Gallup Triathlon Part II

I like doing this triathlon thing because I'm starting to repeat races. I raced Gallup last year with my friend Nat, who is now on to bigger and better things (although he should be back for Farmington). Here's a pic from the race last year (before I had a tri top):


Last year's times:

 Total     Swim     T1    Bike     T2      Run  

1:13:50    6:51    0:48   41:00    1:05   24:03

This year's times:

 Total     Swim     T1    Bike     T2      Run  

1:09:55    6:31    0:48   38:55    0:51   22:46 

Overall, pretty good improvement. I chalk it up to the training. As for the race itself . . .

I woke up at 4AM and put together two mugs of coffee, two bagels, and a breakfast drink for the 2hr drive to Gallup. I got there around 6ish, entirely too early. I picked out a spot for the bike, and tried to pass the time waiting for the start. On the drive over, one of the pads on my aero bars blew off somewhere on I-40. I rigged up a spare pair of socks over the arm rest. Worked out alright.

It was a snake style seeded pool start, with a 20 sec interval. I was surprised that I was the 5th person to start. I waited to get passed in the pool, but it never happened. I didn't have a super time, and I was pretty winded after the swim. I think I was inefficient in my stroke.

Once out on the bike, I felt terrible going up the hills. Absolutely awful. Again, I waited to be passed, but it never happened. My computer pooped out 3 miles in, so I really didn't know how I was doing.

Out on the run, I felt alright to start, but was crushed by the San Fran style hill on the course. I kept my effort up all the way to the top, but had to walk for a few seconds. I was suprised I ran a sub 23 5k after the walking. I was pleased to finish under 1:10.

If the race was scored like last year (with top three finishers overall as ineligible for age group awards), I would have placed first in 25-29! Third wasn't bad either, but is a little strange when you finish 6th overall.

I really like coming back to Gallup. I spent three years of my life on the reservation, teaching social studies at a BIA (now BIE) school. It would have been nice to spend more time there, but I had to get back after the race. It was good to see a couple friends from the old days running the race.

Up next - Farmington Triathlon on 7/4. And a lot of studying for the bar. But not too much.

Jay Benson

On Sunday, I ran in the Jay Benson Triathlon on Kirtland Air Force Base. I have wanted to do this one for a long time. It is so close to our house.

My Time:
Total Run Pace T1 Bike Mph T2 Swim
1:03:19.20 20:30 6:50 1:12 32:15 23.1 1:20 8:05

I had a pretty good result. I came in with better training than races past, except that the past week or so, I've been slacking due to law school finals. I wanted to build some confidence before the race, so I went and PR'ed in the pool the day before (6:20/400yds). It certainly gave me confidence, but I think it wrecked my arms during the swim.

My goal was to break 1:10min, and maybe 1hr5min. I really wanted to place in my age group. I met my first two goals, and missed my third by 20 secs. Oh well.

As for the race itself, I started running with the main group. I think I began at about a 6min pace, but quickly slowed up. I need to work on maintaining a fast pace in these short events. When I was hurting on the run, I was dreaming about the bike. I knew it would feel good to get on the bike, and it did. I had a strategy to work hard for the first 6 or 7 miles, and then crank it for the last 5 or 6. But when the time came, I just couldn't push harder. I think it was more mental than physical, so thats another thing to work on.


And the swim. Well, my arms didn't feel like they had much in them (thanks to the previous day's workout). I passed a few folks and got passed by one. I really wanted to open it up, but again, my mind stopped me from doing it. I lost few seconds waiting to get out of the pool.



All in all, I think I did well. My training is paying off, but I need to focus it more. I'm not sure what the next race will be. I have graduation and the bar exam looking at me now, so it may be awhile.

Congrats to Paula for doing the race! And thanks to Mike for supporting us and taking pictures.