Miami Man - TriathlonOlympic

Nice swim with lots of room for improvement. I managed to glide and feel slippery but I must breathe better. My navigation improved 10 fold. I also felt OK about drafting.

I must place myself better on the start. It seems that I get swallowed up at the start. I got kicked, run over, pushed and so on. Maybe that's normal.

Long run out of transition. I was positioned in the 1st rack of the Oly side. To exit T1 I had to run about 400m from the water into transition and then at least 150m through the Oly and HI racks. I decided to run with bike in one hand and shoes in the other. Staff held my bike outside the T1 mats and I put my shoes on....and I'm off.

nothing at my currrent level. It went as smooth as it could go.

Best cycling performance I've had. Training with the Sinse and the boys was the reason I pulled this off as I did.

Saw many riders with flats. More than I've ever seen. Maybe 8 or 9 riders.

Police were GREAT! They were actually cheering and inspiring me. That is the kind of Police force that I envisioned. Thanks guys.

Nothing........

Same as T1. Long run with shoes in hand. Legs hurting. Almost left without my Andante hat.

Nothing...............

Volunteers were great and the water stations were plentyful. Janice Olson was Awesome in cheering me on and getting me some Amino Vital that I mistook with water and poured 2 cups over my head. In the blistering sun I alsmost got stuck when the sugar dried. It felt like those days of being a kid in the Thearter when walking out your shoes would get stuck to the floor. Thats how I felt from Water station at Mi3 to the next one. It was pretty funny and a mistake that I seem to keep making.


run faster.................

walked around and layed out. Got a leg massage from Celine- Mauricio's sister. It was great.

Hydrated myself with more Amino Vital.


30 extra pounds around my waist.


Aside from 2 incidents with some nasty volunteers (1 involving Martha and Mari and the other involving me) the race was great. Volunteers (with the exception of the 2 mentioned hereinabove) were awesome. Everyone was friendly and the race atmospherre lasted from 5AM all the way through 3PM when we left the site.

Ran into many old friends and new friends. They are listed in no particular order:

Sue from BT- Congrats Sue on your race and thanks for being friendly and hospitable. I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to seeing you again at St. A's. Also, thanks for putting "BT" on my calf. I got asked over 20 times what it stood for. I assume we will have some new members shortly.

Jessie from BT- Also Congrats and thanks for being nice. You rock with a 3rd place finish. I also look forward to seeing you again at St. A's.

Janelle- Congrats and nice to have met you.

Janice Olson- You rock for driving down 2 days in a row to hang out yesterday and to work for free today. It's people like you that make these races possible, fun and safe. I hope some day to reverse the roles and be your "waterboy". Thanks again for cheering for me and I promise to buy more stuff from BPB. You rock!!!!!!!! Also, thanks for the VaVaVa- Vino. I shall enjoy.

Mauricio and Gloria at Andante. Not only is Mao the BEST mechanic around, but he and his sisters are good people. His love for the sport and his willingness to help demands respect and admiration. For that I will wear and promote Andante Bikes as much as I can. You exemplify what the sport is about!!!!!!!!

Ramiro Cortes- "The Ramster" Congratulations on a great race and an impressive HI time. Thanks for training with me over the last 3 months. I look forward to 2006.

Alfredo Meneses- Same as above.

Keeks- My bubba. My friend. Don't retire yet babe. Save it for when your ham is really hurt. I luv ya dude.

AND last but NOT LEAST...................
FRANK COLLADA- My Ambassador of Quan! My Sinse, My Coach, My Friend, My Inspiration in this sport, My Mentor, My Sultan, My Objective, the ONLY Ironman I have the confidence to talk to, My Broham, Thee Chairman of the Board, the Numero Uno Honcho, The Big Cheese.

Words can not express the fun, the laughs, the challenges, the revitalization, the lifestyle (the list goes on.....) that I have experienced over the past 6 months hanging out and chasing you. You did NOT have to let me in and yet you did. In an athletic class that far exceeds any long term achievements I could have, you have let me train with you and taken time out of your and your fams life to teach me. For that I am greatful.

I look forward to MANY years of Tri-ing and training with you and hope that someday I can repay the favor. You are everything I stated above. You are the reason why I finished 4 races this year when my plans were to not even do one.

My victory today is dedicated to you!

Thanks bubba- I Love ya.