Last weekend I got to work out some of the kinks before my big race in three weeks… Ironman St. George.
I couldn’t miss out on another Red Rock Company event so I signed up for Marquee International triathlon. It was a huge triathlon weekend in Tempe, with the USAT Collegiate National Championships going on Thursday and Friday and the Leadman/Marquee triathlons on Sunday. I used this day as a tuneup/post-tax season celebration. No more working on Saturdays!
Racing locally is so much fun. Being in the sport for three years, I’ve gotten to know tons of triathletes. I spent most of the morning catching up with friends after spending the last couple months trapped in the office. It was great mingling with civilization again.
Most of the top dogs were racing Leadman. I wasn’t mentally prepared to take on that race. I told myself I was just going to enjoy myself Sunday, work out any kinks, go fast, and have a blast.
The water temperature of the Tempe Town Lake was perfect. My wave (pro and men 34 and under) was pretty small so their was minimal contact throughout the entire swim. I exited the water 23rd overall.
Thanks to my friends Mindy and Kris for these great pictures throughout the race:
I made up 14 positions on the bike and was now 9th overall.
Crazy heckler guy along the course calling me a lard ass:
On the run, I worked myself up to 5th overall, and 3rd amateur!
Awards with my ONE Elite teammates! We all won! (Leadman athletes got much cooler awards)
And… check out what my super fans gave me at the finish line… more Linsey Corbin shrine memorabilia!!!
Next up: Ironman St. George on May 4th. My girl will be there and I gotta impress her. I’m ready to kick butt.
Elliot Kawaoka 
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