New from JSTC: Lava Man Sprint, 6/21/2009

I'm in.

anyone know the temp of barnegat bay?  How are the jellyfish this year?  I remember I was in the metedeconck last year around this time and was getting stung nonstop.

Pretty wet race, huh? I looked around for any BTer's, but didn't see anyone with BT gear.

Bob, looks like we were racked near each other! The swim didn't bother me, except for my awful sighting. The bike was pretty really wet. Glad I had a few ride work outs in the rain.

This is my first season as a triathlete (sure, I can call myself that, right?), with this my second race.  Decided a while back to bring the family overnight – spend a day at the beach Saturday, have a cheering section for Sunday’s race, then spend the rest of day basking in the glow of the NJ shore. 

Those of you who live in the NE can attest to the overall crappiness of the rainy summer we’ve had, and this weekend was no different.  Debated on canceling the hotel, but we braved the elements and had a few hours of late afternoon beach time without rain, although the waves were rough.

Woke at 4:06 am, before my watch alarm.  No coffee in the room or hotel, so half a diet coke had to suffice for caffeine boost.  Left the hotel door at 4:45 for a four block walk to setup transition.  Pitch black outside …. my bike was the first in the racks.  Guess I could have slept a bit more.  Weather was overcast, grey skies, high 60’s and no rain yet. 

Warmup swim was great – the Barnegat Bay water was much warmer then the ocean (70’s I would guess) and the wetsuit helped.  Water was choppy, and tasted like gasoline.

RD Chris and NJ Multisport put on a great event – plenty of friendly and helpful volunteers.  Into the water at 7:03 am, swim felt great.  I was relaxed – and I was happy I had increased my pool sessions since my first event.  Completed the .33 mi swim in just under 10 mins (PR for me) but took another minute or so to slog out of the water, up the beach, across parking lot to find two kiddie pools to rinse away sand – cool!

T1 under 90 seconds – no issue (this time) getting wetsuit off.  Skipped the socks and hopped on the bike after waving to family standing outside the transition fencing.  Oh, the rain is starting.  Didn’t notice it because I was wet – the umbrella my wife was holding was a giveaway.

Bike course was flat, and pretty fast considering the wetness & wind.  A three loop course, with 180 degree turnarounds at the ends.  Made sure to make a funny face and pedal really fast when I passed my cheering section … A local Moose Lodge had a pancake breakfast going on so I vicariously ate the bacon I smelled in the air, yum, protein.  My cateye was garfed up so I had no idea of my speed, but I felt like I was moving well.  Got passed by a bunch of NJ Shore Tri Club racers – wow that Duprex guy is fassst.  Ended up w 20.2 MPH average (PR) over 14 miles.  Goal was 20 MPH. Cool.

T2 also <90 sec – I spent a few extra moments putting on a bracelet my son made for me for Father’s Day – and to make sure he saw it on my wrist before leaving T2.  Big smile on his face.  Priceless.

One loop run, sans socks.  Heart rate comes down after a mile or so, so I just cruise, pushing harder ever so often.  Cheer for the people still on the bike. Eat more bacon.  Yum.  Wow, I’m hungry.  Still raining.  Pass the water station, volunteers with their children handing out cups, wearing rain slickers and those silly rubber boots.  Made sure to grab water from a little girl – “Thanks, Sweetie.”   As always, water sloshes up my nose and into my contacts.  Oh well.  Finish the 4 mi run in an 8:06 pace (PR, yes I am slow.)

Sprint the last 500 yards – family at the finish line.  Big smiles – this is the first race they attended – and hugs at the end.  Got choked up, & it felt nice.  Bracelet still around my wrist.  One blister on my heel, but I only noticed it after the race.

Finished in 1:29.  Loved it.

Epilogue:  Homemade Father’s Day card from son: “Good Luck on your Triathalon! Even if you don’t win you come in first place in my brain!”.   Choked up as I type this.  Feels nice.