My Uncle Gary died this week, he use to supervise me while I rode my bike around my grandma's neighborhood. He was the most genuinely nice person I have ever met, I dedicate this race to him.
*Portrait #1: Evan, his beard, me, and my two big-papa-pumps. :)
*Family portrait #2: My dad set a new personal best for pictures and dinner. He took a lot of great pics and prepared some wild caught trout.
In 2004 I did this race as one of my first triathlons and it was tough, it still is a tough race. The difficulty is what I like about it. When I won here in 2009 I was in the best shape of my whole life, thought I was invincible, and that race has always been the benchmark of my fitness. It seemed like I couldn't prove to myself that I was a better athlete now unless I raced here again. My friends and family were with me, last year's defending champ was racing, and I was just super excited to be back after 4 years to see how far I had come.
If you'd like to read about the 2009 race , feel free.
*The race had great awards and prizes. You should have heard the "ooohs" and "ahhs" when they said the winner won a "Growler" from the local brewery. Not really my cup of tea, or in this case, tankard of beer.
Evan did a relay team and crushed it on the bike. I didn't think it was possible for someone to ride a bike that fast.
*After riding like a Tour de France rider during the relay, it's as if Evan is saying, "Ehh this is what I do." Courtesy Dylan Brown, Independent Record.
Aubrey won the Olympic distance race. He is one of the fastest and most pure runners I have ever seen. Congratulations to him.
*Aubrey killin' it on the run. Courtesy Dylan Brown, Independent Record.
I was pretty happy to share the race with my racing friends, I had probably two dozen people racing with me who I am good friends with. That is really fun to have that many people racing together. It was also nice that the 2012 defending champion, Sean Phelps, was racing. I enjoy the competition level that current-champion vs. former-champion(s) brings with it.
Sean is a super swimmer and I joked before the race with him about "working together" on the swim. "Come on Sean, you help me, I help you, we will all be friends after." ha ha. The swim started with a run down the beach and into the water. I found myself in the lead for the first half of the swim asking myself, "Uh, where the heck is Sean?" He was behind me using my draft to "work together."
*Swim start
*Stretching out
*Making a break for it with Sean Phelps.
*Leaders sorting it all out.
*Sean Phelps putting it down on the swim, I'm in his draft.
*Swim exit
*Put your helmet on...
*...Then get the heck out of here.
*"In the sprint event — which consists of a 1K swim, 20K bike and 5K run — it was Missoula’s Bryan Brosious that crossed in front, clocking a 1:03:54." Courtesy Dylan Brown, Independent Record.
*Let's pedal, lil' legs.
*Copyright Catherine Mckillips
It seemed like it took forever, but I made it to the turn-around thankful for some rest and the downhill back to the lake. I took time checks to the top 5 and I was in a good position. We all zoomed back to the lake riding our bikes over the road undulations like a bike rodeo, and readied our bike legs for the run. I forgot how hard this bike course was, ignorance was bliss, but I secretly loved the hard ride.
*Copyright Catherine Mckillips
*Evan's uncle did a great job as MC, he was a voice in the sky. I used his updates to gauge the chase group's progress.
*Bike to run transition, feet safely on the ground.
The run here is also tough, I have had trouble with it in past years. In 2009 however, I ran my best split and felt like I was floating over the road. The first part of the run is around the lake, then we wind through some dirt roads, a straight stretch on the main road occupies the middle mile, then a winding path takes us to the finish. I saw a lot of my friends who were racing the Olympic distance out on the run course as our races over lapped and cheering each other on helped.
*Copyright Catherine Mckillips
*Bunny on course!
*Look at the volunteer: "Toro, toro, oleeee!" or she may be salsa dancing.
*Finishing up
Remember, I was here to test myself, to prove to myself that I'm more fit in 2013 than I was in 2009. My run this year didn't feel as good, I could feel myself easing up as I got tired. Ironically, I ran faster this year than I did in 2009. It may not have been pretty, but it was effective.
My swim was faster this year, my bike was about 30 seconds faster in 2009, and my run was faster this year. Plus, my head to toe lime green of this year was way cooler than 2009. Overall, I took about 2 minutes off my course record, had a lot of fun, and was really happy to prove to myself that even if I didn't feel like a million bucks, as I did in 2009, I was still going faster.
*"Bryan Brosious celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the Spring Meadow Sprint Triathlon." -Dylan Brown, Independent Record
*I could hear my mom cheering me on during the run. Seriously, wonder where I get my youthful appearance from?
*...Same place I get my legit outfit styling from.
*Check it out, a real life QUADZILLA was at the race! First we stand like this and smile...
*Then we stand like this and think to ourselves "Yeah, 'deez boys be soooo cool."
After the race there was a really fun BBQ with black bean burgers, perfect, and lots of awards and prizes. It was great to talk and catch up with all my friends. A big thank you to my family and friends, Team Great Divide, all the volunteers, and those who worked so hard to organize the race and awards. It was a fantastic day, thanks to all of you for your help and hard work.
PS: A very big thank you to those brave Americans who back in 1776 said, "It's been great, but we are going to do our own thing now." :) Happy birthday, America. I love this country.
![Hammer Nutrition](http://www.hammernutrition.com/affiliates/66515" target="_new"><img src="http://www.hammernutrition.com/images/common/affiliate.jpg" width="170" height="183" border="0"></a>)
