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 Swim
Comments: I love the water; I'm comfortable in the water, but the OWS, in a wetsuit, with a running start was the one thing I wasn't able to practice so I didn't know what to expect. My swim coach was on the beach prior to the race and did a great job of talking be through the start. Pick your line, find your site, and go. Being a Clyde I was hoping to watch a few waves go off before me but they put us in the first wave with the 18-34 year olds. So much for that! They lined the first wave up on the beach and before I knew it we were gone! The first 100-150 yards were insane! They don't joke when they call the start a washing machine. I ended up stroke for stroke with a guy on either side of me and the dude behind us decided he wanted to swim over me. Not his best decision of the day as I'm pretty sure he got a foot to the chin. I stayed calm and decided that I didn't need to be fighting for position. I dropped back let the guys pass and settled into a rhythm. Once there it was easy. I stayed right on the buoy line made the turn and pushed hard to the boat ramp. My wife and kids were standing right at the exit, gave them a wave and started the 250+ yard trek to T1. I was 7th in my AG to finish the swim and this was counted after the mad dash across the park to T1. It took me roughly 3min to get there from the water which was disappointing but oh well, roll with it. Sans this dash the swim was exactly how I hoped it would be. What would you do differently?: Not have to run 250+ yards between the swim exit and T1. However I don't have control over that so really nothing. Great Swim!  Transition 1
Comments: Wetsuit off, T-Shirt on, sock on, sunglasses on, helmet on, GONE! What would you do differently?: Not a thing!  Bike
Comments: I hate the wind, I hate the wind, I hate the wind! I averaged 13.1MPH on the way out. The wind was coming from the WNW and I fought it the whole first half. I also had a really hard time calming down and relaxing for the first 3 miles on the bike. For some reason it took a lot to collect myself. Once I collected myself it was am matter of putting in the miles. As stated the first half SUCKED! However, on the second half... I love the wind, I love the wind, I love the wind. The second half I averaged 18.1MPH and was able to make up some time. Felt really good coming into T2 and even managed to do a flying dismount. What would you do differently?: Not fight the wind, but again I had no control of that. The bike was what it was and it was what I expected and where I expected to be. Good Ride! Transition 2
Comments: Bike racked, helmet off, Garmin off (fought with it), shoes on, grabbed visor and race belt... Gone! What would you do differently?: Nothing  Run
Comments: The run was as expected and uneventful. I planned to walk the water stations, which I did. I walked two other times but it was really for 10-15 steps. I made a pact with God during the run. I told him if he helped me get through this run I'd do another Tri. What would you do differently?: Nothing Post race
Warm down: Crossed the finish line and hugged my family! Walked a bit and packed up my stuff. What limited your ability to perform faster: NOTHING! I was right where I expected/wanted to be. My goal for this race as 1:50:00 and my actual time was 1:51:22. I pretty much nailed it! Event comments: What a great race. The race directer stated that 1/3 of today's participants were first timers, myself included. This was an awesome and humbling experience and I can't wait to do it again. Next race is in three weeks and its an OLY. I can't wait. I have to add that my favorite part of the day was courtesy of my 3-year-old daughter. She is all about Mom all the time. However, following the race she stated that she was riding home with dad and it wasn't for debate. We road home with her singing along to her "Princess Songs". What a perfect end! Profile Album Last updated: 2012-02-06 12:00 AM
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United States
63F / 17C
Overcast
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = Clydesdale
Age Group Rank = 16/19
I got up at 0450 and had breakfast, wheat toast w/peanut butter and honey and a spark and hopped in the car for the hour drive to the race site. Transition opened at 0600 and I pulled into the parking lot about 0605. I debated getting there so early, two hours before race start seemed a little much but I'm glad I did. Found an end rack spot right next to the run exit (right where I wanted to be) and set up my gear. Now, prior to the race I had worried about transition etiquette, I didn't want to take up too much space and I didn't want my area to look like my 9-year-old's bedroom. That being said the guy next to me set his gear up on a beach towel and the guy a rack behind me showed up with his rubbermaid container. I felt pretty good about my area.
After setting up my area I went and got my timing chip and then walked the transition area. About this time I realized that the distance between the swim exit and T1 was about 270 yards and that time would be added to the swim time. Not that big of a deal but was something I had not expected.
About 0715 I donned my wetsuit and headed to the bus for the swim start. Got to the beach about 0740.
Got into the water to warm up and the water temperature was was about 10 degrees warmer than the air temperature. Swam about 200 yards warm-up and then exited the water for the pre-race brief.