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 Swim
Comments: MY AG was the last wave and I am a slow swimmer so I started in the back of the pack. My only goal was to be comfortable, navigate well and get thru the 1.2 mile swim. My out of the water time was 45 minutes and I am OK with that. I have not done much swimming at all this year and this is the longest I have swam since last year at this race. No aspirations for a quick swim, just tough it out. Felt good for the swim. Time was about what I did for my first year at this same race. I knew I would not be last, figured about 10 people behind me. What would you do differently?: Considering the only thing that will help me get faster in the swim is probably a total immersion class and extensive time in the pool. I'll trade the 5 min slower time for the multiple hours I swam last year in the 25 yd pool after driving 45 miles round trip and devoting 2 hrs for each day of swimming. Many sessions of ocean swims would have helped too, maybe next year.  Transition 1
Comments: I didnt run to T-1 and probably should have, didnt matter in the long run. Pretty discouraging to come into T-1 and there be very few bikes left. Had to take a few extra minutes to make sure I had all my food, beverages, throw on bike shorts over tri suit, tire pump and repair gear.  Bike
Comments: No stellar expectations. I do feel I could have done better on the bike and have in the past. Expectations were to keep the cadence up high and save some legs for the run. In years past I have pushed the bike and not had much for the run. Not too many others in the area for the bike. A few single rides here and there. Lonely on the bike. Had lots of time to think about stuff. At mile 50 (3 hrs axact), my butt and lower back were aching. I was done with the bike and just want off!!! Pushed thru the last few miles just to be done. What would you do differently?: ride more, do at least 1 -50 miler in training. work on some hills. Transition 2
Comments: Not sure why my t-2 time was this long. I was really thinking about not doing the run. Headed out anyway. By the time I got to the parking lot where my car was, the back and butt stopped aching so I figured I could keep going.  Run
Comments: LOL...kinda funny that I placed better in my AG for the run than the bike or swim!!! I was able to jog consistantly w/o pain or stopping to mile 8 1/2, which is the 2nd and last turn around. Lots of positive self talk to get to this point. Legs felt ok, no pain, just no any way to speed up, just get thru. After 8.5, I interspersed walking breaks every now and then, but mostly a slow jog, just to keep the feet moving. Hardest sight to see was how many people were behind me. I felt sssoo bad for them. Knowing how hard the run was for me and to see these folks, who started before me, heading into mile 7 as I was passing mile 10. Lots of grit and determination on their faces. The beach run wasnt all that bad for me this year. Learned to hit the hard packed sand early on. This was a good thing since this was amongst the folks on the beach. Nice sights along the way ;) What would you do differently?: do a few long runs off the bike. Post race
Warm down: Exhausted at the end. Not hungry at all. All I wanted was cold watermelon and a cold coke. (the last few miles this was all I could think about) Sat in the shade and collected myself. Thought alot. What limited your ability to perform faster: training basically. My training hours are barely at the oly level. I didnt follow a training plan like the last 2 yrs and I have not done much swimming at all. Event comments: Firmman is a good race. The swim and run venue are very nice. You wont get a prettier beach anywhere around. The bike was challenging but I question the safety of all the 'chatter strips' at the exit ramps. Having to go around them and barely into the traffic lane is dangerous. The bike course could have been swept more. The only other bad move, as far as water stops go, the RD provide a sport drink mix called "heed". It was AWFUL!!!! powdery tasting, yuck. They should have stuck with gatorade. Overall, I would recommend this race to anyone. Next year however, I will probably do another 1/2 IM somewhere else. 3 times for this one. Last updated: 2006-09-02 12:00 AM
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United States
Firm Racing
72F / 22C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 497/526
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 55/56
'jocked' and cheerleaded at the Hyannis 2 tri early sat am. Saw ellen and mike, patty, nicole and another friend from town. Really cool way to get jazzed for the 1/2 IM!! Got to watch all the athletes and their efforts and different techniques.
Headed to Narragansett Rhode Island around noon on saturday and got there around 2 pm. Saw Rob and meredith just as I was heading on to check in. Saw May and steve, patty and polly too. cool bunch of peeps. Ate a little pasta dinner at the race site with the 'Sparrows' and another tri guy from mass.
After dinner it was off to the 'lovemobile' in back lawn of LBS for a comfy pre-race overnite snooze.
Woke in plenty of time to get racked and marked. Only had OJ for breakfast, should have had more to nibble on before the race.
Headed down the beach for about a mile. Saw Kathy G and a friend on the way.
Splashed around in the surf for a quick minute to do a goggle check. Chatted with other guys in swim wave and enjoyed the sunrise. Gorgeous morning!!!!!