SDIT

A couple weeks ago was the San Diego International triathlon. It consists of a 1km swim, a 30km bike and 10km run. In my book, I call this a short race. However, it’s local and nice course so always worth a race. Not to mention, it helps to break-up the training and racing a just fun.
The pre-race was great. I got to the race early, had a great warm-up and managed to talk to a few friends I hadn’t seen in a while. Many of my friends were racing elite but I chose to stay back with the masses and get some work in moving through other age-groups. That and knowing Chris Foster and Luke Bell would destroy me in the elites.
The gun went off for the swim and I managed to get out cleanly. I was just about to latch onto another competitor when I was pushed off his feet. Then gapped off by the other athlete. I hate when that happens. If you are going to take my tour guide please stay with them. So I spent most of the swim solo and managed to come out in 13 min 11 secs and judging by the bikes in the rack fairly close to the front..
After a smooth transition, I headed out on the bike. My hear rate and power were close to where I wanted them to be, so I settled down into a good pace. When you go off in the 4th wave, you have a lot people ahead and I was moving through without too many problems. With a couple loops up top, I managed to see a few of the elite racers I knew but somehow didn’t see any of the age-groupers I knew were racing. The bike went well, except for this strange feeling on the way down to T2. I was going down this hill in a gap in the competitors so I was all alone. I hate that because I start to wonder if I took a wrong turn or should have done another lap. I did everything OK and came off in 46 min and 21 sec.
Coming off my bike I saw 4 bikes in the rack so I knew I had run hard to get everyone. I headed out on a flat fast loop and felt really relaxed. It was my first run in my new Brooks racing flats and they felt great. I love the feel of racing flats! I ran strong for the 1st 5k and then the plan was to take off after that. I passed my first age-grouper at mile 1.5 and by the turn a little later had a huge gap on him. I didn’t see any one else until mile 3 when I caught Pablo. He said, “It’s about time” but I didn’t recognize him until I saw him after the race. Pablo is looking fit. I then pushed hard thinking there was someone else up the road. Last year, I ran with 10 sec of the guy who won my age-group and I didn’t want that to happen this year. The only down part was a 19 year old who I passed in the last half mile decided to kick like made and beat me to the line. No worries mate. I was 10 min up. I finished in 34 min flat. I was very happy with my run.
I ended-up winning my age-group in 1 hr 36 min and 6 sec. I was the fastest non-elite---first sand bagging age-grouper. I was 9th overall and only 20 sec behind Patrick. I good day for me. You never can complain when you win! Now it’s time for some training and Vineman.