yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.....almost the last out of the water. But ...thats me!! Swim a comfortable and easy swim. Just needed to do my pace and survive the swim. I did better than last year by a few minutes and was also way more comfortable in the water so that is an improvement.

improve speed by doing it more and learning how to do it right.

Had my t-zone all set up nice so things went good. of course.....:) there werent many bikes left so mine was easy to find!!! :) suit got stuck at the ankles, got to work on that.

I didnt use the shoes/pedal trick this time either. The ground conditions werent conducitve for it this time either. Thinking that is something for sprints.

body glide might help. overall I am happy with the 't' time and feelings

'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, the times that tried men's souls' This is the best way to describe the bike. Thankfully this was a flat course because my left calf cramped up in the first mile. Tried everything to ease it up but it was singing the whole time. Found a certain movement of my leg wouldnt hurt too much so did that but this also put more stress on the other leg.
I really didnt think I was going to be able to finish. Had some negative thoughts which I have been so good at defeating.
However, on the flip side, my overall speed was good and the leg didnt get much worse. I was able to over come this so I guess it made me stronger.

Hopped the bike and the calf seized up. Hobbled to the racks and changed over, just figured I would walk if I had to.

speedlaces

crossed the timing mat and then saw a rest room and had to have a quick visit. so this 'aaahhh' moment's cost was about a minute but it had a reason beyond the obvious. It gave me a reason to rest and walk for a minute which seemed to have a effect on the calf. But more importantly it delayed me for a n important minute or so which lined allowed me to link up with a very nice partner for the run.
The first 1/4 mile was easing up the calf which surprisd the hell out of me. Ended up running the entire distance with a nice lady. We chit chatted about family, triathlons, ourselves, etc so the time flew by. She and her husband have done a few marathons so that was cool to hear all about.
Just a real pleasant run. quite humid but not too hot. last year was wicked hot. Very happy with a sub 1 hr. 6 miles never mind off the bike.


nothing.

th sky began to shower.shook hands with my new friend. Seems odd now, and did then too...spending an hour going thru a 6 mi. run, should have given her a big hug. I like hugs. Just the.....damn...crap from this current life situation of mine and not being able to give 'sweaty hugs', having made to feel like crap to 'bond'w/ a friend,...ach cant do this.
I did thank her from my heart for all that she gave me.

ended up just finding a pleasant swale to lie down on and let the rain sprinkle on me. god, such a pleasing feeling to that. Just let it wash all over me. It stoned me to my soul.

This was a pleasantly challenging race. Made a new friend. AND best of all!! cut 25 minutes off of last years time!!!! :) :) never thought I would even come close to a 2:30 oly. now on to Cranberry country in a month and see what happens.




FIRM did better on this race. The roads had taken hell from the winters snows so they could have been better but that isnt FIRM's fault. There were plenty of volunteers cheering us on. Plenty of water stations. AND best of all!! the run miles were marked!!! yipee!!!!