Pics etc. from the Metro Brokers TriathlON Friday

I finally got my first win of the year last night at the Metro Brokers TriathlON Friday. One might say it was just a little sprint race and of course I should win it, and, maybe, I should not even race a small event. Some think it's kind of lame for a pro to go win small local events.

Well, frankly that's all bullshit. First off, I really like sprint races. They hurt like hell since they are so fast from the gun and never let up. But also it's great practice and really helps to keep me sharp.

On top of that I feel the pro athletes have a responsibility to do some local racing. I shouldn't be thought of as the pros going and beating up on the AG's but rather contributing to your local tri scene. Everyone I talked to was really happy I would "take the time and make the sacrifice" to go do the race. Hell, it was only an hour down the road in Cherry Creek and it was a great event.

(even though they had not marked the first turn on the run and I had to do an extra lap around the parking lot trying to find where the course went. actually probably my fault for not knowing the course going in)

So, I am really happy to be able to race a great local event in it's first year and get a good result to boot.

However, most importantly was that I had a showdown with the Without Limits Racing swim coach, Grant Holicky. We were scheduled to have a battle on the swim with bragging rights going to the victor. Grant, a sub 1 min 100 breast stroker, said he was going to take it out fast and try to drop me. That has been my issue lately so I have been working hard to develop power and get out well. The opening pace was really fast but I was able to hang on and push hard around the first buoy to get a bit of a gap on Grant that I would hole to the finish. In the end I lead out by about 20 seconds over the roughly 1k course. So, maybe I will be a swimmer after all. I don't think I'm there yet, but it was a really good benchmark. I suppose it was a catch 22 for Grant. Yes, I beat him, but he's obviously doing a good job as a coach. Hell, a guy named The Rock, just lead out a swim by 20 seconds over short course.

One thing though, DAMN it's rough swimming fast at altitude. I felt like I needed to breath every stroke and I swear the hardest part of the race was the run to T1. OUCH.

All in all it was good Friday night. Now if I can just replicate that next week at Alcatraz

Yeah, I took down these guns.!

Bit of TV for the Metro Brokers guys.

I almost look like I can run again.

You can't see it, but this was a really tight corner. I almost dumped it.

Biggest battle of the year. I'm in the Blue 70 Grant is the big dude next to me.