left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 32)

Mav - great swim...

FBP - you will do great....I will be thinking of you even if I am not out here - taper like a pro

sTRIve

Just back from the lake where I did my third (and final) trial swim. I swam roughly 2/3 of the actual distance at a leisurely pace and it felt great. I won't be setting any world record but I feel pretty confident in my ability to do the distance.

Saturday the "Kids of Steel" event takes place which I will go over to watch. In the afternoon there is a "newbies" briefing which I will go to as well. Race time is Sunday 10 a.m. ADT (that's +1 from Eastern daylight time). I'll get there early though to get set up in transition and then I'll watch the Oly competitors who start at 9. Weather forecast is terrific - sunny and warm but not too humid. 

Hope y'all enjoy your holiday tomorrow. I love watching the Boston Pops on TV on the 4th of July and then the fireworks.

Sticka

This morning the "Kids of Steel" event was being held so I went over to watch for a minute. A couple of pics for you:

The owner of a LBS (the one where I bought Sebastian) was there to give every kids' bike a quick check and tune-up. There was every age, size and shape of kid and bike including some with training wheels, baskets, streamers, etc. How cool would WE be if we had such rides!!

Finish line banner is at the perfect height for kids !!

One of the youngest (and cutest!) competitors

How great to see so many kids out being active

Mav - did you watch the Boston Pops last night ???? It was fantastic. There was a young 16 year old girl from Martha's Vineyard who had won a state-wide (oops - Commonwealth-wide ) singing contest that sang a Broadway tune with the orchestra and she was unbelievable. Of course the highlights were the 1812 Overture, the Stars and Stripes Forever (how can you not love a Sousa march !!) and the fireworks over the Charles.

FBP 

Pre-Race Report
 

Just back from the newbie briefing. There were a couple dozen in attendance - some older, some younger, some fitter, some seemingly less so. Just like at running events - all shapes and sizes and for me that is what is so great. Interestingly about 3/4's were female - wonder if that's because guys tend to think they know it all Total registrations (Olympic + Sprint) are close to 200 - largest field yet they said.

We were told that the lake is on the verge of being too warm for wetsuits to be allowed. Crap. I really feel so much more confident with the added buoyancy but rules are rules and they said we'll be DQ'd if we wear one when we're not supposed to. Decision is made one hour prior to race start.

Got a full tour of the layout from the swim exit up to the T1 entrance/exit, T2 entrance/exit and then the run finish. The setup is really great for spectators so Mrs FBP and FBP-kidlets should be well entertained as they await their turtle!

Transition opens at 7 a.m. so I plan to get there nice and early. Mrs FBP will drop me off with all my kit and then she'll come back closer to race time (10 a.m start). I LOVE the atmosphere - all the activity and the nervous tension and the buzz of excitement - at event sites so I'll enjoy being there and having lots of time to just hang around.

I know it's going to be hard to sleep tonight but I'll be in bed early and up even earlier.

Sticka, the LRRTVTAKAFBP (Left Right Repeat Tri-Virgin Turtle Also Known As Freddy Beach Pete)

FBP - relax...you got it made.  Don't get too caught up in the nervous chatter...you are the most prepared one out there.

Swim Pete Swim

Ride Pete Ride

Run Pete Run....or should I say....Fly Pete Fly

you go.....we are there with you

see you at the finish line,

B

Well, add one more finish line to the total  !!!!!!!!!!!  I had an absolute blast - my first but won't be my last.

Got to the race site early (7:00) and got a prime spot for my bike. Got all my transition gear set up and then went for registration and body marking. Rumour in transition was no wetsuits - yikes - but I had steeled myself for the possibility.  

Sign at registration clarified that wetsuits were not allowed for Oly but were optional for Sprint. Big sigh of relief!! 

Met up with Jill and the kids around 8:30 and we walked to the beach to watch the Oly start and the Duathlon as well. The buoys were WAY further than I had expected. GULP.

Then it was time for me to get into my suit and do a warm up (actually a cool down) swim. 

The Sprint main group started at 10 and the "safe start" group which was almost as large, started 5 minutes later. First 100m was crazy - arms and legs everywhere. Soon enough though we were strung out enough that I was in clear water. I stayed on course pretty well but there were people going every which  way. One lady swam at 90 degrees across me. I grabbed her leg and tried to get her facing the right way.

Exited the swim at 18:30 which was right on my target. Only real issue in the swim was that my goggles didn't seal properly due to the sunscreen I had on. Kept having to tread water and empty them. Otherwise, I was pretty proud of myself as I exited the water.  

Long run up to T1. Got my goggles and cap off then the top of my wet suit. Into T1, to my bike and then got out of the bottom half of the wetsuit. A bit of a struggle to get it  off the leg that the chip was on. Into my shoes, on with the helmet and glasses and out to mount.

The first loop of the bike course was busy because of the Oly's and Duo's being already out. Got passed by some VERY fast tri vets with all the aero gear but seemed to be holding my own with the other "regular" bikers. I was fast on the downhills and passed lots of people. Ended up leapfrogging through much of the bike  course with a lady who would pass me on the uphills while I would pass her on the downhills. We ended up at T2 at exactly the same time. My total time to T2 exit was roughly 1:10. Still right on my target times. Out of T2 my legs felt surprisingly good. Off to do 3 laps of a 1.8k path. It was very busy but no problem finding running space. Course was shaded for 2/3 of the loop which was great because temps were now getting pretty high. One stretch of the trail went across a wide open stretch of beach. Could notice the temp go up at least 10c in that section. I believe I ran around 11 minutes per lap. Took a 1 minute walk break at the water station that was located at the start/finish of the loop. Big finish kick uo a little incline and crossed the line with a big smile on  my face in just under 1:44 total time. My goal had been 1:45.

Saw Jill and the kids at the swim exit, at the start of lap 2 on my bike and at the start/finish of each run lap. Also a number of other folks I knew who had come out to see me and others they knew.

Should have some pics to post later.

Thanks everyone for the great support over the past couple of weeks. I'm thrilled to say that just like all of you, I AM NOW A TRIATHLETE !!!

Finish Line count updated.

I cannot believe how much I think of each of you during your races.  It is amazing...almost harder than doing the race personally.  Almost.

FBP - yes you are a Triathlete.

All of my turtles are now triathletes....how awesome!  I cannot even begin to tell each of you how proud I am of you.  From my first post on January 6 until now, I look forward each day to seeing your progress.  You have all kept me motivated during the tough times - you know - those days you don't want to step out of the front door....and then it is great once you do.  I don't know why everyone doesn't do this....LOL....yes I do, I was one of THEM for 47 (almost 48) years before I did my first endurance event.

By the way, today is the 6 month anniversary of the start of this group.  How amazing that in such a short period of time you have ALL made me look really smart.....ROFL.

Now, all of you need to report your next race.  Yes, you need another one on the calendar if you haven't got one on there yet.  I was not really wanting to go do my brick today but I look at the countdown widget on my blog and see how few days are left to prepare for my HIM in October and get moving.  Take a few days - relish the accomplishment - then get another one booked.

By the way, have I told you how proud I am of you?

sTRIve                  forever

another finish line awaits

B

Flipper - I need some dinner spots in Mobile and maybe Biloxi/Gulfport areas.  It looks like we may be driving through in a couple of weeks.  Preferably SEAFOOD....of course.

sTRIve

Dan, were on the UP?  We have ties to the Houghton/Hancock area.

Good luck this weekend.

The finish line count continues to grow.

Just saw this quote -- The Finish Line: Where our Grasp Exceeds our Reach

sTRIve

Here is a little slideshow for y'all:

http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k100/freddybeachpete/?action=view&current=744f29ed.pbw

OMG mav - butt blisters ???  ROTFL

I was told of something called Bum Butter that cyclists use - not sure if it heals blisters but it is supposed to helo prevent them.

FBP 

Yoo hoo, Juanita - where are you ????

It's day 2 post tri and I'm still feeling great - both mentally and physically. I'm seriously thinking about doing a Sprint event that is taking place the first weekend in August. It is over in PEI where our cottage is and it is the same weekend that I start vacation over ther. Only complication is that my mother flies in that same day so I may be hard pressed to get to the airport to meet her. I suspect she'll be OK with it.

Funny story - I was cycling to work yesterday around 6:45 a.m. and stopped to look in the window of a new shop that is opening downtown. A woman walked by and said, "How did you do in your triathlon?" I gave a puzzled look because I didn't think I knew her. She pointed at my leg and said she noticed the number that was still there. I told her I had an awesome experience, that it was my first but not my last - and then I rode off.

Other than riding to/from work at a leisurely pace I haven't done much other than eat it seems for the past two days. I think I'll try to get back into the groove tomorrow though with either a run or a road ride.

FBP

Mav - no laughing here...we are all concerned about your butt.....ROFLMAO.....actually, I so feel sorry for you.  There are not many things that would be worse.  Here goes - first, lube is good....check that, lube is great - great - great.  Although it loses a significant proportion of its effectiveness when left in the tube.  Smile.  Enough of that.  Long rides become MUCH more enjoyable when lube is used although honestly it feels a little bizarre at first....kinda goopey....Obviously it only takes one rashy ride to love the goopey feeling.

Try the stuff for diaper rash....you can get it at the grocery store.  I would think it might work.

FBP - you gotta be kidding me....that is no transition area....that photo must be airbrushed....your transition area must have been out of the frame....you need more crap dude....that looked like a transition area from someone who had done this for years....at our stage we all need lots of stuff in transition (don't you know that?).  I would suggest a water bottle - it's a great time to drink a shot or two of water especially during longer events.  Where is your wetsuit???

Leston - good deal on the tire change - sounds like your timing was absolutely perfect.

FLIPPER???????????????????????????????????????

FYI, I am on vacation the end of next week and the following week....you guys all just carry on.....you have all MADE it.

sTRIve

B

My transition area (per your instructions!) was kept very simple. I picked a spot at the very end of a row so that I had lots of room. On the towel were - cycling shoes with socks laid out, partially rolled down, helmet on top of shoes with strap open and glasses inside (it wouldn't rest properly on the handlebars), running shoes (with Yankx!), a gel, a pack of fruit chews and two bottles - one of water and one of gatorade. I also had a bottle of gatorade on the bike and a gel in the back pocket of my tri jersey.

The rest of the 47 pounds of stuff I brought - extra clothes, extra food, ipod, camera, sunscreen, etc. - was being schlepped around in a gym bag by my daughter.

We're having a heat wave up here in Freddy Beach. Temps around 90c and lots of humidity. My son decided to sleep outside last night. Laid out a sleeping bag on top of the hot tub cover on the back deck and slept under the stars. Brian - spring-like weather compared to Texas right?