Louie Triathlon report

Ok, as promised here is my race report from the Louie Tri (turned Duathlon due to frigid water temps).

The day started remarkably bright and sunny for a San Fran Jan morning. It was still quite cold, so we bundled up and got ready to race. A reading of the water temp brought back a chilly 46 degrees, so the coaches called the swim and turned the race into a Duathlon. It was advertised as a 5K run, 40K bike, 10K run. But my trusty Garmin tells a different story. It reported a 3.35 mi run, 23.8 mi bike, 6.65 mi run.

I started the run with my pace partner Pete. That was great as he kept me going at a nice fast pace. We parted ways at the first transition and hopped on our bikes.

Then Pete left me in the dust on the bike course and I was off riding with some of my other teammates. The volunteers were great! There were people at every corner cheering us on, pointing the way, and sometimes even blocking traffic. The course was nice and flat so I was trying keep a faster pace. But the headwind on the island was particularly strong this morning, so on this leg I really struggled. Then there was all that pesky turning and avoiding potholes. But all in all it was a good ride and I felt good going into the last run leg.

After a quick transition I was off running again. I was trying to push my pace, but without my buddy Pete and with that bloody headwind still out there, I struggled. I kept finding myself easing off, then having to push again. But I mustered through and came through the finish at 2:57 total. If this had been a real Olympic tri that would have been my fastest time ever. Maybe I should switch to Duathlon (no swimming which means no riding and running with freezing feet either)! It was a great time!!!

Run = 27:22

Bike = 1:25:17

Run = 58:06