It was as predicted in Boulder this day - hot, sunny, and brutal for anyone who doesn't have ice in their veins (literally, not figuratively). I have been fortunate this year to have a fantastic sponsor in TriSports.com and have some performances to put up in order to prove my elite team status. Due to my pre-Boston injury I had been able to swim with more frequency and relative comfort. The race started well, as I kept my line on the edge of the buoys for the first 1200 meters or so. After the last 90 degree turn as we began to catch waves of swimmers who began in front of us, my focus wavered and I began to go a little too wide too often most likely pushing my finish time back a minute or two as a result of no ones fault but my own. Fortunately, with my increased training time in the water, I had my fastest swim in years for the distance and actually feel like I have much room to improve this season. Swim was a success!
This day was also my debut on my Quintana Roo PRsix despite only a couple rides to break it in that week. I found it comfortable enough by adjusting its height and reach close to my old road bikes specs and decided to race the more aero bike. The ability to adjust the QR is easy for a bike that is fast, light, and responsive which makes it the best decision I could have made for my first tri bike (have to thank TriSports again for that one and their help picking it out!). I was well on my way to a 56 mile bike PR when a thumping sound began in the back wheel as I neared T2. Soon, as the handling disappeared and I saved multiple fishtails from becoming full on crashes, I had to sit up and ride on a flat at mile 52. So close to the finish I decided to ride it out instead of change the tube, and I received a stroke of luck, the course was nearly 2 miles short and I only needed to struggle in for a few minutes and took a very careful dismount. Despite the late bad luck I was still well on PR pace for the distance when I dismounted. Bike was a success!
Despite the late bike stress, I transitioned in T2 with optimism for a new 70.3 PR, for I only needed a mediocre run in terms of history to take care of business. I was aware of the short bike course but figured a huge PR would nearly nullify that discrepancy. It was rough, and I mean rough, from the first step to the last. Despite have relatively retained some speed, the distance and time out that day was not friendly to an out of shape athlete when you combined the sun and heat. The simple sugar of red bull and coke took me from bonk to mediocrity in countless cycles throughout the run as I couldn't stomach the 90 degree gatorade and water was running through me. Luckily, I believe my pancreas survived and that I did not acquire diabetes that day. Run was a terrible fail and no PR was had this day. Hopefully it will help me regain some fitness needed for my big races occurring later this year.
Special thank you to TriSports.com for all of the help with my gear and new kit! If any fellow triathletes out there need a little something I am happy to send you 20% off coupon codes for most products on the site (including all the great nutrition which kept me relatively going that day).
Cheers to you all. Happy Training and Racing!
