Drew Streip: Flintstone Triathlon #winning

It is with a much happier outlook than last time that I report my victory at the 2011 Flintstone Triathlon!

Where to begin? For starters, I was grateful at 6:30 a.m. to know that I would not be skulking around the race site alone, thanks to the friends I made last year. Life is a much happier prospect in general when you don't insulate yourself, and are surrounded by people who are cooler than you.

It's also fun to know that other competitors are trying specifically to beat me. I'm not sure whether it's respectful rivalry because we're on a level playing field, or because they think I'm a jackass for wearing a pink tri suit or, most recently, a mankini.

Scoping out 2nd place Tom Knopp, a 3-time Kona finisher.

Either way, I've never been "the hunted." Pressure, schmessure. It's a 50-minute race (48:47, actually, but who's counting?)

I didn't use a watch, but by my estimate, I biked a few minutes faster and ran a minute or two slower. Put that down to a rockin' new bike and the fact that six miles still constitutes a "long run" for me. For what it's worth, I led the entire two-mile run course, so I focused less on churning my legs into butter, and more on maintaining good form and posture. And I'll be damned if, every time I gave myself a form check, I didn't run easier and quicker.

I missed my own course record by two seconds, but I also avoided a sprint finish. I'm just happy to be running and competing again without injury.

Thanks to: my dad for taking some great pictures and supporting me, even when I act like a brat; Liz, Drew and Tony for being awesome friends; Denny for the bike and the great race management; Ken and Scenic City Multisport for the great race and venue choice.