Internal Mono(b)log

Sprint triathlon #2 in the bag.  Very happy with my results.  We had probably near perfect weather for racing: mostly overcast, a little cool, variable breezes/light winds.

Swim

MSC did a time-trial start on the swim, which eliminated the washing-machine start and I really liked it.  Great idea. Once again, started too hot: pacing too fast, not breathing properly = panting, slowing down, breast stroke (grrr!) Once past this, I find my stroke and tempo and the swim just flows past as the water flows past me.  Some of this is pure psychology of the race, some is inexperience and some is not being used to swimming w. other people/passing/etc.  I’ll nail these down over time and the Toronto Triathlon Club OW swim sessions may help with this too.  I started in position 123 (bib number) and finished in position 123.  So while I passed people in the swim, based on my time, I just held my spot.  Ok, I guess, but getting past the poor starts will help me move that ranking up.

Bike

Destroyed the course on the bike.  Average speed of 36km/h, average power of 220W and peak of 572W.  I was passed 3 times on the bike course and lost count of the number of prey that I consumed.   2nd of age-group on the bike, 21st of 249 overall.  Very happy with this.

1/2 way through the bike course the route did a 180 reversal.  I knew this from the pre-ride and from studying the route map.  I planned ahead to take on nutrition at this forced-slowdown.  The nutrition I took in was an “EFS Bomb” (1/2 flask of EFS Shot, 1/2 scoop of EFS Pre-race, remainder water).  The EFS bomb provides aminos, electrolytes, 200 calories of energy, caffeine and a few other stimulants.  I felt this kick in after about 15 minutes, it had me pumped for the last 25% of the bike and completely prepped to start the run.

Run

Felt good coming off the bike into the run.  Pulled my initial pace back pretty hard to find my legs and had a little gastro cramping.  Just ignored the cramps and they passed pretty quickly.  After about 1 km, picked up to about a 6 min/km pace.  At 4km, picked up to about a 5 min/km pace and for the last 1.5km gave it everything I had left (about a 4min/km pace).  Finished 13/23 in age group (mid pack, meh) and 111/249 overall (again mid-pack and again meh).   More bricks, more speed run work.

Met and spoke with John Salt of MSC.  Super-nice guy!  Very concerned with making sure the athletes are safe and have a good day, very open to suggestions and thoughts.  So glad to have met him and look forward to many future events with MSC.

Many thanks to John, the MSC staff and all the amazing volunteers for making the day so much fun.