Minneman Tri report

All I can do is start out this post with what a "great day to do a tri" and sorry for the delay.



The day started out at the time when all days started out for triathletes - 4:00 AM. Had to do a manditory vacation with the in-laws at the cabin in Wisconsin but was still able to convince my wife to do the race, which ment that I had to drag her out of bed and watch her sleep all the way to the race, which was a good 1.5 hour drive (long then I will actually be racing). Oh and I decided to break my chain in two the day before, with no bike shop with in 80 miles. So a call into the bike shop supporting the race was done.



The swim started out just like any other swim at Minniman, walking in the water for about 50 yards till you are atleast waist deep, then we start. I decided after a good swim at Minnetonka to try starting in the front of the pack. (yes, just got a new wet suit, which I should have done years ago). The start was sounded and I started out with a bang. When I was approaching the turn around, I knew I was going fast, but when I looked up there was no-one really around me, so I just keep swimming right along. Towards the end of the swim, you stand up and have to run the same 50 yeards in knee deep water to the exit of the swim. When I stood up, all I saw was one swimmer in front of me about 30 sec., then two more guys popped up right next to me. I had to look behind me for a second, because all I thought of was what the hell just happened. As I ran the 200 yds into the trainsition zone, my fears where realized when I was in second place for my flight coming into T1, which I was moved back into fourth after mounting the bike. All I can think of is what the hell am I doing up hear?



The bike went fine and dandy with a good split and having me holding third in my age group. Going into the run for the first 400 yds all I wanted to do was throw up but I fought that back and then at about mile .8, someone jumped out fo the bushes and stabbed me in the ribs. I had the worst side stitch I have ever had and slowed down to a crawl. Little did I know, the fourth place guy passed me just then and over took my third place. I fought throw the side stitch and kept going. At the turn around I was finally feeling good and turned the pace on, but was never able to over take anyone, and ended up 4th in my age group. Which for me is the best tri accomplishment that I have made in a long time, plus I knocked off 4 min on my time from last year.



Next Up LTF tri. Going for top 100 in my age group. By the way that is 30-34.