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NORWALK, Conn. Norwalks Nick Logan was determined to race next year in London at Triathlon World Championship. Logan achieved his goal the hard way at last weekends USA Triathlon National Championships in Burlington, Vt.
Logan, 31, raced Saturday in the Olympic distance championship. He finished 178th overall and 30th in his age group for those eligible for London. Only the Top 25 in the age group qualified for next years race in London.
On Sunday, Logan officially punched his ticket to London. In the sprint distance event, Logan finished 60th overall and ninth in his age group. There is still a chance Logan will race in London at the Olympic distance event, his preferred event. The most important thing, however, is that he earned his way there.
It was all worth it in the end, said Logan, who is also a triathlon coach for Pacific Swim Bike Run in Stamford and competes for Endurance Films Racing. This is a once in a lifetime chance. I was able to race for Team USA in 2011, and that was a great experience. Now, I get to do it outside the country.
Logans plan was to compete in both events. He knew that with a trip to London on the line, the competition would be tough. He went for it hard in Saturdays race but came up just short. I didnt hold anything back, Logan said. I gave it my all. He finished in 2:10:36 for the race that consisted of a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run.
With barely 24 hours to recuperate, Logan raced again Sunday. Im known in the area to race a little too much, he said. I just enjoy the competition.
He finished in 1:04:53 on the course that included a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and 5-kilometer run. It was a sprint to the finish line with one other guy in my age group, Logan said. That was not fun. We both pushed it at the end, and both ended up on the floor. It was one of those finishes you only see once in a while.
Logan played football in high school in Queens, N.Y., and rugby in college. He started triathlons eight years ago and has completed four Ironmans. He is also a race director for Team Mossman, which produces several races in Fairfield County.
It has taken a long time to get to this level, Logan said. When I started, I was into bodybuilding and powerlifting and I was 60 or 70 pounds heavier. I saw pictures of some pictures of triathletes in their 50s and 60s and compared them to pictures of bodybuilders at the same age. I was like, 'Who do I want to look like when I grow up?' It was a no-brainer.
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