Chalk it up!

Well, there it is. First Place Overall in the Super Sprint Splash, Pedal and Gasp Triathlon!

The morning started off rough. Rexy was moving around all night and Leslie and I both had really crappy sleeps before the alarm went off at 6:30am. I was tired.

We got to the University and met up with Lisa and Darryl right away, picked up our race packages, got body marked, and set up transition. Pre race meeting at 8:15am. Then Leslie, Darryl and Julie (another tri buff that we know) were off to warm up before the Olympic distance start at 9am.

They were off. Then Lisa and I waited. And waited. My race didn't start until 11am which took forever to get to, especially since we were up at 6:30 am. At 10:35 am I got in the pool and did a good 300m warm up for my 200 m swim!

Here is the good stuff:

Swim

The goal this year was to stay around 3.45s. There were 12 people jammed into our tiny little lane and we started on 5 second intervals until all 12 people had begun. I was the 4th one to start, but luckily, the 3rd person ahead of me didn't show up! That meant that there was a 10 second gap between me and the person ahead! Perfect! I didn't have to worry about passing at all!

The swim started fast but I felt great! Before I knew it I had made it 100m without a problem and nobody had passed me! On the second 100m I felt a girl drafting off my feet as she would tickle my feet every 25m but wouldn't pass. I finished and threw myself out of the pool, running on my way to the first transition.

Swim results last year: 6m 25s, 69/79 overall

Swim results this year: 3m 38s, 12/77 overall

Transition 1
WOW! Did I ever fly through transition or what! I wore a tri top in the pool so I wouldn't have to put a top on when I got out, and I am glad I did. I bet my transition time was was maybe 1 minute. Socks, shoes with bungee laces, helmet, race belt, bike. I took a couple seconds getting my feet into the cage pedals at the start line but other than that, flawless!

Bike

I got on the bike and started to spin right away. I passed one guy right off the start, and passed 3 or 4 more within the first km. I kept looking ahead but couldn't see anyone. Hmmm. As it turns out, all the other 12 people who got out of the pool ahead of me, I passed in transition. Within the first km I was in first place with the second place guy about 10 seconds behind! As soon as we got out of the University grounds I dropped into aero and started to push the pedals. By the turn around point I was about 2 minutes ahead of the second place guy. I was flying! I stayed in aero pretty much the whole time, and in my biggest gear pedalled the whole way back!

It was different being at the front of a race. Everyone would stare at me from the other side of the highway as I rode back. What was more interesting is that all the police and volunteers almost looked surprised to see me coming. I guess I'm just not used to it since there are usually more people ahead of me when I run! Anyway, I made it back alive, no flat tires, and my legs felt pretty good!

Bike time last year: 40m 3 s, 9/76 overall
Bike time this year: 31m 5 s, 1/77 overall

Transition 2
Another fast transition. I racked my bike, took off my helmet, grabbed my visor and took off. Maybe at the most 30 seconds.

Run
It took a good while to get my breathing under control once I got off the bike. The course runs strait down a GIANT, steep, gravelly, uneven hill, to a turn a round and then back up. I tried to control a little bit down the hill but still kept my foot on the gas a little bit. At the bottom there is about 500m before the turnaround, in which I used this to bring down my heart rate a little bit. I passed Leslie here who was on her way back and told here that I was in first as I flew by here with a high five! The turn around came quick and back I started. I passed the second place guy about 2 minutes after the turn around. I had a comfortable lead!

Then there was the hill. Here is what I thought. Run as far up as you can, but DON'T be afraid to walk a little. I would rather walk a little and be able to sprint to the finish line if I have to, rather than fight and use up all my energy on this giant monster. I didn't walk too much, and made it up while I checked over my shoulder about ever 15 seconds to make sure he wasn't gaining on me. I couldn't see him at all, good sign! Just a 300m jog to the finish and my first ever overall win!

Run time last year: 17m 42s, 8/76 overall
Run time this year: 15m 53s, 2/77 overall

Sure enough I was the first person to cross the line! I had to wait and see because they adjusted the final times based on that staggered swim starts, but I was sure I had it!

Last year Results: 1h 04m 10s, 4/6 age group, 15/76 overall
This year Results: 50m 37s, 1/6 age group, 1/77 overall

I told Greg last June that I wanted to win this race this year and he told me yes. I went from not being able to swim 50m, never biking, and casually running, to winning a triathlon! I took off 13 minutes and 23 seconds off of my last year's time! That is a 1/4 of the whole race! It's amazing what happens when you commit to something!

I did end up getting all three of my goals for this year. First overall, first in age group and a medal! I actually even got a brand new $100 Timex Ironman watch for being the overall winner!

I don't want to spoil everyone's news either but we all had great races. Leslie set a new PB by 15 minutes in the Olympic distance and took home a 3rd place in her age category medal. Julie finished 2nd overall for females in the Olympic distance and also second in her age category with a 15 minute PB as well. Darryl got caught in a traffic jam in his lane in the pool but had a strong bike for a 6th place finish out of 19 in his age category and 11/82 overall finish!

Here are some pictures before the race. Our camera died so Darryl has some on his phone of after so I'll post those when I get them!

I'm out!

Grizzly G.