Machine Head - West Branch Battle 2 - Olympic Cour - Triathlon

got off to a good start, noticed at the start a strong swimmer from Masters (Sandra) with no wetsuit. Thought I could try and draft her since she hasn't been swimming much. Quickly got out to second about 10 yards behind the leader for the first lap. Sandra caught me at the end of lap one, then I tried to swim on her feet, but she was going crooked. Was able to kind of draft for about half of the second lap. Ended up being third out of the water.

not much, time was a little slower than nationals surprisingly, maybe a little chop or not as much of a draft current from all of the other swimmers in front of me at Nationals

OK transition, was running OK, could see the leader and Sandra in transition area, didn't lose too much time thought it didn't seem fast

not much

riding out of the park after transition, was able to pass Sandra pretty quickly to move up to second, then I saw the leader. I appeared to be gaining on him and finally passed him about 2-3 miles in, so I took the overall lead in the race. I've never led at any point in any race, so I was pretty excited. I knew of some faster guys that were there though. At mile 10 or so there was a switchback across the dam and I was able to see how much ground I had. I had a minute or so. I was able to come into the turnaround at transition in the overall lead which was very cool to start lap 2. The first guy caught me at about mile 15, though I was still riding at 22 MPH, then the second and third guys caught me before mile 20. It took the wind out of my sails a little but was still feeling good to be in 4th after the bike

Not ride 60 miles pretty hard the day before. Other than that, was solid for me, in aero position almost all of the ride.

forgot to stop watch right away so transition was maybe a minute longer

not much, OK, didn't wear glasses, was no race belt required for this race

had to really go to the bathroom after the bike, so when I ran by the bathroom I actually ran off the course and into the bathroom to use the urinal. I felt much more comfortable, but probably added a minute to my time and cost me 3rd overall. The pit stop gave too much space to the guy one place in front of me though by the turn around I could see him maybe 100 yards ahead, I gained ground on him most of the second part of the course but didn't quite have enough energy to catch him at the end.

Run was OK considering I raced last weekend and the bike ride the day before. Took 3 gels overall. Not sure why I had to stop in the bathroom, maybe because of the cool weather that I didn't sweat alot or because I was so late to the course I didn't have a chance to go in my wetsuit before the start.

walked a little


swim was OK, long bike the day before, having to stop and use the bathroom - first time I've had to do that at Olympic distance


Rated this race high though it was very small with 35 participants because it was the first time I've ever had an overall lead, and was able to hold it until past the halfway podium on the bike. Also only a bathroom stop limited me from finishing 3rd overall. The 4th overall is my highest, though it was a very small field. I was also racing tired.