The YMCA corporate challenge is a series of fundraising events to benefit local programs. It is sponsored by many local Businesses of all sizes and includes events ranging from darts up to triathlons.
In the duathlon and triathlon competitions each corporation may sponsor as many four person teams as it wishes. A four person team consists of one individual and a three person relay. At least one member of the relay must be female. The competitons are run as separate categories among another local event. This year the duathlon was part of the Ultrafit Outer Limits D/T.
SHC alumnus Super Dave and I participated this year in full Savage regalia.
AEP has had mixed lusk in the past few years fielding a competitive team. Our best chance for first place last year was foiled when I flatted halfway through a short bike leg (we salvaged second place when I rode out the flat). This year was not a strong year for us and we finished mid pack among all divisions and pretty low in ours.
So, that aside, I can say that I had my best bike time trial results ever. The bike couse started at Shelly Materials on Haul road off of 104 in South Columbus. It followed 104 south to rt 665 to Hibbs road and back up 104. Distance was billed as 15 miles but I clocked over 16. The course was fast as can be. It was flat with a very minor southerly wind which caused you to push hard on the way out and fly on the return. My odometer was a slightly off caliber due to a wheel change but I believe my average was exactly 24 mph.
The official posted splits have my bike time at 39.51. There were around 300 total competitors counting elites, mens and womens age groups, cruisers and corporate challenge teams. My bike time was bested by a total of 5 individuals, three of which were elites like the Hastings brothers. Of course the comparisons are not completely fair, I did not run 2 mile first or swim .5 mile (and I didn't have a disc wheel or dorky helmet either).
So, I felt pretty good about this, certainly much better than I did after the states last week.
I'll get another try in a few weeks for the Wendys Triathlon.
