ITU ParaTriathlon World Cup Madrid 2011

Here is my race report for ITU World Cup Madrid.  It was a fast hard race.

The swim was a bit tough and felt longer than it was. I was surprised to come out of the water with the pack. The run to T1 is really long. Probably about 400 yards with the first 50 across a floating plastic pontoon which moves under you. It's a bit unsettling. I moved up a few places on the transition run.

I had a quick transition but was a bit over ever to get my feet in the shoes once I mounted the bike. Road the first few 100 meters with one foot between the strap and the shoe but not in it.

I pretty much crushed the bike course. Within the first k I was in first place. There was a photo/video bike who followed the leader. At first it was a bit annoying but then you just end up pushing harder. You've got to look good on film and all. At the last 180 turn 2.5 k before T2 I did a time check and was up on 2nd place by about 45 seconds.

Hit T2 and missed finding my rack finding my rack. Next time I'll be sure to scout it better. Lost a few seconds there but not to bad. The ITU transitions are super nice! When you get off the bike you are pretty much at your rack unlike big transition areas where you run a ways to the rack.

The run was hard, I took off at a fast pace and felt like I was going to die. Chest heaving, couldn't get a breath. I must have looked like crap to the guys on the moto bike. I kept praying for the turn. Eventually it came and then I realized why the run was hurting so much. It was a false flat. The way back rocked and I picked it up a gear. The guy in second was way too far back to catch me. And I cruised in to the finish. I'm trying to get race photos but for now you'll have to settle for the podium shot.