HyVee - Race Day!!

Sunday Michelle and I got up and were gone around 4:30 to make our way over to Gray's lake. I made my way into transition and started setting up my stuff and I heard this strange sound off in the distance...it sounded like the race director...but it couldn't be the race director cause this guy just said the temperature of the lake dropped 10 degrees and we're now wetsuit legal...but wait, they had sent out numerous emails saying this race wouldn't be...but they were wrong!! Mother nature had come through in a big way and the lake temperature was 74 degrees!!

Well that changes everything...instead of surviving the swim, now I can push it a little and try and have a nice swim...without worrying about running out of gas and sinking to the bottom. Nothing like revamping the whole strategy right before the race but that is what was rolling through my mind. This race also had a different start than I had ever done...a time trial, 6 at a time running into the water.

So, I lined up behind the start and waited for my wave and the lady called out 1,2,3,4,5 and she points to me 6...so our time trial group was set and we waited until we got to the front of the line and the starter blew the whistle and we are off running toward the water. Run, run, dive and I got into a rhythm right from the start. I was swimming well and making my way around the course and much to my surprise I started passing people along the back side and I never pass anyone in the swim. I round the last buoy and head toward shore and am feeling good. As I reach shore my hand brushes the sand so I pop up and run in and as I do I glance down at my watch to see 32 minutes...3 minutes faster than my best 1500m!! Lets go get on the bike!!

Out of the water and off to the long run around and through transition...to my spot...helmet, glasses, step out of the wetsuit, slide on the shoes and I am off. Hit the bike mount line and clip, clip and away we go. From the car ride the day before I knew this was going to be a ride full of time trialing with a couple of hills at the beginning. Climbed that first set of hills and made it across all of the railroad tracks along the way without trouble. On the flats and the rollers I just kept pushing and felt it in the legs all the way around the course. On the last corner I rolled past a few members of Team Gillespie cheering like crazy and then it was into transition. Pulled my feet out of the shoes and dismounted the bike...maybe not as pretty as the pros but it worked!

After a quick detour, got to my spot on the rack and switched to the run gear and I was off to the Capitol. As I was leaving transition I glanced at my watch again and saw I was still on pace for a PR and knew a good run would get it. At mile one my legs were almost transitioned from bike to run but I was off pace by almost a minute so I straightened up the form and picked up the pace and after a few more Team Gillespie sightings between miles 1 and 3...I was back on pace and picking up time. About mile 4 the run headed into the city and found a few little slopes but nothing too bad after running around KC. Then it was the final turn up a steep hill and through the Hyvee tunnels to the blue turf and the grand stands at the finish line. It was great to hit the turf and make it to the finish...once again glancing down at my watch...and this time to see a new PR!!

Well it has been a great second season of triathlon and oh how far I've come in just a couple of years off the couch. It is hard to imagine that a few years ago I was 70 pounds heavier and got winded walking up three flights of stairs to my office at work...and now I can toe the line at a great event like this and cross 51.50 km in 2:39:04...and who knows maybe next year a lot faster than that!!