2019 Cultus Lake Triathlon (Featuring Jennifer Hayden and Stuart Bagnall)

Well the end of my 2019 triathlon season did not end the way I would have liked. My goal for the year was to do 3 half irons and get a PB on each one. Oceanside was a tough course, and even though I did not get a PB, given the day and the course, I was very happy with my times. I was extremely happy with my times in Muncie.  That was a tough tough day, but I pushed through and missed my goal by a mere 43 seconds. But the third race was a different story.

DNS

Which in race lingo is Did Not Start. Work over the summer was pretty brutal. We were working 7 days a week upward of 10-12 hours a day. This left little time for training. I was going to race and just take it easy, but after an email from my coach, we decided it was not worth the potential injury.

4 or 5 years ago the idea of a DNS would have enraged me. But as I've grown as an athlete, I am now on the side on quality over quantity. I am ok with my DNS. It was the smart and right thing to do.

And (most importantly) it gave me the opportunity to cheer on those racing, including my wife and a friend that I introduced to to the sport.

Jennifer was racing the sprint distance (0.75k swim, 20k bike, 5k run). It would be her first official triathlon. Stuart was doing his first half iron distance. After being inspired by me (his words, not mine), he raced a sprint distance then an olympic distance the following year. Stuart and I made a deal that I would get him hooked on triathlon and he would get me hooked on cyclocross. More on that later.

After a dark and rainy drive, Jen, Amy (Stuart's girlfriend), Stuart, and I arrived at Cultus Lake. After getting their race packets, I helped them prep their gear.

Stuart, having already done 2 triathlons went to work setting up his transition area. Luckily, Jen's transition area was close to the fence. This way, I could help her setup.

After they were all setup, we had some time to hide from the rain in the warm car.

Soon it was time to get Stuart ready for the swim.  Here are Stuart's pre-swim thoughts:

"Before the swim I was nervous. I had never swam in open water before last weekend, let alone in a race. About 20 mins before the race start time I was advised to warm up, so I swam a little in the dock area. I was expecting the water to be cold especially at 7:30 AM in early September. Turns out it wasn't that cold. It must of been the wet suit (which I picked up from a friend for $50). I saw everyone starting to gather around the starting area well before we were supposed to be there. My excitement and anxiety was building!!! I decided to join them. I walked through the start timing gate and headed into the water walking over rocks, pebbles and sand....... GAME ON."

Amy, Jen, and I cheered as we watched the half iron distance race start. Amy went off onto the docks to watch Stuart on the swim course while I helped Jen prepare for her swim.

After her warm up, she became very nervous. It was becoming real for her. 

"I was looking forward to the swim being over, but was worried that I wouldn’t make the 30 minute cutoff."

She made her way out into the water and then it was go time.

After Jen was underway, I made my way over to the swim exit and met up with Amy. We cheered on the athletes exiting the water as we waited for Stuart.

Soon after, Stuart came out of the water. He took one look at me and said, "I hate you."

I told him he wouldn't hate me at the end. 

Here are Stuart's thoughts post swim:

"Right After the swim on route to the transition area I was relived that 1/3 of the race was done. Yes the shortest part but the part I was most nervous about. I must admit that I should of trained more in open water with fellow athletes to get used to sighting or swimming next to people. bumping into each other and the CLASSIC feet in my face. I was very luck to only have this encounter at the start before everyone bolted to the first buoy.

I wasn't expecting it to be so draining, when I did the first 400m I was thinking 'WOW, this is going to burn up matches I don't have.' I only trained in a pool, so to only have to swim 25/50/135m to reach the other side and push off really does help. So having to swim the full 2 KM with out stopping was a first. Rookie mistake noted. 

Another thing was swimming in a pool to swimming in open water it is very easy to go off track. Sighting correctly is so important. Thank god it was calm out there otherwise I might of ended up on the other side of the lake.

The swim was over before I knew it to be honest. On the second loop there was a big group in front of me getting further and further away so I thought I was last. I wasn't, it was all in my head. All I kept thinking was don't blow up just stay steady. It also didn't help that on my first lap I swam a little off course due to lack of sighting. I fixed that problem by letting someone else pass me and stuck to their feet so they spotted and I focused on my technique and the race at hand. I did spot a little but found I kept losing speed.

What did I do well? I swam 2 KM in 41 Minuets. Take that as you will but I am happy with that for my first time.  I 100% need to work on more open water swimming in and out of a wet suit. Sighting and distance. "

Stuart was now off on the bike.

"The bike is my favorite part of the Tri events. It was raining, windy, and cold so I wasn't overly keen on doing 90 KM but hey I want that medal and bragging rights. Getting out of the swim and to transition I was struggling to get my wet suit off that I ended up just throwing everything on the ground in the rain. What I was most worried about on the bike was slipping out on the corners due to the rain and gravely areas."

Once Stuart was off on the bike, Amy and I went back down to the swim exit to look for Jen. 

I saw someone struggling with their wetsuit as they came out of the water, but didn't think it was Jen. Turns out its was. She had made it well under the cutoff.

"I was SO HAPPY it was over. I was shocked that I actually did it and that I wasn’t the last person out of the water. I was not expecting to panic during the swim. There were a few times where I had trouble breathing and I couldn’t calm myself down. My husband told me that this could happen but I didn’t think it would happen to me. When I rounded the first buoy and saw how far the second one was, I was nervous knowing I was so far away from land. I kept thinking, what if I need help or sink, would anyone notice? My poor husband might keep waiting for me to reach land and I would be at the bottom of the river.

I did my best to keep positive and kept reminding myself that the race will be more enjoyable after the swim. I just gotta get through this first. I definitely need to train in swimming in order to feel more comfortable in the water. I need to learn to regulate my breath during the swim and to breath out of my mouth. Also, I need to learn how to slow down and keep consistent strokes."

I ran up to T1 with Jen and sprinted in the pouring rain to meet her at her transition spot to help her. 

After T1, Jen was off on the bike. 

"I was excited for the bike, especially knowing the swim was over! I like riding my bike and was not too worried because I rode the route the week before, knowing what to expect (how many hills there were)."

After some time waiting in the rain, Amy and I made our way to the Bike In section.  We cheered on other athletes as we waited for Jen.

Jen came through the Bike In section with a big smile on her face. I cheered her on holding a homemade sign, like she had done for me so many times before.

"After the bike, I felt great. I dreaded the hills but I got through them without having to walk. I did go a bit too fast at the beginning of the bike as I got really excited, but after my legs warmed up, I felt better

The bike was exactly what I expected. Well, I wasn’t expecting the downpour of rain. That made me nervous going down the hills at a fast rate, but I did it!

I loved the bike and liked that I was prepared for it. I definitely need to strengthen my legs by going to spin classes to improve going up hills. I felt that I navigated my gears well throughout the bike ride."

I then sprinted, leaping over puddles, to meet Jen back at her transition. For T2, Jen knew what to do and did not need as much help from me.

As she ran out of T2, I ran down to the swim start to meet her on the first part of her run.

"I was surprisingly excited for the run as it was the last third of the race. I just wanted to keep moving forward.

The run was flat which I really liked. Of course I can improve my run. I feel that with more practice, I can cut my run time quite a bit.

After the run, I felt really good. I didn’t feel as tired as I thought I would. I felt like my body was exhausted but my mind wanted me to keep going."

I debated going out onto the run course to see Jen, but knew she only had 1 lap. I wanted to be at the finish for her so I hung out there and waited.

Soon I heard Amy yelling, "Jen! Jen!" My phone was ready and caught the smile on Jen's face as she crossed.

I was so proud of Jen and how hard she hard worked that day.  The weather was less than ideal but she pushed through and had so much to be proud of.

"Mental toughness was extremely important. As someone who didn’t train as much as I should have for this race, I knew that I had to be mentally tough to get through it. My goal was to just finish and not worry about the times. The weather didn’t really bother me surprisingly. I knew the race was going to be tough either way so I just said fuck it, I’ll do the best I can in this situation.

Two weeks ago, I kept thinking how I shouldn’t do the race: that I didn’t train enough and that I wasn’t ready. I was scared to mention this to my husband who had just bought me a brand new wet suit for my race. As we got closer to race day and my husband kept giving me tips and tricks for race day, I realized that I had to do the race, there was no backing out.

The main reason that I signed up for the race was because I wanted to work towards something and to prove that I could do it. I watch my husband at these races as well as so many people of all sizes. Every time I’m spectating I think about how I could do what they are doing. These people are inspiring. They are so brave and are pushing their limits to reach their goals. I always felt that I should prove to myself that I, too, can do it."

After Jen got some food and some warm, dry clothes, she had a well deserved nap in the car.

Soon after, Amy and I made our way back to the Bike In to cheer Stuart as he came in.

"After the bike was done I was reveled. I was cold, wet and tired. I kept to what I knew I could do on a 90 KM bike ride. On my race bike I use a power meter which with my Element Cycling computer I can see speed, power, distance ECT. I knew that If my FTP was 245 I could easily hold 200/220 for three hours which on the flats was around 30/32 KM. So with all that I was hoping to get a sub 3 hr bike ride it was 3:00:57 so close. 

I was cold, wet and tired by the end of the bike. But I was fueled up and still had plenty in the tank for a half marathon.  

I think I managed my food and water intake very well, I had three bananas (one at the start, middle and about 75 KM). I also had some chocolate and peanut butter bars (they were supper soft and edible, a quick slash of water and they are gone).

I guess Aero bars are a thing. I should train with them and use them in a race and see if they make a difference.  Around the 55-75 KM mark when you are alone and the furthest away from dismount line really gets in your head about not getting a flat and staying upright."

Now Stuart was off on his run. I went back to the car and tried to have a nap but could not sleep. I grabbed my umbrella and started walking the run course, cheering on anyone I saw.

Since the half iron run course was basically 3 out and backs, I kept seeing the same runners over and over again. All of them were very appreciative of me being out there.

"Before the run I had to go take a leak. I had been holding it in for a while and just knew that if I started running I would have to go take another swim or something. My thoughts were, I have to do a 21 KM run!!! What the hell man? I have only every ran 15 KM max before. I tried running more but I just ended up going to fast and not managing to make it to a longer distance. Plus....... I get bored and I miss my bike. AND it is 21 KM!! Can I just ride it? It is still raining? Oh not to mention as I started the announcer says we should see the Half Iron man finisher coming through the finish line in 20 mins. I am starting the run and they are finishing? FML! But this is the last leg and I want that Medal!"

"I was not expecting a hill at the beginning. If I had to do that loop 4  times I was of quit right there and then.

Having people cheer for you helps you. when it is raining, it is cold. but everyone is there for the same reason. "You got this", "You are amazing" "You are nearly there" It hits close to home at that point. 

My third lap was my hardest. Cramping, tired, and it was still raining. I just wanted to walk, I was running with another first time half IM and I said to him "I am not stopping until you stop,  and you aren't stopping till I stop.... and we aren't stopping till we get to that finish line" He really did help me through the run."

I saw Stuart a few times before heading to the finish line. By that time, Jen was awake and there to cheer on Stuart as well.

We saw him in the distance and ran to the finish line. Amy went out to run the last bit with him.

Then he was across and his first half iron distance triathlon was in the bag!

"I usually run with a watch to tell me what speed I am doing but I didn't charge it and it was dead when I got to the race. So no info and all I have is how I am feeling and that is it.

I didn't stop running and kept pushing to get to the finish line. 

Running with someone and making a point of running at a conversational pace to get to the finish line helped me at that point in the race. I knew I could go faster but I would of ended up hurting my self and maybe not finish.

At the end about 300 meters from the finish my girlfriend joined me and ran with me. I was so tired the rain had stopped by the point and I had this feeling of accomplishment I felt that I just wanted to shred a tear. I just was so happy I did it. I waited at the end for a fellow Athlete who I had been running with to give him a High 5 and go fuck yeah man we did it. "

Stuart was out in the rain for over 6 hours.  Not only a great physical achievement, but an outstanding mental one given the weather.

"Oh man. I was expecting to get wet during the swim. I got wet in all three legs of the race. The hardest part of the race was around 60-80km into the bike where I was alone, short on food. The wind is a head wind to which I swear it was never a tail wind. I also knew that if I had a flat right there I would of just been so pissed off and beat. Yes I would of fixed the flat but I wouldn't have pushed as hard afterwards. That didn't happen and as soon as I got to the dismount line and heard Amy and Joe cheering I realized YES, you got this and got my fighting spirit back. I also got more food, water, gels, and pushed onward to the run.

It is easy to say it was wet cold and windy Bla Bla Bla..... Everyone who was there that day whether they were competing or not was there going through it all. If they can do it so can I. That is what helped and pushed me to get to the finish line. 

During the swim it was 'I don't want to be last' and 'I want to have people around me when I am swimming.'  On the bike it was 'Stay up right, power through and stay within your limits.' On the run it was talking to Dan, having the cheering squad, and seeing the finish line in sight.

I wanted to do a half iron distance to push my limits. Where are my limits? Can I even do it? Am I a quitter? I wanted to find out.

I love hearing about people who keep pushing for better PB's and seek out new races where they find themselves out of their comfort zone. I want to be like them.

I want to do another Half Iron for sure. I now know what it takes to do one. I know what the distance is now. I also know how it feels when you approach the finish line knowing you just finished a HALF IRON MAN."

Needless to say, both Jen and Stuart had an amazing day. I am so very proud of both of them. They now know what it feels like to push through something challenging and what it feels like when you work so hard for something, achieve it, and have a medal to show for it.

Earlier in this post, I mentioned the deal Stuart and I made. Well Stuart has done a sprint, an olympic, and now a half iron distance triathlon. Time for me to live up to my end of the deal.

A few weeks ago, Stuart invited me to a cyclocross clinic and I went. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing that consist of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount.

Going into the clinic, I felt confident in my bike handling skills, but not to confident about the mounting and dismounting. Turns out, I took to the mounting/dismounting pretty quickly and that I need some work on my bike handling skills. I learned this hard way when I went down pretty hard on a 180 degree turn.

My first cyclocross race is September 28th, 2019. Needless to say there will be a race report on that.

Thanks for taking time to read about Jen and Stuart's experiences on their races. Although I did not race, I still had a great time supporting them and the other athletes.

Work has slowed down and I now have time to start ramping my training back up. Some big things are coming in November, so stay tuned! 

2019 Ironman 70.3 Muncie

After a great start to the 2019 season at Oceanside, I was ready to keep the momentum going. Ironman 70.3 Muncie race would be special for several reasons. First, my goal was for this race was to get a PB (more on my goals later). Second, my wife was coming with me. Third, my parents would be at this race. Everything was stacking up for great race with a lake swim with a flat bike course in my home state.

(photo from ironman.com)

We flew into Indianapolis Thursday morning and headed straight to our Airbnb. After a supply run we drove the bike course. I made mental notes of areas were I could hold back, go hard, and landmarks that would help me break up the monotony of the flat farmland. Right before the first turn around was a little residential area with an American flag in one of the font lawns. 

On the way back to our Airbnb, we stopped off at Ironman Village to get a prepaid parking spot at a house across the street. If you do this race, I highly recommend this. It was $20 (US) and guaranteed you a spot all weekend. Granted there was free parking at the venue, but it was first-come-first-serve.  Plus, it was right across the street from transition and made leaving super easy.

We woke up early Friday for Athlete Check-In and the race briefing. After check-in, we checked out the vendors. We also found out that the swim course was changed. Instead of being a triangle, it was now a skinny rectangle. They did this to reduce the time swimming into the sun. Of course they did this after I bought new polarized goggles specifically for swimming into the sun.

We had some time between check in and the briefing, so I went for a little swim. The water was very warm and I began to ponder using my wetsuit or not. Andrew had said, if given the option, use the wetsuit. But I was afraid of over heating.

At the race briefing, the race director informed us that the race was 'wetsuit optional.'  BUT, if you wore a wetsuit, you would start at the back of the swim start and be ineligible for awards. While in no danger of getting any awards, I did worry about starting in the back.  It would not put me in a good mental place knowing I was that far back. And it would mean more time in the sun later in the day on the bike and run. After a quick chat with Andrew online, we opted for no wetsuit.

After the race briefing, I did my transition recon. I was in a good spot for bike out and run out, but not the best for swim in or bike in. I did however have a great visual landmark to find my row.

Afterwards we drove the run course. It was long, very rolling, and had almost no shade. This would be a challenge. Luckily, there would be aid stations every mile. With the weather predicted to to be 95F with the heat index, hydrating would be essential. Just like the bike course, there was a large American flag just before the turn around.

We went back to the Airbnb for final prep before meeting my parents for dinner. Then it was final prep and a very restless sleep.

Before we get into race day, let's chat about my goals for this race. I knew this course played to my strength on the bike. Monday before the race, I met with Andrew for my race plan meeting. We went over my previous 70.3 races, my training data, and the Muncie course. Andrew and I were very excited and confident I could get a personal best at this race. 

I set 3 goals: Come in under 3 hours on the bike, come in under 3 hours on the bike, and come in under 7 hours overall.  I've done the bike under 3 hours once at Arizona where I also came in under 7 hours (my current PB). I've come under 3 hours on the run at both Tremblant and Oceanside. I felt very confident with all 3 goals.

We got up at 4am to pack up the car and make it to the race by 5:30. We parked and went to setup my transition.

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

After setting up and doing my walk through, we waiting for the warm up swim area to start.

After some stretching and warming up, I went in the lake for a warm up swim. After the warm up, my parents were there. I spoke with them for a bit, but needed to line up and focus.

In the line up, I kept moving back and forth between the 43-46 minute start and the 40-43 minute.  I ended up settling in the 40-43.  

After the usual long wait with a rolling start, it was time to go. I could see Jen and my parents off the left watching me. I acknowledged them, but was focused on my race.

Then, I was in the start chute and my race was underway.

The Swim

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Everyone around me was wading gingerly into the water. I took a few big steps then went right for it.  I looked more bad ass in my head, but after seeing the video (and hearing my dad's commentary), I realized it didn't look as cool as I thought.

The water was very warm and I was glad to not have a wetsuit. I passed quite a few people and soon found myself with lots of room. 

Since the water was super flat, I went with my 5 count sighting pattern. I kept a tight line and was soon approaching the first turn buoy. It was a bit more crowded as we made the turn, but it was easily navigated.

After the first turn, there was a slight pull to the right. I adjusted and was able to swim past those taking a wider line.  

Turn 2 got crowded again and soon we were on the long swim back. There was still a slight pull to the right, but not as bad as before. The course was much more crowded now as people in front of me were slowing.

At one point, it looked like one of the buoys had floated off course. Some swimmers were going far left to go around it, but I knew from the course map this was wrong. I kept going straight.

Soon we were at the last turn. I made the turn and swam to shore. As usual, I swam past all the people wading through waist deep water. I swam all the way in and popped up as close to shore as I could.

There was a long uphill from the swim exit to T1 and I began to run it. I had to stop and resort to a walk as I started to wretch a bit.

As I made it up the hill, I saw Jen. I had asked her to give me my swim and T1 time (since my watch was on bike). She told me my time. It was not great, but not terrible.

I was a bit disappointed. I felt faster, but nothing I could do but keep focused and keep going.

At the top of the hill, I manage a jog. I followed the giant yellow Gatorade to my row and counted the 6 racks to my bike. I put on my helmet, compression calf sleeves (usually under my wetsuit but illegal to wear in a non-wetsuit swim), socks, shoes, sun glasses, bike, and was off.

I stopped for sunscreen the exited T1.

The Bike

As I exited T1, Jen told me my swim time, T1 time, and total time. I must have made a face, because I could hear my dad say, "It's alright. You'll make it up on the bike."

I ran to the mount line, got on my bike and was off.

The first part of the bike course was crowded as we rode out to Highway 35. My power was a bit higher than my target, but it had to be in order not to get a drafting penalty.

I rode past the first photographer and gave him a thumbs up.

I had 2 bottles and my aero bottle filled with 3 hours worth of INFINIT, a gel flask with some HUMA gel for extra calories, and salt pills for the extra heat/humidity. 

I hydrated and then went for some gel. The gel flask must have gotten too hot, because when I opened it, chocolate gel shot out all over my hand. Guess I was going to do the bike with sticky hands.

After some turns, we were out on the main highway and I settled into my power target. It felt like I was working harder than my power indicted, but I remembered that the first part of the bike was a slight uphill.

I was passed by alot of riders out on their second lap. This was good, it meant my second lap would be a bit more open. It was easy to know they were coming because I could hear the sound of their disc wheels.

Even though I had all I needed on board, I still went through the aid stations. At every aid station, I grabbed a water, took a few long swigs, then poured the rest over my back, chest, and legs to help with the heat.

 

Soon, we were at the turn around. I rode over the timing mat and thought about Jen, my parents, and all my teammates tracking me. 

The next part of the course was more downhill and I felt I was able to make up more time.

There was a long stretch of spectators who were all super encouraging.

Soon, I was at the end of the first loop. I made the turn and was out for my second loop.

I continued to maintain my power target and kept up with my hydration/nutrition plan.

As we closed in on the end of the second loop, a bee hit me in the face. The rider behind me saw it and asked if I was ok as he passed. I told him I was fine and it could have been much worse. Soon after, a bee flew right into my helmet. I could feel it buzzing around and frantically shook my helmet to try and get it out. Eventually, the bee flew out. Crisis averted. 

Soon we passed the turn around. With the second loop done, we turned left heading back toward transition.

In my mind, I was almost done, but there was still a long way back to transition. 

During this stretch, we rode up a slightly bigger hill. As I slowed, I could feel the heat on my back and arms. The run will be HOT.

Then, transition was in sight. I rode up to the mount line to the sound of Jen's cheers. I unclipped and made my way into T2. 

I ran into transition, found the giant yellow Gatorade and turned right. I made my way to my spot and racked my bike. I had everything I needed for the run a bag. The plan was to put on my shoes and race number, then grab the bag and run out of T2. I ended up just doing my usual slow and steady transition. 

I stopped to get more sunscreen before heading out on the run.

The Run

The first part of the run course was nothing but rolling hills. I had to walk up some of them to ease into the run after a great bike.

When I ran, I eased into a pace that felt comfortable. I looked at my watch and realized that it was a pace similar to Oceanside. If I kept this up, I would hit my goal.

As we ran along the lake, there was a group of boaters blaring music and cheering us on with a PA system. I knew their encouragement would be needed on the way back.

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

As we approached the first aid station, I remembered my race plan. I had INFINIT on my belt, as well as gels and salt pills. With the heat and humidity now turned up to 11, I made sure to get water at every aid station. My aid station routine consisted of: Grab 2 waters, drink one and pour the other over my head. Grab a cup of ice (or 2), pour half the ice down the front of my trisuit, and and pour the second half down the back. I did this for every aid station. 

I kept my pace up as best I could, only stopping to walk when I ate a gel or went through an aid station. I made sure to run in the shade when the scarcity of shade presented itself.

I saw the big American flag on the right and knew I was almost to the turn-around. The aid station at the turn-around was one of the best aid stations ever. All the volunteers were super encouraging, the music was loud, and we got everything we needed with little to no stopping. As I ran out of the turn-around party, a young boy gave me a fist bump and told me that I was an inspiration. This type of aid station is exactly what you would want at a halfway point.

I was still on track for a sub 3 hour run, but the second half of the run seemed to drain me the closer I got to the finish. The rollers were not big hills, but there were lots of them. In addition, the heat/humidity was in full Indiana blast.

I made it to the last 5k of the race and got a much needed pep talk from another young man at an aid station. I turned left and knew I was getting close. That mile felt so long, and soon I was at the last left turn. I knew I was close, but the closer I got to the finish, the bigger the hills got.

I began to think about how I would feel if I didn't hit my target. I told myself that if I missed my goal, that it would only be by a few minutes. It was a tough day and I would be proud of whatever result I ended up with.

With 2 miles to go, I told myself I would run the rest of the race. Yeah, that did not happen. I ran when I could, but my walk breaks increased. 

I passed the boats and got some much needed encouragement. That got me going until I hit another hill. 

As I walked up what was promised to be the last hill, I saw Jen. I said to the guy next to me, "There's my wife. I guess I should run."

Jen told me I needed to pick it up, but I told her I had very little left. She said I was so close. I thought she meant to the finish, but she meant for my goal time. She was about to tell me my race time, but I didn't want to hear it.

I ran over the hill and sprinted onto the grass into the (very long) finishers chute. I could feel my body tell me to stop, but I was so close, I had to keep going.

Halfway down the finisher chute I saw my mom cheering me on, and as I finished, I could hear my dad. Turns out that the 3 of them knew I was close to my goal and strategically placed themselves to cheer me all the way in.

I crossed the finish line with no pose or reaction. I was too tired. I saw the time on the clock and knew I was close to my goal, but all I wanted to do was get off my feet and out of the sun.

I got my medal, hat, and water. Jen and my dad met me outside the finisher area. Dad gave me a big hug and wanted to talk about the race. I told him it was nothing personal, but I needed some time. He understood.

I found some shade under a tree, sat, and drank my water. When I was ready, I asked Jen for the breakdown of my times. When she got to the overall time, she slowed down. "6 hours, 59 minutes, 35 seconds," At the time I thought it was a PB, but after looking back, I realize that I was off by 43 seconds. 

My swim was not great, but it was non wetsuit swim so I'll take it. I got a new PB on the bike and met my bike goal. The run was HOT with no shade and I did not hit my run goal. But I did hit my overall goal of under 7 hours and only missed a PB by 43 seconds.

All in all, I am still extremely happy with my results. I will continuing to keep up with my training, with a focus on weight loss, running, and transitions. I feel that even with an average run time, if my transitions were a bit faster, I could have hit that 43 seconds.

After the race, we spent several days in Indianapolis visiting with family. All in all, a great little vacation.

Thanks for taking the time to read this race report.  Next race is the Cultus Lake Triathlon (half iron distance) in September. I've done the Olympic distance at this race twice and feel confident I can get a great result here as well.