The race is a sprint distance with a flat and fast course. It starts off with a 400m swim but offers some challenge because it is shaped like a W. In only 400m you have to make full turns around buoys 3 times. The race is started by a self-seeded system and you choose where you start. Athletes are sent off in a time trial format, going 4 at a time every 5 seconds. I chose to go in the third group so I could get some draft off the faster swimmers. The plan worked great as I was able to save some energy in the middle 200m by catching on the back of one of the second groups collegiate level swimmers. With all the turns the swim was a bit slower than I had expected but I was in a good position coming out of the water with a time of 6:19.
There is a little run to the transition area that is very hectic. There were over 1200 participants in the race and we were jammed packed into the racks. Fortunately there was a flag right next to my row so I was able to identify my position easily and got to my gear with no problems. The goggles flew off and the helmet went on, I was off for a the 22k in 1:41.
The bike course is two 11k loops on nicely paved roads. There was a very strong tail wind on the way out that I noticed early and decided to hammer, realizing that it would be a bit tougher on the way back. At the start of the bike I was in third place behind the 2nd fastest swimmer and the fastest swimmer who I passed early. I was soon in 2nd place with the lead motorcycle not far ahead. I realized that it would not be smart to attack the lead all at once so I worked on just improving my pace consistently and trying to knock off some of his lead. Nearing the end of the bike, I was just 20 or 30 seconds down off the leader and I realized that with a good run, I could take him for the win. My bike time was not as fast as I had planned but the wind was strong and it had affected everyone out there. With a time of 33:37 averaging 24.4 mph I was into transition 2.
This transition was flawless and I was on the run course in 0:54.
Now my plan for the run was to stay strong and consistent for the first mile, work the second mile and then suffer for the rest. It is only 5k and there is no time to waste. As I made the turn out onto the run course, the leader took off. For most of the run I could see the lead motorcycle but he was pulling away. His lead was too much and I had to focus on holding my 2nd place as I could see a group of runners charging behind me. The first mile was smooth and I felt good with a time of 6:12. I started to work and came through the 2 mile in 12:17. At this point I had 1 mile to go and I saw that I had distanced myself from the group of runners behind. I had some confidence and my cadence picked up. I put myself in some hurt in the last mile and finished the run in 18:12. One of my fastest 5k's ever, triathlon or road race. I was ecstatic with the run but even more excited to finish 2nd over in a race of 1200 people. In addition I had won my age group. I finished the race with a time of 1:00:42. As you can see in the picture I was pretty stoked to make the podium. My second overall podium finish in three weeks.
I leave for the University of Iowa this week and I am very excited to start the next chapter in my life. I can not wait to meet some new friends and training partners. I will be sure to keep everyone updated with my collegiate triathlon experiences. I am doing the Hy-Vee 5150 national championship on September 4th and then any of the University of Iowa triathlon races that the team needs me to compete in. I really can't wait.
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