Bob the runner

USA Triathlon National Championships for Age Group athletes is a big deal.  It only happens once a year and the top 18 in each age group qualify for team USA and get to compete at the world Triathlon championships.  On Saturday is the Olympic distance (just under 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run) race and on Sunday is the Sprint (just under 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.2 mile run) race.  To compete in the Olympic distance you have to win your age group in a local triathlon or finish in the top 10%.  In other words you must earn an invite.  The Sprint distance race is open to anyone. So to attend the Olympic race you must be very good or very lucky.  In my case it was a combination of having a good day and being lucky.  I won my AG at the Littlefoot Triathlon by less than a minute on a cool rainy day last September.  Everything went right for me that day which is how I earned my invite to the National Championships. This is...

Wow, I sure am a bit slow writing up the  Loveland Lake to Lake  race report!  I really enjoyed this race.  Loveland High School is a perfect race venue, the race was challenging and well organized and also had the best after race food.    This was my first Olympic distance triathlon of 2018. 1500 meter swim (just under a mile), 30 mile bike and 10k (6.2 miles) run.  I met some of my goals including to enjoy the experience. Thanks to my better half ( Julie Cole )  for taking the photos and supporting me on my crazy adventures.  Since Loveland Colorado is a little over an hour drive time, we decided to spend the night at a hotel there.  It was nice being able to sleep in a little later before heading over to the race venue.  Transition opened at 5am and that is about the time we arrived.  I found a primo spot in transition, close to the bike exit and among the intense athletes, and proceeded to setup my equipment. ...