Phoenix Triathlon

2k swim - 20 mile bike - 8k run = Phoenix Triathlon...long swim, GREAT :-) But hey, you can only get better at something if you keep trying, right? Week number 5 of racing rolled around and I have to say that the nervouseness was way less then at the first race of the season...actually it felt a little bit like "just" going out for a swim/bike/run.

Pam and I arrived at the race with plenty of time to set up our transition. It was crazy windy out there (the picture doesn't do the real conditions justice!!!). We started the swim and I saw one guy turn around after only 100 m. I like waves, so to me it was fun. It makes me forget about my fish fear and helps me think I am on the beach body surfing :-)

I made a bad goggle decision and had to stop 3 times to clear my goggles...Lesson learned. I got out of the watre in 4th and I have to say this was the most fun I have ever had swimming in open water. I love waves!!!

On the bike it was a lot of up and down and up and down. No highlights, except for a dead donkey on the side of the road :-( Poor donkey. I passed the girls in front of me and just settled in a good pace. It is always fun to race at Lake Pleasant, the course is very hilly which makes it a good workout.

Onto the run: I had 5 guys in front of me starting the run. I wasn't planning on going after them, instead just racing my own race. At mile one I passed 2 guys and I was in 4th place in the mens :-)

The run was VERY hilly and walking the course would have been NICE :-)

At the finish with Nick.

Pam and I after the race.

The FLAGSTAFF crew. Sad, but I am now considered a Phoenician...It was great to see Chris and Ryan at the race!!!

My DURAPULSE crew.

Successful day at the race.

The rest of the day was full of fun, non triathlony things. Shopping, good food and a match of tennis. Pam and I got our butts kicked by Mr. Tennis. It was him vs us...we held him off for a while before he used his tennis tricks to show us how it is done. It was so much fun. I am still sore from playing (three days after) :-)

Sunday we went to Tucson for the Old Pueblo Criterium. My race was 50 min. We all stand at the start line when I realize...aehhh...my rear brake just fell off. That might be a problem. As they were doing call ups (yes about 1 min from race start) I tried to find a tool to fix it. Luckily I was successfull. The race was very uneventful. I had no legs to try to get away, I was very tired from training and racing (the 3 hr workout the day before the triathlon might have been helpful with that). I just held on and tried not to hit the pavement (cyclists are kind of mean...I had a few close calls, but thankfully I was able to rescue myself). I ended up 7th in the field sprint, 8th overall and I was seriousely just happy to finish. I love crits: I love the speed and the corners and the attacks. Hopefully I can do one soon with fresh legs.

Next weekend is a weekend off racing but with a lot of training. It will be fun and help me get ready for Duathlon Nationals coming up soon.