Not a good swim at all, felt lethargic the whole way. The, after rounding the buoy, headed into the sun so I couldn't see at all. Breaststroked several times to try to sight, ended up zigzagging as well. Finally rounded the next buoy to head to shore, and did a little better.

As always, need to work on the swim, need to work on sighting in the sun too, I guess.

Not that great a transition. They wanted our bibs on for the bike, so I fumbled with the race belt before putting on glasses and helmets. Very short run into and out of transition, though, so not much time spent.

Had a rubber band break on the pedal opposite the one I usually mount, so I had to get on from the other side of the bike. Made the mount a little sloppier, and probably took me a little longer to get on and up to speed. Transition area was at a boat ramp, so we had to ride an incline to get out. Made the turn and got on the main road and up to speed before I put the shoes on.

Practice putting on race belt (usually put on during the run). Otherwise pretty good, all things considered.

Overall, a nice, well-managed bike course, with just enough turns and climbs to give a little challenge. Most of the route was coned off from the traffic, police at every intersection and nearly every side road.

Passed several people coming out of transition, got stuck behind a woman in the no-passing zone that was the first bridge. Passed her quickly as we got off the bridge and continued on. Seemed to be a slight breeze heading out as I was a little slower coming back, stayed over 23 most of the way out and around 22.5 coming back. Crossed a railroad track with the warning lights blinking, slowed until I saw a volunteer who waved us through. Made the turnaround OK. Concrete roadway returning had lousy joints, so it was badump, badump, badump for about five of those miles. Again on the bridge I got stuck behind a slightly slower rider, but not as bad as the first time. He and I both got over 35 on the short descent.

Bike computer showed distance to be 18.36 miles, which means average was
22.17mph.

Not too much, maybe pass these people before the bridge, but really they had wide leads on me until they started climbing.

This went well, perfect dismount, short run to rack, parked bike, helmet off, shoes on, and left. Didn't have to mess with race belt as it was already on. ;)

Nothing.

Came out of transition right behind Lawrence, a local guy in my age group, but he's a dominant runner that I can't catch on my best day. Sure enough, he pulled off ahead of me. My focus immediately was on cadence and getting my heart rate under control, settled down into a steady pace. Course had a few baby rollers, otherwise fairly flat, pretty course along the lake. At the turnaround, saw Lawrence had a insurmountable lead, and no one in my AG was close enough behind me to threaten. Still pushed it kind of hard, enough to get a side stitch signaling it was time to back off. Nearing the finish, a young guy half my age passed me and encouraged me to pick it up, stayed with him a little while. Also got passed close to the chute by a 16-yo.

Running is still not back where it was prior to my three-month layoff, and my plantar fasciitis is acting up again. Just have to tolerate it as best as possible and do what I can.

Stood araound, drank a couple of gatorades, watched the other finishers come in. When results were posted, saw there was also a 50-yo who finished 6th overall, but he won the "Grand Master" award and was taken out of our AG. Lawrence was first, and I was second, got a decent-looking plaque.

This was the first of two races I did this weekend, my first double weekend. Sunday's race report here: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Slept all the way home, while Angel drove. (Yes, she saw me at each transition and the finish of this race, unlike Sunday when she was buried in her schoolwork when I finished.)


Swimming ability, insufficient run training.


Great race for a first-time event. Great venue on a pretty little lake, bike course was well-marshalled and mostly closed to traffic, run was shady, mostly flat, and along the lake. Goody bag had a nice shirt, polar bottle with race logo and Hammer products. Nice finishers medals and plaques for the AG winners.