great race, great time,

First thing first the ankle was not a real problem though it is not 100% it took the first 3 miles to loosen up, still my stride is short and the ankle lets me know when I lengthen my stride or when I hit a crack in the road just right. now my shins have been tight.. if not one thing it is another....

i had a great time riding out to the race with Kristen, and Jim.  Kristen had a sweet parking spot for us we just pulled in and was only two blocks away from the registration booth and finish line.  We meet up the Karl and started the race up by Square lake north of Stillwater and the route had you following the St. Croix River.

We all had PR this was my first 10 miler and I should have set my bar lower but I ran what I felt was a good pace for me. For the most part I ran the whole way.. except at 8 1/4 mile marker I took about 30 seconds to catch my breath. I was breathing hard and just needed to do it before going up the last little up that the course had for me.

Personal record.. 1:24:46..

Now it is time to cut back a little heal up and do some Hill training..

OK I know that is a weird title but you need hear the story on what happen...  

I get to Lake Nokomis for the Lifetime Fitness MPLS Triathlon, I get my bike off the bike rack and start checking air pressure and filling them up to the right pressure.  Well the back tire valve decided not to hold any air. OK replace with the spare that I cary and go to Transition area and setup..  Change the tube pump it up and started to put the tire back onto the bike and pop goes the spare.  So here I am caring my bike to the transition area will everyone else is rolling the bike or riding them.  

Thank god, that Gear West was there and was able to put on a new tube and I was able to purchase a spare, with my luck I would need it. So the first major mental issue and equipment solved.

Next, I go to Body marking with my bike put it up against a tree, got marked up,  when to got my bike was turning around a bit to sharp and my left Ahilles tendon ( the back part of foot right above the heal) got pinched with the peddle crank and did that hurt and bleed. (**** thing bleed through the whole triathlon)

So here I am doing the Lifetime Fitness short Triathlon and I have a very tender Achilles tendon. Running was going to be a chore.  

The swim was great I did it in a PR for me and a lot better Full Breast Stoke the whole way, took almost three minutes off from last year time.  Came out to do the bike and had a great time, took off over two min from last year time, I average 19.8 MPH on the bike,  that is moving for me on a road bike and it felt like I was biking slow.  OK now on to the run can I say very uncomfortable left foot was in pain and felt like someone was putting a needle in my ankle every time it hit the ground.  I ran most of the way but a slower pace. Still did better then last year.

I finished 1:32:39 my best finish...   I must got a reward from the Triathlons God for dealing with pain and mental setbacks.

Thanks to Jim and Kristen and my parents (pictured below) for coming out it was great to hear and see them on the course and to be able to talk to them afterwards..  

Time for ice and putting the ankle up I hope it will be in good shape for Monday 3 miles.