PrairieMan Half Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The more I think about it the more I realize this was probably one of my best swims ever. The gun went off and I just put my head down and started swimming. It seemed like everyone lined up to my right but I quickly was in front of them. It looked like a few people to my left were pulling away so I pushed just a bit to hang w/ them. They all quickly faded off and I was pretty much solo. I felt unbelievably relaxed for the first part. It seemed like I made it to the first right turn in no time. I rounded the bouy and quickly got in line w/ the bouys coming up. One thing I noticed is that the bouys were reallly easy to see and not too far apart. Soon I was in the middle of the wave in front. I rather easily navigated my way through them by going all the way to the right and just going around them. Had to push through a few people but that was it. Before I knew it I was at the front of that pack. Once they thinned out I looked up and only saw 2 people in front of me. I worked on catching the guy in front of me and did before we came to the final right turn. There were literally no chances for me to draft. I honestly felt so good and fluid that I could have cared less for drafting right then. Everything was very controlled. When I rounded the last bouy I was afraid that the sun would be in my eyes and I wouldnt be able to see but to my suprise I saw just fine and quickly aimed towards the swim exit. About halway down the last stretch I saw two guys coming up on my left. Only thing I could think is that it was the wave behind me catching me! I thought no way... then again it was possible. Turns out it was probably Richard, who I passed in transition. Swam as far as I could until my hands touched sand then I was on my feet and heading up the ramp.

Nothing at all. Had a great swim. Being a relay I probably should have pushed a bit harder but overall I was just trying to stay focused and in control which I did a fantastic job at. My sighting was RIGHT on and I did a good job of navigating the wave in front.

Ran up the carpet and kept an ear out for Scott and Courtney. Heard Scott say something and made my way into T1. As I ran in I looked up and down my rack to see who was gone and who was still there. Richard Freer was the only person actually there and no bikes were missing. Awesome! Beat Richard out of T1 and had a smooth T1. I did forget my sunglasses so that blew but mattered not.

Possibly bring my sunglasses next time. I would have been pissed in an IM if I didnt have my sunglasses!

Again, I was just doing the swim and bike portions so I felt I could really put in a good effort here w/o fear of bonking later. I came out of transition not knowing exactly what spot I was in. Headed out of the park and took a right onto lake ridge. I knew this was a short O&B so I would be able to see the leaders and find out what position I held plus see who was behind me. The leader came around and I had no idea who he was. Turns out he held the lead the entire time and posted a 2:15 bike split :- O. Next was this older UBER fast guy w/ an orange helmet and sunflower disk. Then one more guy I didnt know. I rounded the turn knowing I was in 4th. Behind me was Richard Freer and a few others I didnt know. Richard was the only one I would have to worry about. I crossed the bridge for the first time and really noticed the winds. Not too bad but it was a persistent headwind. Passed the 3rd place guy pretty quick and just focused on catching 2nd place. Took the right turn onto England parkway and Richard comes around me not too much faster. I quickly made the decision to grab onto him and NOT let him go for anything. So I just focused on staying w/ him. He was really holding a solid pace so I was happy to be hanging comfortably. We turned onto 360 and were FLYING w/ the tailwind. Easily pushing 30+mph. Richard later told me he was pushing 320watts. :- o. (whatever that means :).. haha) I passed him twice just to let him know I was there. Everytime he'd jump ahead hed look back to see if he'd dropped me and there I was :) We completed the first loop and headed back into the headwind. I really started to notice here that I had to PEE like seabiscuit. UGH. well... I knew I couldnt go because I HAVE to stand up to go and if I stood up to go for who knows how long Richard would drop me like a bag of rocks. So I just sucked it up and pushed the pace. We took a right turn back onto England parkway and finally passed 2nd place! Whoo. That felt good, but now the bladder was pissed. My stomach was starting to hurt. I focused for a min or two on trying to go while sitting but just couldnt. I passed Richard again then let him take over before getting to that "scetchy" section again. By this time we were constantly passing 1 loopers. Well on this two lane section all the cars were built up behind them. omg I thought. Whats Richard gonna do? He goes RIGHT DOWN the yellow stripe! HA. Shit I thought. He were go. So were flying past cars while on the middle stripe w/ cars coming towards us. This should have been controlled a bit better if you ask me. When we turned back onto 360 and had the tailwind this is when I realized I HAD to pee. So I stand up and go. ***GRAPHIC warning*** haha. It took at least 20seconds to start then I went for at least 2mins. UGH. That felt SO much better but there went Richard. I couldnt even see him anymore and KNEW i wouldnt catch him. I at least made a good effort and really pushed again w/ the tailwind. Probably took my first gel around this time. I take gels every 45mins. So during this race I had one when I got on. One @ 45mins in. 1:30in and 2:15in. Finished my second loop and still hadnt caught Richard. None the less I kept pushing. Finished my 3rd loop solo but passed 250+ people probably. On the fourth loop I saw flashing lights ahead like it was the pace bike. I was gaining on it STUPID fast so all I could think was that first place flatted and Richard bonked. NOPE. It was last place. haha. Man. On the last section we turn around before turning onto England again. This time i'd be able to see who was were again. First place was up by about 2mins on Richard and Richard was about 3mins up on me. I turned around and just cranked. I knew I had a tailwind in the last 2-3miles but it really didnt feel all that significant. Turned into the park and just focused on putting as much space btwn me and 4th place as possible so Scott would have a decent cushion.

Maybe practice peeing sitting in the aero position going 30mph if thats even possible :(

Overall the ride was phenominal. For me I feel that was a breakthrough ride. I was able to use strategy and stick w/ it. Afterwards Richard congratulated me on a good ride and told me I looked really comfortable so that was nice to hear. I wish I wouldnt have had to pee to see if I could have hung on for a 2:17 HIM bike split.

Dismounted the bike, ran over the mat and Scott pulled my chip off as I stood there w/ nothing to do! :) That was awesome. haha. Was very odd racking my bike and walking out of transition!! Wished Scott good luck and I was done.

Nothing. A :26 transition is smokin :D haha

You'll have to read Scotts (Iron Monger) RR for this section :)

Thanks to Scott for running a solid half mary :)

I had some Endurox and chatted to Courtney about my friend Michaels race. Yelled at Scott as he ran by along w/ other friends.


Peeing.


I'm gonna have to be honest. This was one of Jacks poorer races. The overall race was PHENOMINAL. Great aid stations, and having Gatorade endurance on the bike course was amazing.

But the post race SERIOUSLY lacked. I've done/been to this race 4 out of the past 5 years and this was a significant decline.

First off I didnt get an actual race shirt because all they had left were XS and XL. Ester told me I'd get a finisher shirt the next day. Well I didnt. I was told since I did the relay I didnt get a finisher shirt, So I stole/took an Aquabike finisher shirt since I technically did the aquabike. Thought that was BS. The awards were by far the most poor awards they've ever had. The past years they jack has given an event shirt, a finisher shirt, and normally a finisher mug. (plus any age group hardware, which year before last was a NICE glass paperweight in the shape of Texas w/ your place ingraved) This year jack didnt give finisher mugs, instead of put "1st Place or 2nd Place or 3rd Place" above finisher on the mugs and gave those out as awards. SERIOUSLY? Yes.

The cost of putting on a race could NOT have gone up that much since last year.

Jacks races are probably the safest and most well oiled machines around, but it seems post race is going downhill. fast.