I returned to Bristol, NH for the third time on June 7^th to race the third annual Mooseman ½ Iron triathlon.  Keith Jordan and the folks at Endorfun extended a generous invitation for me to return as the defending champion form 2007.  

There was an Olympic distance race on Saturday so Ashley and I arrived Friday night to enjoy Saturday’s festivities as well.  However, before I get to the race I need to share a little experience that my home stay host provided.  A common friend of mine put me in contact with Jim as he is a triathlete and lives less than 10 minutes from the race site.  He provided an amazing pasta dinner Friday night for Ashley and I, as well as a few other triathletes racing.  During diner the topic some how arose that Jim built a cannon…that’s right a homemade cannon.  After quite a few questions clarifying this “cannon,” as well as a few stories involving the police and fire department investigating an “explosion” the first time that he set the cannon off.  After all this we needed a demonstration which Jim was happy to provide…all I can say it wow!  The noise was amazingly loud and the 3-4 feet of flames that shot out of the cannon were incredible. 

On to the race!  Returning as the defending champion added a little more pressure, but it was the kind of pressure that I love.  There was also a small prize purse this year which I knew might bring a little more competition.  Also I had not raced since Ironman 70.3 California at the end of March, so I was excited to see where my fitness was after some solid training.  Race morning was my normal routine, except I made a major mistake!!  I left my nutrition in the refrigerator at Jim’s house, of course I didn’t realize this until I got to the race site.  Ashley saved me by going back and getting it for me, which meant waiting in long lines of traffic.  Thank you Ashley!

The Swim: 25:55, 5^th position

The water temp was only slightly above 60 degrees and it made for a chilly start. However, my Blue Seventy Helix felt great and not only kept me warm it also helped me to catch a good draft group and come out of the water in a great position.

The Bike: 2:19, fastest split of the day

After passing a few people in T1 I set out on the bike in 3^rd place 2:30 back from the leader.  The New Hampshire roads had taken quite a beating after the winter and the pavement was pretty rough in some spots.  The course also has several rollers and a few short steep climbs that required patience in order to be able to run well.  My goal was to hold a steady power throughout the ride and be patient.  After seeing a few cyclists on the first loop I began the second loop still in 3^rd position 2:30 behind the leader…I wasn’t gaining any ground, but I wasn’t loosing any either.  As the race progressed the day began getting hotter and hotter (eventually hitting about 90 degrees) and I was working pretty hard to keep a consistent pace/power, but my patience began paying dividends.  As the second loop continued people would shout my position and the gap up to the leader, “3^rd place 2:15 back”…”1:50”…”1:30”…”1:10”ect.  I began catching glimpses of the 2 riders ahead on the long straight stretches.  The three of us rolled into transition together.

The Run:  1:19, First Overall

The two other guys had very fast transitions and left transition about 10-15 seconds ahead of me.  The first mile they set the pace pretty fast and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep this pace.  It usually takes me ½ -1 mile to settle in and find a good rhythm and as a result I let the two guys open up their lead a little.  However after about 1.5 miles I moved into second place, giving my friend Charles a little encouragement as I went.   At that point I found a steady pace and caught up to the leader at about mi 2.5.  We ran together for a few miles at a hard pace.  I noticed that I had a little more power up the hills than he did and as a result I used a hill to surge ahead and didn’t look back.  At the half way point at ~6.5 miles I had a 30 second lead.  I kept the pace steady until the last turn around at about mi 10 where I had a ~1min lead and knowing that I had to race Kansas 70.3 the following weekend I cruised in the last 3 miles enjoying the experience…after all racing hurts, but I love it, but that’s why I work so hard the other 355 days of the year.

I had a great day at Mooseman and I was able to see a lot of the New England area triathletes who I will not see together for awhile since I was moving to North Carolina.  I also later found out that the reason the 2 guys with me in T2 had such fast transitions is that they did not put on socks, a decision they regretted.  I, by the way, always wear socks in anything over a 10k.

Mooseman ½ Iron Race Resutls

For more info go to www.alexmmtri.com