Blalock Lakes Sprint Tri

Another racing opportunity! I have grown to love sandwiching a few sprints into the race calendar. Despite how much they hurt, it is good to test your training...or lack of training. Since Rev3, I haven't really trained like normal. I took off a solid two weeks and spent the past two easing back into 8-10 hour weeks. I have only trained with any intensity 2-3x. I am keeping everything around z2. So I didn't really know what to expect this weekend. I was also battling a cold so my body was especially achy.

I left the house with Dan at 5:30 to make the hour drive south. One of the things I love about TTP races is the 8 am starts. It just makes the morning easier on the body. I arrived in plenty of time to check-in and set up. I even had time to take the bike for a 10 minute spin.

Swim: 600m-11:02

After getting mauled at John Tanner, I seeded myself behind the lead pack. And it worked well as I didn't get trampled. I felt really good and smooth the first 200m. I rounded the buoy and tried to maintain my pace and form. I could tell that I wasn't killing myself but maintained an aggressive pace.

One of the things I am learning is that I keep getting strung out in no man's land...even if it is just for a few minutes. I am not fast enough to hang onto the back of the fast group. I am faster than the group behind me. The swim is often lonely. I finally found feet for the final 100m and used them.

It was a slow swim for everyone. I was nearly a minute slower than John Tanner. Maybe it was the lack of wetsuit. Maybe it was the non-aggressive pace. Not sure but I was generally happy.

T1: 43s
One of my goals for this race was to focus on transitions. I feel I have gotten sloppy. I need to get in and out without giving up time. I made one minor mistake but felt like I was moving.

Bike: 14.9 miles (39:32)

For a sprint race, this was a longer bike. Naturally this played into my advantage. I wanted to push hard and open up a sizable lead so that I wouldn't get mowed down on the run.

The course was rolling and a bit tough. The hills weren't crazy but they kept you honest and constantly shifting. I hit the road with 3-4 other guys and played leap frog for the first few miles. No one wanted to budge. I finally made a move and hoped to break up the pack but most of them just grabbed a wheel. I refused to play that game so I backed off and focused on getting my HR under control. I proceeded to watch 3 guys draft all the way until mile 10. grrr.

On the second half of the course, I picked it up a bit more. I was pushing the pace but not quite to the uncomfortable part. I was quickly picking off people left and right. Finally, I kicked it in the last 3 miles. I could tell some people were dragging and I had some extra energy so it was time to make my move. And it worked really well. I didn't see anyone for a while.

T2: 31s

I fumbled with my shoes but otherwise had no issue.

Run: 3.1 miles 22:50

My body was really tight coming out of transition. I knew this run was going to be brutal. I found a nice stride and started moving. I tried my best to focus on just running and figuring it out. Lucky for me, my plan worked. I didn't get mowed down. I would say about 5 guys caught me. And I actually caught 2 guys.

I ran right behind one of the drafters and I was determined to beat him. I pushed a few times but the body only had so much to give. The run was rolling terrain. And each hill hurt that much more. I was never able to catch the guy. However, I did run very consistent splits which made me VERY happy.

Total time: 1:14:44