Improvements all around at Sentinel Triathlon for tricoachmartin athletes

Johan (pictured here in SCTA gear) made the Sentinel his "A" race for the season and was rewarded with a 4.5 min improvement on last years result. Rohanna competed in her first ever Olympic distance to finish 15th woman overall and 6th in her age group. Kristen courageously partook after a bike fall two days before to slice 4 minutes off last years time. Aimee raced to her Olympic PR in the middle of marathon training to place 8th in her age group and Mike went a minute and a half faster than last Sentinel fighting through some nasty cramps on the run. Congrats all on the pay off for a lot of hard work!

I had a better than expected race after a very busy September. A perfect sit for nearly the entire swim (after a good start, see me on the pic left!) on the feet of a faster swimmer and a stronger bike helped me to 4th place overall and a 2:02:13. Check out the Santa Cruz Sentinel article for the full report and results.

Big Kahuna Half Ironman Race Report

Finally put together a half Ironman I was happy with given my level of training. Started in the second wave start. The buoys were few and far between so was glad to have some local knowledge to guide me. I think I was second in my age group out of the water and paced myself well on the bike. Drank probably 3 bottles of sports drink and washed down a half a Powerbar at 15 and 35 miles. Perhaps a little too hydrated as there was a couple moments of freewheeling during the 56 miles. I started pretty cautiously and got through the difficult, hot part on the Wilder bike path before really starting to push the last 4 miles once I got back near the coast. Took 2 Espresso GU gels, one at 3 and one at 7 miles. Along with the supplied energy drink at the aid stations seemed to get me to the end and not far off a negative split. I was able to walk around after the event and not spend an hour coughing in the fetal position which is frequently how I've ended up after a long distance tri. So that was nice. 20th Overall. Results here and local press article here.