Lazy Boy - First Race

Man have I been lazy. Haven't had time to post here and now the new race year has started. Did my first marathon in December and though it didn't go as well as hoped I finishe in 4:20. I felt I could have done under 4 but had a bad day on the road.

Anyway as far as the first race of the season, it was the Iroquois Point Triathlon. High wind gusts in the 20-25 mph range were expected but I think it had calmed down a bit for the race. Others thought differently.

The swim was clockwise from waist deep water with the men starting 5 min. before the women. I positioned myself up front but a little off to the right hoping to catch the feet of one of the faster guys. Worked out pretty good for the sprint off the line but as everyone began to settle into pace I got stuck on the feet of a slower swimmer. Passed him and made the first buoy just ahead of a guy next to me. He was cutting just outside the buoy and I had to bump him further out so I could make the turn. On the way to the second buoy I got rolled by an unexpected wave but didn’t throw me off. My sighting today was spot on and I made a decent time.

Got on the bike and noticed what a lackluster week of training does. My gluts were tight and I never really found my bike legs. Only hit bad headwinds in a couple of spots and my darn speedometer kept crapping out on me. My friend Dave passed me at the turnaround and I paced him for a bit until he dropped me.

T2 went as well as T1 and I got out quickly but I was hurting from the bike. I knew to keep on pushing and my run legs would catch up. They did around the 2nd mile and I found a nice rhythm. Spotted Dave up ahead about 1 mile into the run so I just took my time knowing I’d get him before the line. Around 2.5 miles I was about 10 yd behind him and he took a left turn and peeked back and saw me trying to sneak up. We ran together for the rest of the way until he began to kick. I thought he was going too early because I thought we had further to go. When we came upon a right turn I saw the blue fence for the finisher chute and sprinted trying to get Dave. He beat me by 1 second. Thankfully he’s in another AG.

Finished the race in 1:14:00 and took 2nd in my AG. Dave got 1st in his and my team manager got 1st in his AG as well. My line score was 12:22 (750 yd), 0:53 (T1), 34:39 (13 mi), 0:52 (T2), 25:15 (3.5 mi). Good race, fun day and got another medal for Nikki to show off at school.