Sirah that I won...that's going to feel even better. :)
A few shout-outs before I sign off here:
- My friend Dirk was visiting from Malaysia, and instead of being heavily jet lagged, he decided to race a triathlon - badass!
- Work dudes: Always fun to have active people to train with at work.
- Dave B: Congrats on your first triathlon! You killed the run! Great to see you out there buddy.
- Olivia: Congrats on the overall women's win!
Results: http://usa-productions.racemine.com/USA-Productions/events/2013/Morgan-Hill-Sprint-Triathlon---22nd-Annual/results?embed=1
Picture cred: http://captivatingsportsphotos.net/ Sorry for borrowing your proofs!
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