Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon: A New Sprint PR

This is the event where my triathlon experience begin in 2009. And, here I am 4 years later Getting my fastest time at this event. Yeppee!

The Swim

Garmin Details

I jumped in the water and my googles started leaking, AGAIN. This time, I just ignored it and pushed on. They seem to seal after leaking briefly. After 100 yards or so, I had habituated to the water slosh on my eye and it didn't bother me anymore. The Garmin 910XT says I swam 492 yards instead of 400. I did take the long stretch too wide, but I wouldn't have expected that much additional distance.

Transition 1 (T1)

I came out of the swim feeling strong and immediately passed several people on the way to my bike. This was the first race where I intentionally didn't put socks on for the ride. This may have been my fastest ever T1 too. Feet in shoes, glasses on, helmut on, snap the clasp, and grab bike and run. John Hanna, my coach, had suggested that I run the bike right on past the mount line up the little hill at the start and mount at the intersection where the slope was downhill. He was right. I passed 5 people right there that I never saw again.

The Bike

Garmin Details

I love riding the route from the picnic area at Oak Mountain State Park to the "Fishing Lake" (see the Garmin results link for map, above). Good long rolling hills with long climbs and long descents. I played my usual cat and mouse with several riders where I pass them going downhill and they pass me going up hill. But, in general, I think I passed more riders than riders that passed me. The ride felt good from beginning to end.

T2

I put on socks that I heard another participant call "wicking" socks. They are very thin and extremely easy to put on. Shoes on and tied (next improvement needs to be an easy to secure string system), visor, downed a big gulp of water, and grabbed the gatorade energy gels John, my son, had given me the day before. Off to the run.

The Run

Garmin Details

John had also coached me to take it easy for the first part and kick it in for the later bits. Well, I did. Split paces (Garmin measured the distance as 2.89 miles):

1. 9:51
2. 9:20
3. 9:02

Like the bike, the run simply felt good and I felt strong the entire way. I saw my buddy Ken Harlass near the turn around. He volunteers at a lot of events and has such an encouraging, motivating aura as you get near him. Off to the finish line, several of my fellow Vulcan Triathletes club members were along the chute yelling encouragement. Behind me in the chute, there was another runner clearly trying to pass me. I yelled to my mates, "he is not passing me!" And, he didn't!

Results

June 8, 2013: Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon, Birmingham, AL | Sprint Time: 1:24:30  PR Age Group Place: 6 of 16
	Swim	Distance: 400 yds Time: 9:52
	Transition	Time: 2:23
	Cycle	Distance: 13 Miles Time: 43:02 Rate: 18.1
	Transition	Time: 2:04
	Run	Distance: 3 Miles Time: 27:12 Pace: 9:04
	Weather	Ha Temperature: 71.6° Humidity: 83%

History

Year	Time	Swim	T1	Bike	T2	Run
2009	1:25:43	11:07	4:13	42:36	2:11	25:38
2010	1:32:10	11:53	3:10	43:48	2:10	31:11
2012	1:27:09	10:02	2:31	42:23	3:13	29:02
2013	1:24:30	9:52	2:23	43:02	2:04	27:12

Fastest component in red.

Me after the event with Vulcan Triathletes: