Still getting used to the wetsuit. Got edged off course on the return and had to duck behind someone to get back on line. Pretty good draft on the top 1/2.

?

Forgot to put on my helmet until I started pulling my bike of the rack. Cost me a couple secs at most. Wetsuit off easy, breezy, apple cheesy, as my daughter would say. Don't see the big deal.

Not much, fastest in AG, by a significant margin, and one of quickest OA.

First and last miles were on a lousy, rough section, otherwise nice surface. Winds from the east ~12 mph with some gusts, especially around high rises. Flew on the way out, eased up a bit on the way in fighting the wind. I was re-passed by a group of 4 riders just before the mid point. They may not have been violating the letter of the no drafting law, but certainly the spirit. Probably a net gain of 3 people. The closer you start to the front, the tougher your competitors on the bike. Had fun, just wish I had pushed harder. My avg HR was 5 beats < LT.

Pushed harder on the last 1/2 in order to keep up with the group ahead. Just b/c you don't see your age on their calves doesn't mean they aren't in your age group.

Nice, again fastest in AG

Zip

Started the run with an unhappy tummy. Took a Gu near the end of the bike, but was out of Gatorade to wash it down with. Oops! A cup of water coming out of T2 helped after a couple of minutes. I knew I wouldn't be fast, with my knee injury and diminished run training. The plan was to just hold on and be passed by as few people as possible. Also thinking of the race in Mexico Beach next weekend. One guy went by prior to the turnaround and I was down to 12th overall, not in my AG, another at the 3/4 point, now 13th. Then with less than 1/8 mile to go 2 guys zipped right by. I was checking calves, still not in my AG, so I didn't kill myself. Knee started hurting at around 2.75 miles and I didn't want to stress anything. Still, I was too hesitant. Again, my avg HR was well below LT.

(Slight whine coming.) I ended up 2nd in my AG by 21 secs, and the guy that beat me had to pass me on the run, as looking at the results I came out of T2 over a minute in front of him. I never saw a calf pass me with my AG on it though. Still can't figure out who it was. I would have pushed much harder had I known. May well have still ended up 2nd, but "he" would have had to work a lot harder, I promise you that much.

Ego boost on the run when I got whistled at by some chicks driving by in a Toyota Forerunner. I've never had that happen before. [satire] That's me, hot Daddy! [/end satire] :)

Run harder d@*^!t! I need to just bust it all out one of these days and who cares if I crash! I'm probably capable of a bit more than I allow myself.

Two cups of water and Gatorade and hung out with my beautiful daughter down on the beach while we waited on food and the awards ceremony!


Knee injury leading to decreased run training. Apprehension on bike and run about flaring the injury up.


Second time I've done this race. Took about 4:20 off my time from last October, so that was nice.

Much better organized this time. Expensive for what you get, but it's awfully convenient geographically. I'll probably do it again, but only if there is nothing better on the calendar.