Fort Carson Sprint Triathlon: 400M Swim (Pool), 11.5 Mile Bike, 3.1 Mile Run

First race of the year and only my second triathlon. Raced it as a C race and really just wanted to practice my transitions and test out my race gear on the bike. Showed up at 0700 for a 0730 start. Transition was packed so they let us set our stuff up on the ground in the parking lot. Worse part was I borrowed a seat/chain stay stand from a buddy only to have the wind pick up and blow my bike over, bending my right brake lever. I was in wave 9 so I didn't get into the pool until 0930, wish I would of thought about that b/c my nutrition was long gone by that time.

Swim: First time in a 50m pool. They quickly abandoned the the wave starts due to time and as one got out, one went in. Swam the first 100 and glanced at my watch, 1:26! Which is the fastest 100m I've swam, shouldn't have looked at my watch b/c now I'm thinking, "You're going too fast dummy!" That and for some reason I'm always paranoid of hitting the ladder on the side of the pool and apparently I subconsciously compensate for it by completely crossing my right arm (I was swimming in the far right lane) across my body so I wouldn't bash my hand on the railing. Didn't even realize it until I looked at the video. Got out of the pool at 6:57 and crossed the mat at 7:04, easily could have gone faster but the damn mental game from seeing that fast 1st 100m screwed me up. Out of T1 in 1:17, probably b/c I run like a nancy with my bike, I really need to figure it out :)

Time: 7:04 - 1:46/100m (9/164)

Bike: The bike course was a few blocks out and then 2 loops around the motor pools on post. It was slightly down hill on one side and obviously uphill on the other with a little headwind going uphill. The worst part about the course was all of the damn turns, 10 total for 11.5 miles. This is where I lost the most time b/c I basically corner like a triathlete, skill #2 to work on. I kept having to remind myself to GO! b/c I'm use to long distance training. Since the waves were all messed up I didn't have anyone to really chase after, but I felt good and just tried to keep the pedal to the metal. First time racing my Zipp 404's and they felt great, a little stiffer than I'm use to but the roads were pretty tore up, it is an Army post after all. I also love my LG Rocket Air, comfortable, good air flow and easy to get on/off. Funniest part of the course was the nice volunteer at the only aid station holding out a styrofoam cup of water. Problem was they placed it right at the fastest spot on the course. I could have used some water but quickly realized that my hand moving at 35MPH trying to grab a small sytrofoam cup would only result in a crushed cup and wet pavement. Got out of T2 in :48, better than T1 b/c I didn't have the short run from the pool, plus I put on socks.

Time: 28:17 - 24.4MPH (3/164)

Run: Felt sluggish on the run for some reason. It was a quick out and back. Stopped at the turn around to take a drink, probably lost :10, but oh well. Crossed the finish line feeling good but a little disappointed in my run, I just couldn't hold the pace I wanted b/c my HR kept shooting up.

Time: 20:04 - 6:28/mile (4/164)

Ended up winning my age group (M25-29) by over 10 minutes and finished 3rd Overall. So in the end it was a good day and a great experience. I got a chance to work through race day logistics and got a nice confirmation that my training is going well. It was also the first time my wife has seen me race so it was nice to show her the pay off from the hours of training. And I ended up with a little hardwear which is a first for me.

Total Time: 57:33 (3/164)

I then topped it all off with my new addiction, Five Guys and a Burger.