I completed my 6th time going to the Burley Idaho Spudman. The race featured 1500 athletes. The event is extremely popular, selling 2000 slots in 20 min.
I improved my time by four minutes from last year. I accomplished 3 of my 4 goals and felt good coming away from the race.
At the event, there was a drowning of a 60 year old man from Provo. I suspect it was heart problems, in as much as it was at the first of the race and he did not fight much. He went down and it took 30 min for the divers to find him. I hope all is well with his family. Nation wide, 33% of Americans will die of heart disease and that does not get put on the news.
Back to the race. My swim goal was to come out around 17 min. My previous swims were 23, 21, 18, 19:20 and I swam a 16:16 this year. Having a good wet suit helped alot and I rode the current better. The start was not as hectic and I only hit a few people. Many stayed closer to the shore, which helped me. I had the 89th fastest swim and 13th in my AG. Last year I was 357 and 54. I had a better swim than bike--that was unheard of when I started to tri.
I hit T1 about as good as expected. Got on the bike and knew I had to not blow my legs the first half of the race. I felt pretty good and competed well except the last part, I slowed down. I was only passed by 3 or 4 on the bike and only one was from my AG that I did not pass later. I did the same on the bike as last year. I was hoping to magically go faster. I had a new bike and areo helmet, but I had not done anything else for training. I need a much better base (more miles) to take my bike to the next level. For the first time, I felt I needed to work harder instead of spend more money. I only did 5 or 6 25 mile rides. I need some 30-50 rides. I was 15 in my AG and 126 overall. 15th is actually my best AG finish in the bike--I was 26 last year with the same time. 1:02. I think there was more drafting last year in my AG.
T2 went well and I hit the run feeling good. I took in a little too much hammer gel on my bike so I had to work a left side side ache out at mile two. I went Garmin less and had to rely on the incorrect mile markers. My first mile was 6:46 and I think I kept it right around that. It was a proper 10K. I got a 42:20. Last year I was at 43:06. I was passed by two people. The splits come out to 6:49, which seem right. I was 44 overall in the run, which is the same as last year--meaning the field was faster.
Felt good about the season and now I have to find another race. | 