Rec Plex Triathlon - October 1, 2006

This was by far the best race that I had during the entire 2006 season. My swim wasn't fast by any means but I certainly wasn't tired out by it either, although, truth be told I never am. I started early this race which I usually hate doing since its so cold this time of year but it was sooo much warmer this year. I'm talking shorts and tee shirt weather... yay! But the morning was still slightly cold. Once out of the pool, I definitely felt the chill but it was sunny which I knew would make my time on the bike so much nicer... I had my fastest bike split of the entire year... I felt good and it really showed. I almost averaged 21mph. That was my goal but I always forget that the end is slightly more technical than the rest of the ride and that usually brings averages down a bit....

now for the best part of the entire day! The run? Yeah, the run... I felt amazing. I had my legs. I mean really had them. They not only could move but they could move fast. I started out really quick and tucked in between a guy from St. Louis Triathlon Club which was the best move of the day. The guy was holding a pace that was comfortable but quick and one I knew that I would not be able to hold on my own. I also took a look at his race number and noticed that he had started a couple minutes ahead of me but in reality I was actually a couple of minutes ahead of him if I could stay with him... ah, reminded me of "American Flyer" when David Sommers and the "Cannibal" were racing in Hell of the West, ya know. Anyhow, We ran together the entire run leg although there was never any communication or formal acknowledgement that we were doing this. He led during the flats. I pulled him up the hill in the subdivision parts. He promptly passed me and took the lead again once we were out of the hills... and continued to sprint ahead of me at the finish... I didn't care in the least bit... I was already on cloud nine before I even saw the time clock... and boy, when I saw that clock I thought I was seeing things. That clock had to be wrong... there is no way that I could have finished a full 5 minutes faster than in the spring on the EXACT same course. When the results were posted... it was true. And to top that off, those 5 minutes actually came from the run. I had averaged nearly a full minute faster per mile than the spring version of the race. I had run 6:56 pace for 5 miles!

And I finished 3rd... that's right no longer the 4th place loser that I had come to know so well this season. I got 3rd, a plaque, and $50... a check for 50 bucks too, not a gift certificate... AWESOME!!