Advertised distance: 5k run/17 mi bike/5k run
Actual distance: 5k run/15.5 mi bike/5k run

First multisport of the year, first race on the new bike (QR Kilo). Last year's two triathlons were on the 35-pound mountain bike. Goals were to finish in under 2 hours (under 30 min for each 5k, under 1 hour for the bike). I was being conservative since it's the first race of the season. I new I was capable of under 9 minute miles for the run (I know, practically WALKING for most of you) and averaging at least 19 mph on the bike.

First 5k was an out-and-back on Marine Drive along the Columbia River. Started toward the middle to back of the pack so I wouldn't get passed by EVERYONE. The run felt okay - I've been trying to work on my form the last couple of weeks and I haven't quite built up the calf muscles to stay up on my toes for as long as I'd like. I resorted to my old heel-toe rolling action when I got tired. Came in at 27:53 (8:58 min/mile - whew!). T1 was uneventful, except that I tossed my running shoes sort of randomly and ran out of T1 with my bike thinking, "Uh…I guess I'm going to need those again…probably should have looked where they went." T1: 1:54

The bike felt really good. Since I was now at the back of the pack after my typically slow run (183/204 overall), I was determined to pick off at least 20 people. I also decided I would save nothing for the run since I wasn't going to be winning any medals in that leg anyway. Plus, I wanted to see how well I could do on my new bike. I was not just passing people, I was FLYING past people. OK, yes, most were at least 20 years older than me and/or on mountain bikes, but it still felt pretty good. I tried to keep up at least 18 mph going against the wind. After the turnaround we had a nice tailwind and I was able to keep it around 22 mph for most of the way back. I was thankful that the first place runner had not yet come in when I got to T2. Found out after the race that I passed 42 people on the bike for an overall place of 141/204 (48:00 total; 19.4 mph average). Managed to reach over and grab my running shoes, decided to bag the hat since I didn't want to mess with it. T2: 1:50

The second run had 2 out-and-back sections. The first was short - maybe a mile? About 500 feet after returning to the finish area to start the second out-and-back, I passed Jeff (coming the other way). He was really running strong and I was glad to see how far up in the pack he was. It seemed like forever before I got to the last turnaround, then cruised in at 29:15 (9:25 min/mile). I wished I had remembered my hat since I had massive amounts of sweat dripping in my eyes. After my 2nd slow run of the day, I ended up 7th (of 11) in my AG for overall time. DFL in my AG on the first run, 4th on the bike, 10th on the 2nd run.

While my run (obviously) needs some serious work, I was really pleased with my time on the new bike. My bike split was only 1:40 behind the woman that won most of the events last year in my AG (she was 3rd in this race). If I can knock a minute or so per mile off my run times I think I can move from a BOPer to a MOPer.

Finished up the weekend with a hilly 75 miler w/Jeff on Sunday (was supposed to be 4 or 4 1/2 hours, turned into more like 5+ hours because I was so pooped from the day before).

Next race: Kelly Point Du in two weekends (4/14). 5k/15k/5k…wishing that bike was longer….:~)

- MG