2016 Started slow, with a recurring right knee injury limiting my ability to train the run and bike. On the flip side, it gave me a whole new confidence in my swim ability, one that I am putting to good use now. I had never swam 4000 yards before this winter and now I am doing that almost every swim session I do. My birthday in April for instance, I did the (in)famous birthday set, which is technically 100x100. I mixed it up but still swam 10,000 yards. Never thought I would be doing that. Needless to say I have become much more confident with my swim ability and can not wait to put it to the test.
The Chain Of Lakes Triathlon, or COLT for short, is how I have started my season for three years now. The pool swim, short bike and run help me to get working on all cylinders again and making sure I can still do this triathlon thing. This is not a normal sprint race by "sprint standards" but I really dig it. 600 yard swim-13 mile bike-2.8 mile run is a perfect way to get going. Race morning is waking up at my cabin, where it had been suuuuuuuper windy the day before, was relatively calm. The race didn't start until 9 am so I could wake up a little later and take my time driving the 35 miles or so to get to Alexandria. I had Mitch come with me this year, which is always nice to have.
We got to the venue around 7:30 and put my bike on the rack and got marked and ready to go. I have trained on this course so much, that I know it like the back of my hand. The transition area is a bit crammed but we handled it. My parents showed up at about 8:45 so they got there in time. I was in heat 3 for the swim, so I would still have time to waste while the pool was full of swimmers. I got in a quick warm up run and stretched it out. To the race, I got to swim in a lane with two other guys, one said he was going to swim an 8:30 for the time and my good friend Dave was the other swimmer, who said he'd plan on about a 9:30, I was looking to swim about a 9 flat. The dude who said he was an 8:30 swimmer had no goggles, no swim cap, needless to say I wanted to go first. So I did, I bet Dave wishes he had gone second because we both had to pass him multiple times in the lane. We survived and I swam way better than I thought, an 8:25, the mat was about 30 seconds away though so my official swim time was 8:58, still right on plan.
The pool exit was quick and I sprinted to my bike to get out asap. I strugged on getting my race top on. Dave came flying out just as I was finishing. On to the bike I took my gloves, didn't need those, so i shoved them in my back pocket. I ate a GU for some get up and felt like it helped. The bike is simple, a big square with no really sharp turns, so you can technically hold most speed through the turns. I really like the fact that the ride went very well and I felt no issues with my knee. After the first turn, Dave came by and yelled "that guy was so slow!" referring to the pool dude. fast forward to the last climb on the bike and I had always seemed to have to come out of aero to go up it in the past. Not this time, thanks squats! Of the bike with a PR split here and time to run.
T2 was much faster and smoother than T1, thankfully. the legs felt great and I was about 200 yards from transition when I heard a train whistle. OH NO. DO NOT. YUP. IT DID. I got stopped by the train. I stood there for what seemed like an eternity. 5 minutes passed and I could finally resume my now faded pace. All the guys behind me caught up and now it was a straight road race. BOO. They weren't technically right with me, since the times would be changed thanks to Union Pacific. I got back to a pace I felt was sustainable and kept that until the end. My best run at this race was today as well. If i hadn't strugged at T1 with my top, would I have made it past the train? The world may never know.
Finish here is up a hill on grass, which is killer right at the end. That was it, first race of the season done and I got like 10th place right? Ha, nope it was my best finish ever. 2nd AG and 3rd OA. Dave took the top spot and rode 150 miles later that day, Ironman, whataya gonna do? Super happy with how the day went and can not wait until my next race. I have about a month to get ready and go super fast again.
Thanks Mitch for sherpa-ing for me and coming with. Also thanks mom and dad for supporting me again! Dave, beast. My big races are less than 3 months out and I can not wait!
Next race is Buffalo Olympic.
Catch Me If You Can!
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| Big Role Model Right here, Dave Jensen! |
Corey