The Encinitas Sprint Triathlon is a great race for several of reasons, its organized, has a great location, and for some reason the waves seem to be decently sized come race day. I felt rested and strong and was ready to capture my first win of the year. This picture of the always fun pre-swim watch check before the horn goes off, evidently I never did hit the start button, I think I was a bit excited!So the horn blew and I was in first place going into the 1/4 mile buoy, rounded the turn and feeling strong, (I have to remember that each of my top swim results always follow a good speed swim workout the night before the race, metal note, noted!) so I was on my way back into the "lineup" as we call it when we are surfing, and I looked back to see if I could catch a wave in. Only I was to far on the inside when a nice 4 foot wave came and broke right behind me, not good. If you surf or have ever tried you know that there is one place you don't want to be regardless if your paddling out or into a wave, and I was there! Only this was worse, because by the time I saw the wave it was to late to catch it, and to late to get out of its way, so I just did what all good surfers do, relaxed, held my breath, and waited for my well deserved body slam. After I came up now without my swim cap and goggles and looking for my next breath and wave to take that vary breath away again, I realized that I could almost stand so with one more wave to the head and a short burst of energy I body surfed in finishing the swim in 4th place.
On to the bike leg with busted tri bars? I was half way through my bike leg picking up two spots when I realized that every time I hit a small dip in the road my bars would drop, really not good! Carbon tri bars are not meant to be tightened down really tight because it compacts the carbon forcing them to break, but if they are loose and move, you can go down pretty quick, regardless I had a pretty strong bike leg which put me in 3rd going into the run.
On to the bike leg with busted tri bars? I was half way through my bike leg picking up two spots when I realized that every time I hit a small dip in the road my bars would drop, really not good! Carbon tri bars are not meant to be tightened down really tight because it compacts the carbon forcing them to break, but if they are loose and move, you can go down pretty quick, regardless I had a pretty strong bike leg which put me in 3rd going into the run.
And then there was the run...........
1 comments:
Matt,
Congrats on your 3rd 3rd of the season!! I'm glad I wasn't out there competing against you, otherwise, you would've suspected I was trying to sabotage your race by loosening up your aero bars!
Peace.
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