Central Park Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I asked the others in my wave what their times would be...they all said about 10 mins. I asked the lone female in our wave by saying "what about you Hon?" and immediately apologized. She forgave me. But she just asked that we didn't kill her in the pool...she was a nice gal.
I knew I would be closer to 8 Mins so I figured let me jump ahead of these guys. Which I did...and almost into the next lane. I recovered and reached the end of the first lane a split second behind one of the others in my lane. About half way back I pulled ahead of him and I was off like a shot. Christine said I was the 3rd person out of the pool in my wave. 1st lap my goggles started to fill with water. burned my contact a little bit. ran out of gas at the end...last few meters on video seemed like they took forever!!!

Swim straight from the shot.
Try to leap ahead but not go crazy about it.
Jump right out of the pool when completed...instead of asking the 'lane master'
Double check goggles under water...make sure of no overlap with swim cap
Train for 800 meters so I have no endurance problems at the end

OK. Here is where I found out why no one was running around the pool and why there are and always have been signs around pools forever, that state NO RUNNING. The Egyptians new this, Anciest Eastern civilizations, the greeks and Romans all new this. This logical fact that has stood for time immemorial "DON'T RUN AROUND THE POOL" was lost on me this fine August morning. 'Cause I totlaly wiped out into a rack of bikes. I only wish Miguel had caught that on tape. Spectacular display of stupidity!
No big deal though I was right up on my feet. Someone even shouted 'nice recovery' perhaps a more appropriate statement of support would have been 'nice recovery, jacka$$'. I trotted the rest of the way to my bike.

Any way I get to my bike and everything is cool I dry real quick ...just a once over. On go the shorts...on go the socks...on go the sneakers (I slipped 'em on) OK one last thing---My shirt.

Well about a month ago when I was shopping for the proper attire for my maiden triathlon I was in Dicks Sporting Goods and noticed a Mannequin wearing an under armor shirt. it was a sleek aerodynamic shirt that promised to 'wick away' my perspiration. I had lost 10 pounds at that point and hoped to lose more. I knew 'd look good in that skin tight under armor number. And there's the rub you see.

Skin tight under armor + wet body = screwed up transition 1

I ropped 2 corners of my race number and the shirt was stuck all the way up my back...I finally said "screw it" I picked up my bike and ran for the timing gate. I could have shaved a full minute from this T1 time
then it took me a full 5 to 10 seconds to get my feet in the pedal straps

Walk around the pool to dry pavement and then pick up the pace
Choose a Loose fitting cotton Shirt.

Out from the pool it is like a mile straight up a huge hill. Well, it least it felt that way!!

Seriously though there were really 2 sides to the course. the east and west. the west side was REALLY HILLY. I totally screwed up the gearing for uphill biking...I know this because I was huffing and puffing and getting nowhere. on the first lap there is a sign for East 72nd street (I guess on every lap the sign is there actually). From that sign it is smooth sailing back to Lasker pool. there is like a hairpin around the pool where I actually had to pull the handbrake---really sharp turn. Christine said on the first lap she could hear me coming down the hill. I was breathing like a 2 pack a day asthmatic (which I am neither).

OK lap One down. I saw Christine and Roman and felt motivated and was ready for lap 2. I heard Christine say "you're doing great!!". I thought--Yeah , that's what YOU think! I was so glad that they were there. I was glad Miggy was there too....great little family outing

Where was I? Oh right hills, AGAIN!....After lap one I became afflicted with the ancient chinese disease: Dragon A$$. Because I was draggin' it, alright.

There was a girl sitting on top of the first hill cheering everyone on. she was great. Thank-you! whoever you are!!! She was there on both of my laps.

Anyway, completely beaten down I made my way to that East 72nd Street sign and I started to pick up the pace. By the way I used the Power Bar Gel Packs for some quick energy and I really think it worked!! I went from draggin to haulin pretty quick---couldn't wait to get off the bike.

all in all I was slow on the bike. But the positives were ...my Butt didn't hurt and NO NUMBNESS in my left hand

I only got a bike 3 weeks ago ...so Obviously train more on the bike
I have a lot to learn about Proper Gearing in particular in the hills

No Magic here I picked up my bike, ran with it took of my helmett got a swig of gatorade...and off to the run. I trained for this transition

I would have taken a few seconds more to properly hydrate. Drink more gatorade.

Hills right away. I did this run in the same time I did just a straight 5k last November in Mineola (which is as flat as an airline runway). and I even had my Ipod in Mineola. So I expect a good time in Mineola this November.

There was another young lady 1/2 way up the first hill cheering me on and she was there both on my way out and my way back. Thank You, Too!!!

I had plenty of gas for this run I think I could have shaved 30 secs if I pushed harder. the run back fromn the turnaround felt like it was all down hill.

Push harder on the second half

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Lot's of fun Next year is the 20th anniversary.
I will be back to run it again.