Second Tri - Stonebridge Ranch Sprint Sept 2009

Last September I did my second triathlon at the Stonebridge Ranch Sprint triathlon. Most of you have heard about this already from me or from Colette's blog, but I thought I'd put down a few stories about the event.

It was a big event, with something like 900 participants. This sprint distance tri had a 750 meter swim, a 20km bike and a 5k run. There was an olympic distance race also that doubled all three legs, but I participated in the sprint.

I got of to a good start with the swim, but had some mechanical issues on the bike. I got a flat rear tire. I had practiced changing tubes, but there were a few things that didn't go as planned. I had left the receiver for the kids' bike trailer on the rear axle. It was a mistake to leave this on. Because my hands were so sweaty, I couldn't move the receiver enough to get the quick release lever off. I messed with it for awhile. Then I thought maybe I could use a pliers if I could walk back to the transition area. I walked the bike for awhile but then realized it would take forever to walk in and I needed to fix the flat or quit the race. I tried again to get the quick release lever off in spite of the trailer receiver, and this time I was able to get it off. I guess it was easier once my hands dried a little and my heart rate slowed a bit. All in all I wasted about 30 minutes, but I was able to finish.

Oh, I'm always easy to find in a crowd.

Even though the weather was nice, the water was COLD. We had to tread water for a while waiting for the gun for a deep water start. There were lots of guys making jokes like "Come on over here, there's a warm patch."

Lila was willing to watch for me when she had a donut in her hand.

It was an absolutely beautiful day.

Exiting swim for a relatively long run to T1.

I think I make my bike look really small. This was the biggest mountain bike I could get in 1995 without a special order. I think it might be getting close to time for an upgrade. Hmmm.... I think I'd look more properly proportioned on a 29er.

Finally coming in from the bike.

Starting the run.

I was in the third wave, so my time was about 2:18. I lost about 30 minutes walking my bike before I got my flat tire changed (since the bike portion was two loops, and my split was 30 minutes faster on the second loop.) So that would have been about 1:48. I have already signed up for this same triathlon next year where I will be seeking redemption and a finish time of about 1hr 40.

Hot and ready for a snack.