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 Swim
Comments: 2005 Time: 26:51 48 seconds slower That was the most challenging open water swim I've had. The course was rectangular, whereby we swam out directly away from the beach, took a 90 degree turn to the left, then another 90 left over to the swim exit. Going out, we were hitting the surf at about a 20 degree angle, the second leg, at a more obtuse angle, then finally, almost down current on the way back. The combination of rolling surf and wind made for a really tough first leg (lots of folks swallowing seawater). I passed a ton of folks who were treading water to catch their breath. The surf was really challenging us all.  Transition 1
Comments: 2005 Time: 3:37 39 second pickup  Bike
Comments: 2005 Time: 1:09:40 Lost 5:29 versus last year. This bike was harder (windier) and the rider was fatter. I'm pleased with the bike. Not nearly as strong as last year, but I managed to hold my own with very little training. The wind affected the swim, but it really made things hard on the bike. I felt good, though, didn't push it...just kept a very high cadence, between 95 and 100 knowing there wasn't much power in the legs. I hydrated well on the bike but forgot to eat the gel. I regretted this later. What would you do differently?: Pay closer attention to nutrition. Transition 2
Comments: 2005 Time: 2:38 Picked up 13 seconds  Run
Comments: 2005 Time: 59:29 Picked up 35 seconds. This is probably the easiest Oly run you'll ever have. Its flat, fast and well paved. I just didn't have much left in the legs and basically ran out of gas (due to poor nutrition on the bike) at the 4 mile marker. I'm sure that if I had eaten more on the bike, I'd have had something left for the race finish. I didn't walk at all, just kept the legs moving. I saw a lot of BT'rs along the way. Rick Krueser caught me at mile 1 and ran 2 more with me. I know I held him back, but it was cool to have some company and to have a real runner pace me for a while. He took off at the 3 mile mark and I limped on home. Saw lots of BT'rs, including Jeff Bostick and James Reeves. Its very cool to have a "family" at the race. Post race
What limited your ability to perform faster: Lets see: 1. Waiting till 3 weeks before the race to begin training. 2. The bulk of my diet consisting of Corona and fresh limes. 3. Age and genetics. Event comments: These BT events just get better and better. The weekend was one big social interrupted on Sunday morning for 3 hours of swimming, biking and running. What an absolute blast. All of the BT'rs I met were incredible people, diverse, individually unique but joined by this crazy sport of triathlon. I only wish we could do this kind of thing more often. Links to my race pics are here: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/photos/photo-thumbnail... Last updated: 2006-01-05 12:00 AM
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United States
70F / 21C
Sunny
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 151/269
Wow. Where do you start? I essentially didn't train for the last 4 months due to a multitude of reasons; a promotion to a new role in my company, projects around the house that were ignored during my Ironman training, and pure, unadulterated laziness. With only three weeks before race day, I decided to get my ass in gear and get ready. So, I developed a "Three Week - Couch to Oly" program. I was 13lbs heavier and out of shape, but determined to at least finish this race.
As race weekend approached, a bunch of BT'rs decended upon St. Petersburg for the 23rd annual St. Anthony's Triathlon. How cool is that? We all stayed in local BnB's or hotels around the race site. Each night, we'd meet at the Veranda (BT Central) for great company, beer and hilarious conversations.
I reconnected with many BT'rs from races past and met a ton of new friends. I'd say there were 40 BT'rs present, give or take a few. We were even honored with the presence of the "Ron", BT Founder. There were a variety of BT events, from dinners to impromptu drinking sessions out on the Veranda's porch. Suffice it to say, I had an absolute blast.
Here was the schedule:
Thurs: Arrive in St. Pete, meet BT'rs for brewskies on the Veranda porch.
Fri: Met at the Veranda, more Coronas before heading out to Ft. Desoto for an OW swim and a 15 mile bike ride with Jeff, Chris, Rick, Mike, Denise, Lane and Wendy. Afterwards, had dinner with family and met BT'rs later for more laughter and beer.
Sat: OW Swim at race site with my sister. Met up with BT'rs and rode the run course. Had dinner with the Bostics, Schulte's, Rick Krueser, and my sister. Got back early to pack up the transition gear and get to bed.
Sunday: Got up at 5am, over to Transition, set up the bike and gear. Ran into Denise Bostic (who was volunteering) and helped my sister get her stuff set up. We then walked the mile over to Spa Beach for the swim start.
The wind was really blowing and the surf was getting rougher as the minutes passed. We sat there, calming our nerves before the season's first race. They sang the National Anthem as the sun rose over the horizon.