21 months later....

August 19, 2007 was the last triathlon I did before Sundays event. The Sooke Spring Sprint Triathlon organized by Team X. This was a 700m short course swim, a difficult hilly 20km Time trial through some beautiful roads and a challenging hilly 5km run. The plan was to simulate next weeks more important event the Pan-american Championships in Oklahoma. Strong swim good transitions hard ride and fast off the bike for a couple of kms then cruise it in.

So with a predicted swim time of 7.20(Bit of an exaggeration) I got 4th line in the pool. So starting staggered it began with a bit of a chase. I quickly got into a rythm not really knowing if I was leading the race or not until I excited the pool where I slipped n' slidded around the pool deck to the exit. My swim split ended up being 7.37

T1 was Awesome! Calm, relaxed and error-less.

As for the Bike, I believe I need to figure out the aerobar situation as for the majority of the ride I was in the drops mainly because of the undulating course. Aruss came by me near Otter point and I kept in touch through the hilly far end of the course but he slipped away upon the return home.

T2 was good in-spite of almost overshooting the rack. Quick into my shoes and with some motivation from Scotty, "Aruss dissed your mama!" I responded, "That bugger" On mothers day....
On to the run I felt fantastic. Just smooth, high cadence bounding. I quickly got into a strong pace pushing to the top of the first climb (What I thought to be 2km) Aruss and I ran together for a bit discussing when we should race it in. It was descided that it would be all on at the base of the final hill into the finish line. I didn't want to make it a sprint for the line with him as I am sure he would be stronger, so I went for it on the hill getting enough of a gap to hold on. In the previous heat Stevo rode a wicked fast ride and held it for the overall win. Click here for full results. And here are the swim splits.

It was a nice way to start my comeback into the sport of Triathlon. The way I felt running off the bike is just the encouragement I need going into PATCO next weekend. I will be the underdog these upcoming weekends, but I am ok with that. It is a good position to be in but not to stay.

But more on PATCO later,

For now, I would like you to listen to this song. I just love it.

Hope all is well,

Andrew McCartney

No Cotton Wool.