Splash-N-Dash

What a great race! I didn't participate at all in the splash-n-dash series last summer, stupid me. I love these races. Saturdays race happened to be the long course race; 1000 yrd. swim followed by a 3 mile run and you finish up with a 500 yrd swim. 2 years ago I won of these events outright, but I can't remember if it was a long one or a short one. (The short race is a 300 yrd swim, 2 mile run, 500 yrd swim) This race was made even better by the fact the ChasquiTristan wanted to give it a shot. Kid hasn't run a step in 2 months and decides to to jump into the fray, youth is spoiled on the young. I hope we get his take on the race as well. For not training, not being familiar with the format, and not being a distance swimmer, he RIPPED IT!!
Anyway, we show up at the Henderson Multi Gen facility at a shade after 6 am, gun goes at 7:30. Registration is first come first served. If you are not in the first 28, you have to go in the second heat. Not an option. I was #3 and Tristan #4. Now it was time set up transition, stretch, and see who is showing up. We had the perfect spot for transition. I noticed a couple of age group swimmers. These cats are always a wild card. You don't know if they just started swimming or if they are the next distance swimming phenom in the making. These 2 were loosely affiliated with the latter. I noticed Danny Schultz on deck. He is a couple of years younger than me, a very good swimmer, and a graduate of the U of U. Can't hate on him too bad for much. Saw a couple other friends who were doing realys with their kids and or significant others. I was suprised at the turnout. With a about 300-400 yrds of warm up, I was ready to get going. I tried to get as close to Danny's lane as I could, but still be able to swim with Tristan. For the swim, we swim 2 to a lane, one on each side of the black line. Pre-race brief done.........GOOOO!!! I managed to stay with Danny for the first 100 yrds, then he was gone. I saw the 2 kids take off like rockets. I wouldn't see them until the finish. Had a strong first swim, and Tristan on trailed by about 20 yrds. I think I came out at about a 12 minute 1000, pretty dang good. Another young kid was just in front of me but I passed him 1/2 mile into the run. I thought the breeze would keep things cool for the run, NOT. I had a pretty good transition. When your heartbeat is at about 160 and you stop activity and try to concentrate on fine motor skills like putting shoes on, it is tough. I was gone. Run went super. The Chasqui Shuffle was getting me where I needed to go. I looped the park off Paseo Verde and started back to the pool. Uphill and I stayed strong, trying to lenghten my stride. I could barely see my friend Danny, I didn't have a chance of catching him. Just my race. Finished the run, jumped in to swim the final 500 yrd. Made that without much difficulty. Ended up 4th overall behind the 2 young kids and Danny, first in my age group. It took abut 41 minutes, official time probably comes up about Wed. 2 minutes faster than I had done it 2 years ago. Pretty happy with the outcome. I think I can still catch the final 2 races of the series in Aug and Sep. Looking forward to it big time!!