On 8/4/2021 over 100 people were signed up for race 3 of the Southern Tier Triathlon race series. Around 1 PM the race director sent out emails and facebook messages that Cassadaga Lake had been closed down due to bacteria so our triathlon turned into a duathlon. We were all a bit disappointed but as most athletes do, we made the best of it.
I got there fairly early, and was talking with the race director, Mark Wilson, and he said if you are going to win one of these tonight's your night, no swim means your strong run and bike give you a great chance. I remember walking away saying dont put that kind of pressure on me... As the race time got closer I started looking around at others I knew and thought to myself, if not for the swim I should be able to beat the few people that beat me, perhaps I do have a chance at winning.
At 5:45 PM we lined up and Mark said 3...2...1....go! Right away 6-7 people took off to the front, I tried to hang with them for a bit but looking around they were all pretty your compared to me and I knew I was not going to hold 5:20 per mile pace so I slowed to a pace I knew I could push but make sure I dont blow up in the 1st leg of the race.
After I got through transition and on the bike, I quickly passed a few people and with in 2 miles I could only see 1 person in front of me, I was pretty sure but not certain that the person I saw was 1st place. Soon I was able to pass him and rode hard not knowing if I was chasing someone or if I was being chased. I just rode as hard as I could until I got to the route 60 climb ( a 3 mile climb ) I did climb hard but knew of at least 2 people that could catch me on the climb. Sure enough with about a mile to go one of the people I was concerned did indeed catch me and passed me. I knew I was stronger runner but how much could I make up if I let him get to far away from me. I decided to push with everything I had and hope my legs would have enough for the run. I ended up passing him back at the top of the hill and we went back and forth for the last mile to transition. We came out of transition together, he hung with me for a good 1/4 mile before I pulled away and never let up.
As I turned the last corner I looked back and was all by myself. For the first time I had seen the ribbon all my to break, which I did! I ended up finishing over 2 minutes ahead of 2nd place. I cant say I was shocked but the feeling of coming across 1st and getting told how great my race was I will never forget.
It was very warm that day and I was so very thankful for my mix of Hammer Sustained Energy and Hammer Perpetuem to keep me hydrated during the race and then Hammer Recoverite and Tissue Rejuvenator for recovery.
