Tin Man Triathlon Relay

On Wednesday, Tyler, my new boss, asked me if I wanted to do the 5k run portion of a triathlon relay this weekend. I said sure and started trying to estimate a 5k time. My best guess was that I could go sub 18 minutes if I put together a great day. My plan was to go out 6:30/ 6:00/ 5:30 and come in right around 18 minutes. I had run the course before and new it was quick with a quality field of runners, both 5k and triathletes, to push the pace.
5:20 this morning my alarm goes off and I dress and head out to Cal State San Bernardino. It's funny, but when I wake up that early to exercise I always feel like I am one of the few committed crazies out there. That myth is frequently shattered and no more than today when I showed up and hundreds of people were already on-scene. Two things hit me pretty quickly as I got out of my car and walked over towards registration in search of my relay partners. First, this race has grown A LOT since I did it 4 years ago. And, second, the triathlete community is way more type-A crazy than the ultra-distance crowd. I know this, but was reminded of it as I watched all sorts of warm up routines and the parade of the newest gear. People jockey for the best place on the start line ( me included) and the energy is palpable at the start of a race like today. Nervous chatter abounds as everyone deals with nerves in their own manner. Ultra distance races, on the other hand, are way more mellow at the start gate.

Here's how the race unfolded. Right before the starting gun, Tyler pointed to a guy in a Triathlon singlet and told me to pace off of him (he would end up placing 3rd overall- more on that later). I saw an old friend Kylie Donia at the start and we had a brief conversation before the gun sounded, as we did  I was reminded of many of the friends in this fairly tight-knit community that I hadn't seen in a while.

The gun sounded and I was able to make my way through the traffic without much effort- including the 60+ year old, out of shape couple that pushed their way in front of me because they "wanted to feel what it was like at the front of the start line and would only be there for a few minutes". Arghhh..... get out of my way before I am responsible for straight-arming you to the ground and watching people trample you. Back to the race.... I look down at my watch about 1/2 mile in and it say 5:20/ mile pace.... not where I want to be, but I am trying to sit on the hip of the guy in blue that I was told to shadow. I stayed with him until about 1.25 miles and simply couldn't anymore at that point. Frustrated, I let him go and decided to run my own race.
1 Mile down and I am looking at close to a 6:30 pace. Exactly what I had hoped for but it was hurting more than I would have liked it to and I knew that wasn't going to be good.
Mile 2 hurt and so did mile 3. Blue guy was still in sight, but not within reach and I am wondering how they can design a course that is a loop and still mostly uphill. Logic tells me that it should be about equal, but maybe I was just paying too much attention to the effort. I never found a relaxing stride during this race, neither in my breathing or legs and I can usually do so in the 6-7 minute/ mile range. Not so today. I haven't done any speedwork since my surgery and today that fact was on full display.
I ran into transition, glad to pass the timing chip to Tyler, and breathed a sigh of relief ( after 5 or so minutes of huffing an puffing) that my part was over. I knew Tyler would match my effort on the bike and our swimmer ( who's name escapes me right now ) would do a good job and sure enough they did.
I am fairly certain that we won the relay category ( not that there were a ton of people in that category).
I was disappointed in my run time, but upon further reflection, I shouldn't be considering my lack of speedwork.
All in all, it was a fun day and it was good to see some old friends ( Coach Tony, Sinta, Kylie, Mike, and Barry). Tinman is a good race. It could use a few improvements like a bike dismount area and  better control of the transition area so that non-competitors are not in there free to take a $10,000 bike. But it has grown into a fun race with a competitive field that is worthy of your efforts and the monies go to the Rotary club that puts it on.

Splits
Mile 1   6:24:11 Avg HR 185
Mile 2   6:48:70 Avg HR 190
Mile 3   6:39:13 Avg HR 193
Mile .1  1:06:06 Avg HR 198

Total 5K Time 20:50