First race in the books...

One down, one to go (minus, of course, a few half marathons and the Denver marathon). I was nervous. I had all of these hope and expectations...and most of them panned out. Overall a good day and a good result. Must. trust. the. training.

The Boulder 70.3 (formally 5430 Long Course) is such a great race. A beautiful sunrise swim (that was partially cloud covered), a fast as hell bike and a run that makes you pay (don't they all).

Long story short - I wanted 6 hours, and I got 5:42. I really had no clue as I had no watch (telling time, only 10 minute feed increments), I left my Powertap home in the docking station and my Garmin crapped out at about mile 3 on the run. Oy! For a data weeny a tough pill to swallow. Choice-less, I went by feel.

My only gauge was that Kristina started 5 minutes behind me...and all I could really think about is how long it would take for her to catch me, pat me on the butt and do the wink and pass. Thankfully, my ego didn't have to deal with that this time.

Some stats, as follows:

Swim: 38:50, 2 minute PR

Bike: 2:33:21, 21.9 mph, 9 minute PR

Run: 2:23: 16, 24 minutes slower than my best run time, but a walk-run-shuffle best to date.

In the Land of IFs...if I had the same run as last year I would have pulled down a 5:15...or a 16 minute PR. I know (duh!) that there is no such place, so I am thrilled with what I did, and just happy and lucky to race! I did have a small cry down the finishing stretch as I thought about a rough year, crap knees and the joy and pain of IMFL to come.