Old Colony Triathlon

Old Colony Triathlon today.... Last year I did the run as part of a relay team. Step up time to do the whole thing in preparation for Timberman next month. 1 mile swim, 24 mile bike, and a 6 mile run.

The day started @ 4:00 AM, got up, ate, etc and loaded the car. I was picking up a buddy, Dave, who was racing as well. Went to load the bike, flat front tire. Crap! 3 minute change and off to get Dave. Concerned that I'm running a bit late. Get to Dave's house a few min late, he bails on the race Crap!! I just drove 20 min out of my way and am losing time. Get on the highway and hammer the 2 hours to the race. Park, ride bike to transition check in, get marked, set up, blah, blah. No time for a warm up today. Dick and Rick Hoyt are in the house; can't have a bad day with that sort of inspiration.

Due to the tragic death by heart attack of an athlete in the Cohasset tri several weeks ago the swim course was changed up to 2 loops with a little beach run inbetween the loops.... Looking at the swim prior to the start I was talking to a couple people and we thought the course looked a little short; then we found out it was 2 loops. Now it's looking a little long... There are 4 waves; The Hoyts start us off, followed by elite and clydesdale, then women, and the men are last. It's a good swim despite the beach run, but it's long. I came out of the water in 40:41 which is my 1.2 mile time which seems about right.

T1 is 2:10 and off on the bike. The old colony bike course is 4 loops of 6 (plus a little) miles and is mainly flat with 2 rollers that you can get out of your seat on. I was passed by 3 people on the bike this time; 2 elites and D.Vescio who always does the bike for a comprehensive training systems team. I could not believe how slow his cadence was as he powered by. I passed the 140 pounder that I was going back and forth with at Ashland on lap 2; since the course was flatter he stayed passed for the rest of the bike (but passed me on the run!). Off the bike in 1:06 and change @ 21.8 mph.

T2 is 1:32 and I'm running, which is 1 loop of the bike course in the opposite direction. It was pretty hot and I'm glad that I brought my fuel belt. For the most part I took sips of my water whan I needed it and dumped the water at the aid stations (which there were 4 of this year) over my head in the attempt to keep cool. The run is 58 min and change and I'm done!!

2:50:47 with an average HR of 174 for the race.