USAT Elite Series Seattle

This past Saturday afternoon, I got my first taste of draft-legal triathlon in Monroe, WA for the USAT Elite Series race. Since this year's theme seems to be about learning experiences, this race was no different and left me with a laundry list of things I need to better prepare for in future events. For example, what to eat for an afternoon start, since my usual race morning meal didn't work out as a pre-race lunch.

As for the race itself, here are the details:

Typical of an ITU event, we lined up along the beach shoulder to shoulder and got underway at the sound of the gun. As expected, the start was fast and I did my best to find some feet and was in good shape after the second turn buoy of the first lap (of two). Coming in though, there was either an acceleration or I drifted. In any event, I was swimming alone and did so for the remainder of the swim.

There were a few guys just exiting T1 as I entered, so I had hopes of getting onto the bike course, putting the hammer down, and catching the group of 4 ahead. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned and I rode alone for the first 6.5 laps. I was riding hard, but a pair of legs is no match for a pack of them. Halfway through the 6th lap, two guys caught me and we worked together for the remainder of the bike course.

T2 was a breeze and I hit the run course feeling okay, but things just got worse. Like I mentioned above, I need to figure out what and when to eat for an afternoon start (we started at 2:45), because I was having major stomach/GI issues. There were several guys within striking distance had I been feeling better, but I ran just trying to get the run over with. I finished in 30th position, which also happened to be my race number; race numbers were assigned based on rank (however they computed that), so my placing was predicted well by someone.

Overall, I really enjoy the ITU-style of racing. It obviously places a lot more emphasis on the swim and diminishes individual cycling prowess, but it's exciting and fast! I have a lot more work to do to be more competitive on the circuit, but I knew that going into this race. In less than two weeks, I'll be at it again in San Francisco.