Notes
US Championships run leg. I transitioned pretty well again, and thought my legs had good energy leaving the transition area. This went away quickly. I started to get the same chest tightness as usual and this time I immediately unzipped my suit and pulled off my shoulders. This helped a lot but I still struggled to control my breathing the first couple of miles. I was passing everyone, but once again it didn't feel like I was passing them the way I should be. I felt more like just a slightly above average runner instead of one of the fastest runners there. Miles 3 and 4 started to feel better. My breathing got under control and I had a much better rhythm, but I was still thinking about how much farther I had to go and didn't have the strenght to pick it up at all. By mile 5 I was finally running the way I was supposed to be. The last couple miles I was passing a lot of people. I wouldn't be surprised if each third of the run leg I picked it up 15-30 seconds. Meaning I was probably running close to 6:30 at the beginning and 5:30 at the end. I ended up with the 23rd fastest run split in my age group and 74th overall out of 3061. This seems like it should be good, but ever since I ran 33:50 a couple years ago at HyVee I feel like I should be able to run better. I have to keep telling myself that my running shape was crazy that year and I'm sure the improved bike splits have been slowing down my run a little too. So not a bad run, just not a great one like I want.
Overall I was 2:08:26. 52/145 in my age group, 281/1718 for men, and 289/3061 overall. This is a minute faster than the 2 other olympic distance triathlons I have done so I can't complain about that. I've been racing consistently and improving which is all I can really ask. My training doesn't really indicate any reason I should be making a big jump right now either. That being said I still half expected to do better. I really thought my bike split might be faster too based on how easily I was catching everyone. Talking with Kevin beforehand he thought I would go really fast because so many other good bikers and runners would push me. Instead it felt similar to all the other races I have done. I didn't get passed by anyone after the swim and didn't run into anyone close to my pace on the bike or run. This was probably due to waves starting so far apart (No studs from other age groups were able to catch me), and all the good bikers and runners from my age group are good swimmers at this level. I spoke with a guy after the race that had the same bike and run split as me but finished 19th overall in 2:01 because he swam 20 minutes. I really need to improve that portion of the race but I'm not sure what I can do to get better at it when I always feel like I have to baby my shoulder.
I should add that Milwuakee was a sweet place and a great environment for the race. I had a lot of fun and ended with a PR. Hopefully I can get another at HyVee in 3 weeks.