Login
Reston Area Triathletes RATS.net Logo

Race Result

Racer: Mike Guzek
Race: Reston Triathlon
Date: Sunday, September 12, 2004
Location: Reston, VA
Race Type: Triathlon - International Distance
Age Group: Male 25 - 29



Race Report:



There was no line at the Port-a-Jons, life was good. It was 5:45 a.m. and I was at T-2 finishing up my transition area when I realized I had a chance to go right into the bathroom with no waiting. I jumped at this rare find on a triathlon morn. There is a certain buzz at this triathlon that is absolutely unique to any race I have ever done. Perhaps it’s just because it’s a local race for me. But I think most racers have the same impression. This truly is a local race with some competitors who have done this race for nearly 2 decades, without every missing a race. I saw several friends who I had not seen since last year’s race while making my way through transition and the race felt much more like a training day than a race day. The sun was shining and I felt good as I made my way down to the water for the 7:00 a.m. wave 1 start.

I didn’t expect too much out of the swim since my swim training over the last few weeks has been lacking. I still hoped that I might be able to latch onto the “second group” of swimmers…the ones that are a step below the leaders. A few minutes into the swim I realized I had gotten myself into the wrong group of swimmers and all the action was pulling away. Over time I managed to leapfrog my way up to about 20 yards behind a group that I wanted to get into. I could never quite bridge up to them and spent most the swim after the turn around trying to get into the group. I ended up coming out a little behind them and was pleasantly surprise to see I posted a 23:20 which was only 8 seconds slower than when I did this race two years ago.

I wasn’t out to win the race but when someone said “you’re 4 minutes down!” I thought to myself, “that sucks.” The race just started and I am already 4 minutes down. I got on the bike and spent the next 15 minutes trying to catch my breath. I was passed by a few folks including the orange rocket, Tom Crandall. We rode together for about half a lap before he slipped away. I came out of the water around 10th place but I netted a gain of a few spots and finished the bike in 7th place.

With a lightening fast 36 second transition I started the run in 6th place (in the wave). At this point I am the fox and there are a bunch of barking hounds charging from behind. One by one, a who’s who’s of Reston’s finest triathletes cruised by. When the dust settled I had lost 10 spots and finished 17th overall with a time of 2:08:39. Out on the run I was past by my best training bud Brady. As always there was some encouraging words exchanged and I once again got that “training day” feel by being surrounded by so many friends.

After the race, I hung out with all sorts of great folks. This race for me is always 50% about racing and 50% about socializing with friends. I got a chance to put names with email addresses and calves with run splits. In the end, I took second in the 25-29 AG behind Brady who took first. I was pretty please with my race, It was by no means a break out race, but I was left with some positives that I can be happy with.

My parents made the trip up for North Carolina to see my race and that made the race very special as well. Growing up, my dad new all the nuances of the sports I played and would yell out “suggestions” from the stands or give me coaching tips on the ride home. He doesn’t know too much about triathlon so he has no choice but to sit there and smile : ) Perhaps I should have taken up cricket or curling as a kid.