Xterra Tri for Real Race Report

This is my detailed race report. Final splits are now posted.

I finished 122 out of 194 starters, and 18 out of 25 in my age group.

14:00 swim (52nd fastest) (0.5 mile) (1:35min/100 yd)
1:19:13 bike (118th fastest) (13 mile) (9.8 mph)
42:22 run (168th fastest) (4 mile) (10.59 min per mile)

2:15:35 total

Not spectacular numbers, but good enough for where I am at with my recovery and training.

Usually the swim is the easiest part for me. I typically can find my pace and settle into a groove fairly quickly. Not this time. I battled the entire time. I swallowed a lot of water from people kicking right next to me, and the water was very choppy. The wind must have been playing havoc with our sense of direction, because I got slammed into multiple times during the entire swim. I would just settle in to a pace and BAM, out of nowhere someone would body slam right into me. Unbelievable. I got so frustrated, that I ended up breaststroking a few times to calm myself down.

I entered T-1 with my toes and hands completely numb. 55 degree water tends to do that. My brother was leaving T-1 as I was getting my feet out of my wetsuit. I yelled some encouraging words, and continued getting ready for the bike.

My heart rate was spiked from my battles and frustration on the swim, so my first lap on the bike was less than stellar. My heart rate was pegged for the first lap. I finally settled down and a had a decent second lap.

T-2 went by quick and I was off on the run. I just cruised the run at my own pace. I knew there were a couple of hills near the halfway point, so I started off conservatively and held a constant pace the whole time. I cramped a little with 1.5 miles to go, but they were gone quickly. I was passed by 2 guys in may age group with a mile to go, but I could not keep up with them. They finished about a minute in front of me.

A very enjoyable race.