Tri Indy Race Report

Last Sunday I did my last Olympic triathlon of the season, and decided that I should finally get around to writing my race report. The race was in downtown Indianapolis, with the transition at White River State Park, a few blocks from the new Colts stadium. Pre-race went smoothly with the exception that I could not get my rear derailure dialed in correctly, and 20 minutes before the race I took it to a mechanic for help. He ended up cutting my cable with about 20 min before my wave left, and replacing it, which was a bit disconcerting, but he knew what he was doing, and the bike was ready to go with just enough time for me to run the 1.5km to the start and get the the line as they called for my wave.

Swim: 1500m, 26:11, 1:44/100m (80th place)
The swim was pretty gross because it was in the canal, but at the same time very cool because it went right through a really trendy part of town. Beth even got to walk along with me for the entire length, which was more interesting for her than watching from the beach, and she got a few cool pictures. My time was a 5 sec/hundred slower than the last Olympic, but I blame having run to the start, and being a bit distracted by the surroundings so I didn't work as hard as I could have.

T1: 00:33.9 (2nd place!)
I rocked the first transition! I was in and out at a dead sprint, and really happy with myself... until I knocked off a shoe mounting my bike and had to stop and grab it... o well, that got added to the bike time.

Bike: 24.8mi, 1:08:00.3 (21.9 mph/ 56th place)
The bike course was horribly bumpy. It went in two loops with a lot of turns, pot holes, bumps, and 2 track crossings. There were dropped water bottles, CO2 containers, spare tires, pumps etc. all over the course! I saw a few athletes changing flats, and on top of it all it was downright crowded with slower athletes at times. I came through unscathed, but a bit slow because of a combination of caution and not wanting to burn myself out for the run.

T2: 00:51.0 (40th place)
Easy transition, in.. bike racked... shoes on... run out... forgot to take off helmet.. run back... oops.

Run: 6.1 miles 00:45:07.6 (07:15.6/mile 79th place)
This entire race I was concentrating on the run, and although the time looks relatively slower compared to my bike, this was good for me (my last pace was 7:56/mile). I started strong, and managed to keep the pace under 7:30 for every mile, and made my goal of 7:15 average (just barely) I was very happy with the run overall, felt like I gave it all I had, mile 5 was rough, but I kept it moving along, and got the pace back up for the last mile.

Overall: 2:20:44.2, 42nd place, 4th in my age class.
I am very happy with the race as a whole. I chopped 6 minutes off my evergreen time, and had a great time. The course was really interesting being in the middle of the city. I would definitely do this one again if I am in the stat next year.