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 Swim
Comments: After the disastrous swim at T-Gator, I made it a point to go out slowly, focusing on relaxed, consistent strokes, and even breathing. As I got a little winded, I'd switch to breaststroke to get breathing back to normal . Was comfortable by the time I got to the halfway point, so I was able to maintain the crawl for the rest of the way in. Overall, a good albeit slow swim, especially compared to T-Gator. What would you do differently?: Nothing. Pretty much got my confidence back.  Transition 1
Comments: Long run from the water, then with the bike to the mount line. Terrible mount. Lost a shoe, first time that has happened, ended up having to chase it down, put it on, and remount. Probably cost at least one minute, though that extra time is in my bike time and not T1, as the mount occurred on that side of the timing mats. What would you do differently?: Focus more, to keep shoe from coming off the pedal.  Bike
Comments: Far from a perfect ride. I had told a friend pre-race that if I didn't average 23.5 on the bike I would be disappointed, and that definitely was the case. In addition to the screwed-up mount, at about nine miles in I thought I caught a flat and actually pulled over and stopped to feel the tire. Luckily it was my imagination, but lost time just the same. Also, at least three times progress was impeded by cars that wouldn't pass the cyclists or allow you to pass. The third time was nearly the entire southern leg of the course, where some aged hillbilly in a red pickup got in my way for nearly three miles, holding my speed down to 20-22 mph. Occasionally he would pass, then I could ramp my speed back up to 27-28, until I caught him again. Eventually I was able to pass the old coot. Since I was the second-to-last wave, I was constantly passing on the entire bike course, lots of women from the preceding four waves riding two and three wide, trying to pass each other but blocking the passing lane regardless. I was hoarse at the end from screaming "on your left" for 45 minutes straight. No one passed me on the bike. WIthout my self-imposed handicaps and other human obstacles I would have been, should-a-been, a lot closer to 24mph on the average. What would you do differently?: Not be a doofus on the mount and with the false flat, bring hilbilly repellant. Transition 2
Comments: Better dismount by far, still had a long run with the bike around to my rack. Once there, for some bizarre reason I decided I needed my running hat, so took the time to dig it out of my bag. What would you do differently?: Stick with the pre-race plan on what apparel I will need.  Run
Comments: After two good, 8-minute miles to start, I was really disappointed with the last mile taking me 9:20. Hit hard with a stitch, not really on the side but in the center of my diaphragm, usually a sign of over-exertion, particularly in the heat. Thought with my tempo and speedwork sessions I had beaten this, but the stitch was so debilitating that I eventually had to walk for it to subside. Toward the end, I was passed by someone in my age group, so I managed to suck it up enough to pass him and stay ahead, beat him by 5 seconds. What would you do differently?: Not get a stitch. Back to the drawing board. Post race
Warm down: Got medal, surrendered chip, got two nasty Amino Vitals and went find Angel. Found Derek as well, went to get food, then watched Laurie finish. What limited your ability to perform faster: Not be a dumbass, nor encounter dumbasses on the bike, not get a stitch on the run. Event comments: Always a good race, surprisingly well-organized for such a large event. Still have some bugs to work out, though. First, they still have subtantial (up to 50 minutes) delays getting cars into the site and parked. More importantly, it would be nice if they could limit motor vehicle traffic on the bike loop to one direction. That would prevent all the congestion in the bike lane. Here's a few "official" race photos, some of them are actually me: http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=10738&PWD=&ID... Last updated: 2006-04-17 12:00 AM
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United States
Sports Spectrum
Sunny
Overall Rank = 335/1118
Age Group = 50-54
Age Group Rank = 16/54
Drove up Saturday morning, got there around 11:15, long line at packet pickup, which still hadn't opened. Once it did open, line moved pretty quickly. Saw Sharon, introduced myself, evidently I wasn't what she expected because she looked thoroughly confused.
After pickup we went to lunch and shopped a little, waiting for the other BTers to get in. Finally hooked up with Derek and Laurie, checked into motel, found Jeremy and went to view the race site. Checked out transition, but didn't swim because most of the course was closed. Drove the bike course, went back to motel, swam with the boys showered and went to dinner.
Great group of BTers at dinner, Laurie, Derek, Jeremy, Matt, Chris, Heather and Paige, plus Angel and the boys. Waitress wasn't the sharpest crayon, thought Mr. Pibb was a brand of root beer, and Chris managed to convince her that we were celebrating my becoming a US citizen. They asked me to recite the pledge, but, not wanting to show off, I refused. ;)
Race morning, got up at 4am, coffee and clif bars, showered, dressed, got the boys up, out of motel for 5:45. About a 30-minute drive, then 20 minutes spent in the line of cars getting into the gate and parked.
Not much warming up. As soon as we got there, an announcement was made telling us that the previous night's storm had re-arranged the buoys, and that the start would be delayed while they were replaced. Didn't know when transition was to be closed, plus all the traffic and confusion of 1300 athletes, so I didn't warm-up on the bike. Mine was the second-to-last wave, so I had plenty of time to warmup on the swim, and relax in the water. Twenty-minute delay to the start of the first wave, then 45 minutes to the start of Wave 10, Senior Citizens, 50 and above.