2012 Manitou Sprint Triathlon

It was hot and windy on Sunday.  Very much different than when I did this race in 2010.
If I remember correctly, in 2010, it was overcast, damp, and a bit cooler.
Anyway, earlier in the week I started feeling a little "off".  I rarely get sick, but Wednesday and Thursday I had almost no voice, no sore throat, just "froggy" and unable to speak.  Thursday things started to break up and I had more voice, but also more coughing, clearing, and some snot to go along with it.  On Sunday, I felt ok, still hacky and hoarse.  I cannot say for sure this affected my performance at all.  I don't think it did, I did feel a little fatigued going into the race.  This might have been from doing the Tuesday Night Time Trial during the week, working out, and not getting enough sleep. 
Onto the race, as always, I got there early and got setup fairly quickly.  I saw a lot of people I know at this race and I had plenty of time to chat, since I got there so early.  That was nice.
I warmed up on the bike briefly, mainly to make sure that the bike was ok and to check the wind.  Bike was ok.  The wind did not seem too bad, but I will get back to that.  Then I went for a short run.
Onto the race
The wave was only my AG, which is nice because it gives you and idea of where you are during the race.  I started out kind of slow, intentionally and unintentionally.  The unintentional part was that I missed starting my watch, so I kind of messed with it while getting in the water, which put me at the back when I started swimming.  The water was choppy, and sighting was difficult, especially on the way because you are swimming into the sun.  I came out of the water 9th, of 26, in my AG.
Transition in a long run up, and I jogged it.  That is not the reason for my SLOW T1 time.  The slow time is due to having a little trouble getting out of my wetsuit and trouble getting socks on.  I am skipping biking and running in socks.  I tried running without socks on Monday night and there were no issues.  No more racing with socks on.  Unless I have problems at Minnetonka this weekend, then back to socks.
Once I sorted out my issues and got on the bike, I got a feeling for the heat and the wind.  The wind was pretty bad, I felt like I was getting pushed around a lot, that along with the horrible road surface, made for an unpleasant/uncomfortable ride.  I think my biggest mistake on the bike was not paying enough attention to my pedal stroke.  I think I was getting sloppy with my foot and knee position.  I think if I paid more attention, like I was doing at St. Anthony's and GW Du, I would have had a faster time.  Something I need to continue to think about is bike form, it makes a big difference, at least for me.
I did get off the bike fast and on the run fast.  The run is pretty well shaded, but still warm/hot.  The out part of the run is mostly uphill and the back is mostly downhill.  I felt ok on the run, not strong.  The first mile I felt very fatigued, but as it went on I started to feel better, which was a good thing.  There was a lot of people, volunteers, people who finished the race, and spectators cheering, which was really nice.  I felt I did a good job of concentrating on my run form.  Close to the finish I got passed by a guy, who happened to be in my AG, so I ended up missing 4th place in my AG by about 6 seconds.  Not a big deal.  Not sure I would have done anything about it had I known the guy was in my AG.  Typically, I am racing for myself and not concerned with my competition.  How I finish in my AG and overall, is how I finish.  That being said, I think with a better T1 and a little better concentration on the bike, I might have been able to squeeze in the Top 3 in my AG.  There is always next year.
After the race there was some time to wait until we could go into transition and get our stuff.  So I decided to get the free massage, which I had never done before.  I learned what I already knew.  I need to take more time for massage/use the roller when I do recovery, also probably stretch more.  I am tight and I can get cramps, mostly in my hamstrings and glutes.  So, stretching and massage needs to become something I do regularly.  Again, something I already knew, but something I need to do.
OptumHealth Performance puts on this race.  It is very well excuted and as far as I am concerned it went very smoothly.  My only recommendation would be cold water/cold beverages at the finish.  The water was warm and water was the only option.   Otherwise, everything was great.
This coming weekend is Lake Minnetonka Triathlon, which I last did in 2010.

2012 Manitou Sprint Triathlon Results
Swim (880 yards) = 15:26 (1:46/100yds)
T1 = 3:14
Bike (13.5mi) = 38:34 (21MPH)
T2 = 0:54
Run (3.1mi) = 23:37 (7:38/mi)
Total = 1:21:43
Overall = 76/308
AG = 5/27
Pace = 4:47/mi

2010 Manitou Sprint Triathlon Results
Swim (880 yards) = 15:22 (1:45/100yds)
T1 = 2:18
Bike (13.5mi) = 37:49 (21.4MPH)
T2 = 1:34
Run (3.1mi) = 23:40 (7:38/mi)
Total = 1:20:41
Overall = 100/345
AG = 13/38
Pace = 4:43/mi

Interesting to note, my St. Anthony's run time from 2011 and 2012 are exactly the same and my Manitou times from 2010 and 2012 are nearly the same.  Very strange.