Summerland Sprint Tri

[kiwichris]

So - the annual SST has come and gone again - there were 2HP members at the race along with some guys I coach - here is a little run down.

Chris W - going in to the race tired and sore from training for Cultus Lake next weekend, I didn't have too higher expectations of my performance. The swim was brutal for me this year - the roughest I have had all year. Managed to muscle my way through - kept breathing under control and pushed for the exit. I have been having some forearm tightness lately - think I need to warm up a little longer before the harder efforts. The swim was short for some reason - came out in just under 9 minutes.
Bike - got on the bike quickly and started plugging away at passing who I could see. Had a ding dong battle with a younger racer - and that helped me keep pushing. Was a little breezy so was glad I had my disc on. Resp. system was well controlled and HR felt fine - felt a little leggy today - not much higher intensity riding recently - so have lost some functional ability I think. Still clocked 36.6 average speed and took 30 secs off last year - so all good. Came into transition in 5th.
Run - settled in quickly to the exertion of running - kept breathing to 2 and 2 when I could, and focused on longer strides with a higher heel kick to get me moving. This is where I felt the week of training - just could not push as I wanted too and had some calf tightness. Ran 22 for the 5.2k - not happy but not disappointed due the sore legs I started with.
Finished in 5th overall - 1.03 time.

Geoff W - will let Geoff tell his tale - but I was super stoked he could look so strong today.

Everyone there in the crew had a great day - lots of positive performances all-round.

Thanks for reading

Chris

[gwaterman]

It was a great day out there, a pretty good organized race considering all the age groups and the different distances for the kidlets!
My race went pretty well.  I rode in from Penticton just nice and easy and then stood/sat around until 9:30.  I did a run warm up with Chris and Jeff with some pick-ups in there. I was feeling pretty good.  On to the race. 
I started to the right with a couple of guys around me.  I got a good start and hammered to the first bouy to try and separate everyone.  I was fortunate to have clear water and exit with a 30 second lead. (I figure the swim was about 200m short) My breathing was controlled and I tried not to use my legs. 
Into T1 I got my wetsuit off quickly and went onto the bike.  I've been lacking confidence in my riding ability as of late but after a couple good sessions this past week I was ready to go.  I just put my head down and tried to put time into everyone.  I kept my HR at ~160ish and my breathing felt very controlled.  A couple of guys caught me at about 7.5km, I managed to keep in contact and limit my losses. 
I had a quick transition and came out of T2 in 2nd.  The eventual winner Fraser Cashion went by me very quickly and I was in 3rd slowly but steadily reeling in Scott McMillan.  Once I caught Scott we ran together for the rest of the run.  Coming into the final 250m I put in a surge and got a bit of a gap and then coming down the stretch I got up on the toes and out sprinted Scott for 2nd.  Throughout the run I was focusing on a fast cadence as well as keeping my breathing controlled.  At the end my HR was 175 but that is to be expected.  I came 2nd 37 seconds down from 1st.  All in all a successful day and a great confidence builder. 

Thanks for reading. 

GW
For photos go to www.geoffmwaterman.blogspot.com

[GinnySellars]

I love it!!! Sprint finish!! Wish we were there to see it in action.
Congratulations on a terrific race. Anything under an hour for a sprint race is superb.