The last Long Course...

Yesterday's Long Course was one I will not soon forget...

Course records for both male and female pros which given the heat was a bit of a surprise. There was a huge pro field with a cameo "Crowie" appearance on Hwy 36, almost managing to keep pace with passing cyclist.

Many first timers who got to experience it before the changing of the guard. A fond farewell to 5430 Sports, a Boulder triathlon tradition. Thank you to Barry and Jodee Siff. I hope the WTC can keep it as real as they did.

Many PR's yesterday, and for those who didn't there was still the reward of being able, of crossing the finish line after a hard days work. There were highs & lows. Smiles and tears. Earning the right to cross the finish line is part of why we do this.

Make no mistake...this is a deceptively hard course...the bike lures you in to hammering, sometimes harder than you should only to pay it back two-fold on the run. It is a perfect example of learning self-control; managing output and, in turn, expectations.

Also, an incredible performance from my friend & coach, Craig Howie...who will now be among the pros. A true testament to perseverance and hard work paying off. As an athlete, he embodies what all champions should. As a coach, he's made a lot of us better triathletes.

This year I PR'd by 13 minutes over last year...49 minutes faster than my first long course.

Swim: 40:22
T1: 1:55
Bike: 2:41:52 (20.8 mph)
T2: 1:13
Run: 2:00:32 (9:13/mi)
Total: 5:25:53
Rank: 347 of 1134

There's still a bigger fish to fry...I almost crapped when someone today said "35 days until IM".

Now to figure out how I am going to get in a 4,750 meter swim, a 20 mile run and a 105 mile bike...