2007 turned out to be a very successful year for me. I became sponsored which started the season right. I've been trying to get a sponsor for a few years and it finally happened. Whether it's a club or sponsor, racing in a team kit is a great experience.
Part of the sponsorship requirements was that I compete in at least six races and since it was a triathlon team, I focused on triathlons and did fewer road races than usual.
The triathlon season started with a new race for me, the Pelican Fest Triathlon in Windsor. I did pretty well on the swim and the bike but lost a position in the last kilometer of the run. It was early in the season and a better mental focus would have gotten me on the podium. As it was I finished fourth in my age group.
The next race saw me return to Loveland Lake to Lake (L2L). I first competed at L2L in 2003 and I've always wanted to return, it just took a few years. Things that make L2L fun are the grass transition area, the grass run from swim to T1 and the post-race party. The food is always good and there are people wandering around handing out popsicles. Except for a close encounter with a truck on the bike, the race went really well. I didn't finish as well as I would have liked but I was happy with my performance. Post race I was chatting with a race official and he thought I did well and would do better during the rest of the year.
July saw the return to Boulder Peak (BP) for the biggest race of the year both in terms of competitors and depth of talent. This was my seventh BP and I was hoping to improve upon last year's performance. I had a solid swim and the run was good but bike was outstanding. I dropped over three minutes off my previous bike split and finished four minutes faster than my previous best. I also had a best age group finish of tenth which given the caliber of competitor at BP, I was extremely happy.
Part of the sponsorship requirements was that I compete in at least six races and since it was a triathlon team, I focused on triathlons and did fewer road races than usual.
The triathlon season started with a new race for me, the Pelican Fest Triathlon in Windsor. I did pretty well on the swim and the bike but lost a position in the last kilometer of the run. It was early in the season and a better mental focus would have gotten me on the podium. As it was I finished fourth in my age group.
A couple weeks later saw me racing at the Mini Ha Ha. Extremely short, extremely quick and extremely fun. A lot of my friends were competing which made the race even more fun. I took the lead quickly upon leaving T1 and held it for most of the bike. I was passed with about a half-mile to go. I stayed close going into T2 had a fast transition and took off on the run scared. Fortunately the other triathlete wasn't a strong runner so I held on for the fastest time of the day. Afterwards I was talking with another triathlete and he told me he didn't think transitions mattered until he saw the two of us come in together and me take off.
The results from Mini Ha Ha look a little peculiar since I was racing in the team category. I had the fastest time of the day but was excluded from the overall and age group categories. It didn't matter much since Holly, Bruce and I handily won the team category.
The results from Mini Ha Ha look a little peculiar since I was racing in the team category. I had the fastest time of the day but was excluded from the overall and age group categories. It didn't matter much since Holly, Bruce and I handily won the team category.
The next race saw me return to Loveland Lake to Lake (L2L). I first competed at L2L in 2003 and I've always wanted to return, it just took a few years. Things that make L2L fun are the grass transition area, the grass run from swim to T1 and the post-race party. The food is always good and there are people wandering around handing out popsicles. Except for a close encounter with a truck on the bike, the race went really well. I didn't finish as well as I would have liked but I was happy with my performance. Post race I was chatting with a race official and he thought I did well and would do better during the rest of the year.July saw the return to Boulder Peak (BP) for the biggest race of the year both in terms of competitors and depth of talent. This was my seventh BP and I was hoping to improve upon last year's performance. I had a solid swim and the run was good but bike was outstanding. I dropped over three minutes off my previous bike split and finished four minutes faster than my previous best. I also had a best age group finish of tenth which given the caliber of competitor at BP, I was extremely happy.
Most years I host a breakfast in August for the Holy Cow Trail Stampede but this year with so many friends running Pikes Peak, I didn't race the Holy Cow. That freed the weekend for the Rattlesnake Triathlon at Aurora Reservoir. Although I hadn't done the race before I am familiar with the venue since it's the home of the Harvest Moon triathlon. The swim used an individual start which was great for me. I instantly fell into my rythym and had a great swim. Although the bike and run were a little slower than BP, the swim more than made up for it and I won my age group. I was pretty stoked when I saw the results. It was especially satisfying since it was open water and the competition was tough.
Fate played a hand in getting me into my next race, the Fall Frenzy (FF) in Parker. I waffled between doing the race and not doing the race and then it sold out. Unfortunately or fortunately my brother who was entered became sick and I got his slot. FF is really nice not requiring you to rack your bike before the first competitors start. That worked in my favor since my heat wasn't until 11:00 AM and the first heat was 7:00 AM. I showed up around 10:00, got set up and put in a solid performance. I finished third overall and first in my age group.
The triathlon season wrapped up at Harvest Moon in mid-September. I had my new bike and had a few weeks in the saddle. After the long season, I was just ready to have a relaxing day and let the race come to me. The swim was good and the buoys didn't move like in 2006. The bike course was changed and it was either the new course, the new bike or a combination but I flew. I battled with a Kestrel rider for a while and finally broke away on the rollers. I paid a price for the bike on the run but it wasn't too much and it was worth it. I dropped my time from 5:13 to 4:43. A thirty minute difference and twenty of that was the bike. I finished second in my age group to a semi-pro which isn't bad at all. 
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