Pontevedria, Extremadura Spain ITU 48F / 9C Sunny

Total Time = 8h 53m 21s Overall Rank = / Age Group = M55-59 Age Group Rank = 42/54

This was an epic experience race as part of Team USA! We arrived early for the parade of nations a week earlier as it is a multi-sport event with racing all week and hundreds of Team USA athletes. After a long pair of flights from JFK to Madrid, then to Vigo, we were shuttled to our hotel very quickly and were able to check in, change and walk to the parade. We took in the city, took pictures then slept soundly. I tried a run and to find the transition area, but got lost. Left calf hurt so I ended that and decided to let it rest all week. I walked the expected S>B transition and found out it was 0.2 miles. Water temp was 14.2 C=58 degrees. Next day was Team social at breakfast where the Duathlon athletes were telling us about the course. Got my Pontevedra Team pin. Later on had my first confrontation with the water. Temp was down to 14.0=57 degrees. Great. Jumped in and took 5 solid minutes to gain control of breathing. Hands went numb quickly, as did my feet-which turned purple later on from Raynaud's. Got out after 15 minutes rested and tried again with better results but I only swam 5 minutes that time. My hands wouldn't work as they kept locking up. My pinky and ring finger wouldn't catch any water because I couldn't hold my hand in position-weird. Back to the hotel for an hour long warm shower as I was chilled to the bone. Monday included an excursion with Denise to a winery where it was just us and our guide, who stayed with us for hours. Delicious and fascinating! I may enjoy a white wine in the future instead of just red. Learned a lot about the culture and wine making. Dinner at local Italian place-perfecto! Tuesday, I reclaimed my bike from TBT with no functionality of the DI2. Presumed dead battery but it wouldn't charge (because it was actually fully charged). Took it to ?Josh/Drew, our Team USA bike mechanic who was stationed at our hotel and he diagnosed it was in 'crash mode' from getting jostled. Held the button for 5 seconds and then you have to pedal to let it shift through all the gears for it to reset/reconnect. DONE! Back to normal. He gave it a full tune up and we chatted for an hour. Says he doesn't do as much outdoor cycling due to vehicle risk but still likes to mountain bike. A generous tip was in order. Made it outside to try to find the course but got lost. Hooked up with a GB athlete (who later finished 7th in MY AG) and we rode the course he had downloaded on his bike computer. Only made it halfway, as they would not let us back from Bordel as the cross tri race had started and roads were closed, so that was an experience trying to get back to the hotel. I do not think the Spanish police like USA athletes (I was wearing my team kit, he was not). Wed am was the 'official' pre-ride of the course with Tim/Pat-team managers. A couple of dozen people rode it. Those 180 degree turns are ALL on downhills. You have to coast, downshift, turn and stay on the road on race day or get a penalty. I rode it in 1:25 during the practice and went slower than that on race day-hmmm. Another fight with the water on deck for the afternoon and I swam 1500 yds-twice. Each a bit faster and relatively more comfortable-if you count numb as 'comfortable'. First time-28 min, Second-24.5 min. Temp was 14.4=58!. Another bout of purple feet and another hour long shower to recover. Thursday-registration and chilled. Sent post cards. Shaved. Delicious dinner-again. Another Italian place. Friday-found the athlete briefing online and watched the hour video and took notes. Went to breakfast/Team USA to update all I'd learned. Decided on a path to limit walking and do everything I needed. Brought bike/helmet, all gear in my bags for check in, swim stuff for final practice in the cold River Lerez and brought clothes to dress for team photo. Still took many hours to do all that. Put race tattoos on night before, as always, to save time. Cover with conditioner to help preserve them. Mixed bike bottles with 400 calories each. Went through checklists for eating/set alarm and to bed. Was pretty sure the swim would be shortened, and they cancelled any practice swimming, so I knew I had an extra half hour, which I added to the plan.

Up at 5:30 (with the new plan). Original race time was 8:35, later changed to 8:40 with a split in the young men's groups. And later changed to 9:10 after the official announcement came at 7am to go with 'Plan B' and a shortened 1500M swim. Water was 12 degrees (54) at the check in the early AM. Warmed up to 14.9 (59) at race start. Ate my 700 calories, coffee/shower/BR per usual routine. Got 'race ready'. Kit/garbage bag under it to keep core warm in swim, timing chip/Garmin. Brought swim stuff and dressed warm and walked to transition-about 3/4 mile away from our hotel. Watched the start of the pro race and saw the lines they were taking from buoy to buoy-not realizing that stuff wouldn't matter in the end. Got in line when called. Immediately jumped in and swam to the far buoy as I knew that was the best line. Let's go!!