The excitement was palpable at the NYRR Sprint Tri as athletes scurried around and greeted one another behind the Queens Aquatic Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park before the 7:00 a.m. start. Nervous triathletes set up their gear in the transition area while U2’s “Beautiful Day” boomed from the loudspeakers. The temperature was rising and the humidity could be felt, but there was still a slight chill to the morning air.