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 Swim
Comments: Here the Swimming Course:  The water temp. was in 74oF...perfect...not too cold...not too warm...and...the swimming ocean was along the beach...but...first we had to swim to deep water till the 1st orange bouy and turn right and swim along the beach...there were in total 6 bouys...and...we had to swim keeping them in our right...and from the 6th orange bouy back towards shore to the Swim Exit... When the horn went off...we ran to the water...and...jumped into the ocean...there were strong waves and current... Here a view when our Wave started...  We had to swim against the waves and currents...and....it really was a hard swimming till the 1st bouy...when finally got there...rounded the bouy to the right without problem...and....just when I'm starting again my swimming...I felt somebody smacking my legs...and...suddenly...grabbed and pulled my left ankle....grrrrrrr....I'm sorry....but...I had to kick very hard at that point...and continued with my constante stroke...from here till the last bouy was a real washine mashine...up and down...2 to 4 fts waves...it was hard to keep straigh and too see the bouys...Yikes...!!! But I kept it up....never stopped...I felt very confident and strong....only wishing to get as soon as possible to the last bouy before the Classic Distance starts... Just in the last bouy was a great relieve...the waves pushing us to the Swim Exit... When my hands touched sand...got up and ran very fast to the Swim Exit Arch...and...at the same time removing first my wet-suits till my hips...then googles, swimming cap and wax ear-plugs and put them inside the cap... From the Swim Exit till Transition was a run over soft sand...not easy...BTW...the run from the Swim Exit to Transition was included in the Swimming Time... Here running from the Swimming Exit to Transition  In my way to Transition...found my Buddy rinsing in the portable showers installed just outside Transitions Area...I didn't stop...and...when my Buddy saw me...he ran behind me and reached me...and...said to me..."I'm going to be faster than you"...and...passed me...LOL What would you do differently?: Continue with my trainings...I know that I'm better in long OWS distances than short ones...and...I did it great...!!!  Transition 1
Comments: A fast transition as usual....the 2nd fastest in my AG... I don't have the Overall information but It must be in the top 100 cuz the fastest in my AG was the winner Female Overall...Linda Robb...and...the difference with her was only 36 secs... Just in Transition Area...I ran as fast as possible till my Rack Area...reaching my Buddy...telling him "See ya in the Finish Line"...and....passing him...till I got in my Rack Area...LOL When I got to my spot...I noticed there were a lot of bikes but not my girlfriend Marylou's Bike...and...I said to me..."Wuaooo Marylou made it" First put helmet and sunglasses and at the same time pull my wet-suits fast...put biking shoes...took bike and ran fast out of Transition...BTW...a long run till the Bike Exit...and...from there to the mount area... What would you do differently?: Practice and practice...  Bike
Comments: Here the Bike Course:  The Bike Course is a relatively flat 24.8 miles course crossing over Miami Beach's famous Causeways...the MacArthur and Julia Tuttle...with 4 bridges to climb...Yikes...but...with beautiful and very scenic views of the Intercostal Waterway, downtown Miami and Miami Beach... It was a great bike ride even all the circunstances that We had to deal with... First...Strong winds coming NEE...then 4 bridges to climb twice each one that means 8 climbs in total...2 big bridges and 2 middle size bridges, a lot of bike traffic...and the bad conditions of the roads...dodging bumps and potholes... Even all the conditions I try to kept a good average and taking advantages when I was going down hill from the bridges...and...off course with the tailwinds in my favor... Just in the mount area...jumped into my bike as usual...and...started to crank very hard heading to west passing a lot of people...I was smocking...for almost 1/2 mile...till...the ramp to access to the famous MacArthur Causeway...and from there...to start climbing the 1st bridge...the 1st one was not too bad...middle size...got at the top fast passing more people and then going down bridge at more than 35 mph...and...it's here when you start having the scenic view...on your right...the famous Islands..."Star Island"..."Palm Island"..."Hibiscus Island" where the famous and rich live in their mansions...    And on your left the Port of Miami with the view of these beautiful Cruise Line Ships...   Then a very rough and flat section...passing more people and at the same time dodging bumps and potholes...LOL From here...we headed to climb the 2nd bridge...a big and long one....just after the famous "Parrot Jungle"...WoooooHooooo...!!!! At this point I took 1 of my Gels, 2 Endurolytes and 2 Sportlegs with water... Got at the top fast again passing a lot of people...and...then again down bridge at more than 35 mph....Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo....!!!  At this point...the leaders of the Classic Distance...Chris Lieto followed for Chris "Macca" passed me...they were smocking fast...but...it was very exciting to see them in action very close... From here we had to turn right to the ramp to acces the Julian Causeway to go to the 3rd and then 4th bridges to climb...Yikes !!! the 3rd one is other big one...when I got at the top...I said to me..."Enjoy the view...the Intercostal Ocean with spectacualrs boats coming and going..." and then again down bridge...Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo....!!!  This is the kind of Bike Course that if you are not really very well prepared/trained can kill your legs for your run...but...I always say to me..."I love this kind of challenges" LOL Going back to Transition was a little tough with headwinds/crosswinds...but...I kept it up...keeping a great average... till the desmount area...doing it like usual...like the Pro/Elites but keeping my shoes on...jumped off my bike and ran to the entrance as fast as possible passing a lot of people that were walking with their bikes... What would you do differently?: Continue with my trainings.... Transition 2
Comments: Other fast transition as usual....the 2nd fastest in my AG... I don't have the Overall information...but...it must be in the top 100...as I mentioned before...the fastest in my AG was the winner Female Overall...Linda Robb...and...the difference with her was only 8 secs...no bad...!!! When I got in my rack area...I noticed that my girlfriend Marylou's bike was not in the rack and either her bag...and...I said to me..."Oh No...What happened to her" Racked bike...changed shoes...removed helmet...took my hat and bottle of water and ran as fast as possible out of Transition...BTW...a long run till the Run Exit... What would you do differently?: Practice and practice...  Run
Comments: Here the Run Course:  The Run Course is a very flat out and back 6.2 miles, alongside Miami Beach's Art Deco District...along Ocean Dr. Boulevard and the beach...over a paved trail...some brick sections...and...a long wood deck section...finishing on the white soft sand of South Beach...Yikes...!!! The only thing that I didn't like of this Run Course is that you have to deal with a lot of people traffic...I mean...tourists...parents with kids and strollers, old couples etc...etc...all walking in the middle of your run...LOL Just out of Transition Area...running not too fast and not too slow...put Bid# and hat...took 2 Endurolytes and 2 Sportlegs with some water from my bottle...and tossed some over my head and neck...and...start increasing my speed passing a lot of people... Here is Velo smocking...  We had to run on the left side of the trail...there were cones in the middle of the trail with signs that said "Keep Left"...but...just when I was approching to the wood deck section...I don't know why and how this happened...and...who started this...but...suddenly people coming in our way....WTH...!!!...and...we had to cross and pass to the right side... Here the organizers or volunteers screwed up...nobody controlling this sectiona and situation... On my way to the U-turn...saw one girlfriend of my AG...and...I said to me...Ok it's time to push more harder...got at the U-turn...and...increased more and more my speed...passing tons of people...and...I said to me..."You need to pass that girl...It's your target and goal" And again just when the wood deck section finished...we had to cross and pass to the left side of the paved trail...WHT...!!! Continued with my run keeping a good/constante pace...passing a lot of people...and...just aproching to the mile 4 saw from far this girl...and...pushed more and more till I reached her...and...passed her... I knew that I was doing great at this point cuz she is faster in the swim and bike... Then...got at the mile 5...and...started to increase speed...till the mile 6 when I sprinted very hard till the Finish Line... At one point We had to turn to left to head to the beach...passing over a small hill and straith to the Finish Line...all over the white soft sand...Yikes...perfect after a long run to re-kill your legs...!!! LOL A good friend... "Kenoman" was there in this turn...and...gave me five...really nice...cuz...it was like He gave me the energy to re-finish...and...I ran so fast..keeping it up...and...feeling strong till the Finish Line...!!! Thanks Kenoman...!!! Here is Velo is the last sandy section heading to the Finish Line...Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo....!!!  Here...Velo approching to the Finish Line at the small hill to the final shot.....   Getting ready for her usual last move...sneaking other good Final behind this Guy...and...beating him...  What would you do differently?: Continue with my trainings... Post race
Warm down: Just at the Finish Line...a volunteer gave to me a Finisher Medal...other gave to me a bottle of water while other removed my timing chip from my left ankle... Here the pretty Finisher Medal:  Went directly to the Food Tent...and...took a bowl with fruit salad and a bagel...Velo was starving...LOL Saw some friends in the crowd...talked with them... Went to Transition Area to collect/pack all my Race Stuff and to see if my Buddy was around...and I couldn't find him...then...went back to the Finish Line Area to check Results...finding that... I got 4th place in my AG...WoooooooooHoooooooooo...PODIUM...!!! Age Group Female 45-49: 4th / 11 Female Overall: 40th / 118 Overall: 195th / 444 (Relay Teams NOT included) Total Time: 2h 48m 04s The Winner in my AG was "Linda Robb"...also She was 1st Female Overall...beating all the Pro/Elite Females and 21th Overall... She is the best Female Triathlete of Florida and #1 in the National USAT Rank in my AG... After that went to Transition Area to try to find my Buddy...and...found him collecting/packing all his Race Stuff...and...We decided to take all to the car and came back to the Award Ceremony... Unfortunate...when We went back to the Award Ceremony...my Age Group was already awarded...Oh Noooooo...Awwwwww....I missed it...I was very dissapointed...I didn't have the chance to be in the Podium with one of the best Female Trathlete of Florida...Linda Robb...S#$%*!@#%^&*t Went to get my Award and at least Buddy took me this Pic with my Award...happy...but...NO SMILE...LOL  And here the pretty neat Award:  And here the 2 Medals...  BTW...I found out that Linda Robb missed the Award Ceremony too...She was checking out of the hotel...LOL Also...my girlfriend Marylou sent me a text message...finding out that She quited the Race during the Swimming Leg...I felt very bad for her...cuz...she is usually in the Top 5 of our AG... Before We left..We took a shower and change clothes to go for lunch...and...took some Pics around Trasnsitions Area too...   Here all proud of me and more happy with my Medals...LOL   Here are the Results: http://results.active.com/pages/page.jsp?eventID=1845180&pubID=3 What limited your ability to perform faster: The rough conditions in the OWS...the strong winds in the bike...and...traffic in the Run Course... Event comments: Excellent Event...very well organized...a lot of volunteers...plenty of water stations...Great Post-Race Food and Event... Last updated: 2010-02-22 12:00 AM
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United States
MESP -Michael Epstein Sports Production, Inc. (www.mesp.com)
70F / 21C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 195/444
Age Group = Female 45-49
Age Group Rank = 4/11
The Nautica South Beach Triathlon for the third year in a row took place in the world famous South Beach, Florida...to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Holding for first time an Olympic Distance (0.9 mile Swim / 24.8 miles Bike / 6.2 miles Run) beside the Classic Distance (0.5 mile Swim / 19 miles Bike / 4 miles Run)...with around 500 participants for the Olympic and around 1500 participants for the Classic Distance...and...a total of 2000 triathletes...
The Classic Distance had the usual Professional participants...like the five-times Ironman champion Chris "MACCA" McCormack and Chris Lieto...and...tons of Celebrities...even...I didn't know any of them...LOL
Friday April 9th:
Washed/waxed/lubed/tuned bike...changed wheels for Race Wheels...collected/prepared all my Race Stuff...
We (Buddy and me) had a full Carbo load dinner: Garlic Seasoned Pasta with Shrimps, Broccoli, Carrots and Corn...very Yummmmmmy...!!!
Saturday April 10th:
Slept till late 8:00 am...Nice...!!!
Had our usual Saturday full breakfast: OJ...eggs, bacon, toasted bagel with cream cheese, slices of turkey, salame and brie on top...and...coffee with milk...Yummmmmmmmmmy...!!!
Packed our swimming stuff and left from home around 11:00 am to South Beach to pick-up our Race Packages, check Expo, for an OWS and lunch...
Got our Race Packages...the yellow wrist bands to use during the Race and to get acces to Transition Area and timming chips...
My Buddy got the Bid# 443 / White Cap and I got the Bid# 590 / White Cap too...
Checked the Finish Line Area and the Award Stand...and...went to check the Expo...but went to check in special the Triathlon Lab Tent...BTW...recommended for a good girlfriend Lisa Buohler...one of the best Duathlete of Florida sponsored for this people...
Here the Traditional Nautica South Beach Sand Castle...the guy was still working on....
And here almost ready...
After that We left our bags with clothes at the Triathlon Lab Tent with some friends and went for an OWS to check the conditions of the water...
It was super-windy...and the ocean was very choppy...strong currents...2 to 4 fts. waves...it was a real washine machine...LOL
It was very difficult to get to the 1st marking white bouy...from there we swam along the beach to north and swimming against a strong current to the 2nd marking white buoy...Uffff...!!!! Finally at the 2nd bouy we decided to do an U-turn and go back...wuaoooo...it was a super fast swimming to the first bouy and from there to shore with the waves pushing us...LOL
Got our bags...took a shower...get dressed...and went to check again the Expo...
Buddy got some stuff that he does need and when we went to check the Sand Castle that was ready...and...I saw my friend Chris Lieto...say Hi to him and had some words...and...Buddy took me this Pic with him...WooooHoooooo...!!!
And here the Sand Castle finished...
Then...We went for lunch...BTW...never again...super-expensive and not really good...for the price we payed...We could eat better in whatever junk food chain...LOL
Walking along the Ocean Dr. Boulevard...looking for a Restaurant...saw this antique car parked with a Mafia personage...LOL
Got back home...and...put our Bid#s in our bikes, helmets and belts...
Here what we got in our Race Packages...beside our the Bid#'s, the white swimming caps, yellow wrist band and timing chips...
We got a nice cotton t-shirt...a nice hat...some magazines...and...only one goodie...LOL
Packed all our Race Stuff...prepared our Race beverages...and...loaded bikes and bags into the car...
Had an early and light dinner: grilled salmon and salad...
Went to bed early...at 8:30 pm...ZZZZzzzz
Sunday April 11th:
Woke-up at 4:00 am...Got dressed...put timming chip in my left ankle...sunscreen over shoulders, neck, and face...and...took out Mariah our dog...
Took our usual Pre-Race breakfast: OJ for both...my usual Soy Protein Shake (chocolate)for me...and a waffle with peanut butter with a cup of coffee for Buddy...and...our usual package of Multi-Vitamins and Minerals, Glucosamine, Amino 1500 and CO-Q-10.
Took the coolers with our beverages and left from home around 4:45 am...
It took us around 45 minutes to get to South Beach...and...parked the car in one of the closest Parking Lot to Transition Area...
In Transition Area... found a perfect spot in my Rack Area...the last one of the rack...and...started to set-up all my Rade Stuff as usual...
Helmet over seat...a green towel in front of my bike...and...over...my biking/running shoes...sunglasses over my biking shoes...and...my hat with my belt with Bid# inside...and...a bottle of cold water next to my running shoes...
Placed my Speedfil Hydration with ice and water in its cage, the cyclocomputer, two GU Roctane Gels (), a package of Clif Shot Blocks and a small package with 4 Endurolytes/ 4 Sportlegs inside the Bento Box and a spare tubular tire in the back bag of my bike...
And here a view of Transition from my Rack Area...it was still too dark...
Checked the bike tires and gears...and...went to check the Exits/Entrances of Transition...BTW...My Rack Area was very close to the Swim/Bike Entrances...and...very far from the Bike/Run Exits...Yikes...!!!
Went to the Restrooms for my last dump...LOL
Did sit over my cooler...relaxed a little bit...closed eyes...and...did my usual visualization of the Race...
At that moment my best girlfriend Marylou arrived...she placed her bike next to me...while she was setting-up all her stuff...she told me that her only concern was the Ocean condition...that...she was not sure if she would make it...
Took two Hammer Gels (Expresso/Raspberry), two Endurolytes and 2 Sportlegs with water and a mix of Cytomax/Accelerade (Citrus)...
Put Body-Glyde over my neck, ankles and feet...and...put Profile Design Lubricant over my legs and put Wet-Suit till my hips...
Took my swimming cap, googles and wax ear plugs and headed to the Swim Area with Buddy...
It was a long walk to the Swim Area...an 1/2 way to there We started to jogging cuz there were a Pre-Race Meeting to give the last instructions...but...when We got there it was too late...they already finished and...they were in the middle of the National Anthem...and...they were ready to start with the first Wave...and...We didn't have the time to warm-up inside the water...they were calling everybody to get out of the water...Yikes...!!!
It was a super-windy morning and the ocean was super-choppy...but...We knew what to expect cuz We did an OWS the day before the Race...
Met with Marylou...and...she was too nervous...and...told me..."I don't know if I can make it"...I told her..."Take it easy...You can do it..."
There were only 3 Waves...and...We were in the last one...