Gulf Coast - Aquabike

I was 13/57 in the W40-44 age group. Only 5 people were under 40 minutes. Yes the conditions were THAT BAD. It was ridiculously windy and wavey. 4-5 foot surf. It would just pick you up and toss you down. The GCT slam down. Worse than IMFL 2006. All I can say is I am thankful I didn't have to get in for a second loop.

I was trying to be aggressive but it was tough in those conditions. I had to roll almost onto my side to be able to get my head out of the water to get a breath. Was breathing every other stroke. It was very hard to sightbut thats the one thing I actually did really really well despite the fact it was difficult to see the buoys. FINALLY made it to the turn a was quick across the 250 yards at the top. I think it was harder getting out than in. I sighted well and caught some waves coming in. SO diffferent from IMFL with it being a wave start and 1500 less bodies in the water.

Swim in a wave pool? Given the conditions I'll take it.

Ok so I walk up the sand, and then I figure well maybe I should run a little and PRETEND this is a race or something. So I am running thru the parking lot and was like OUCH I stepped on something. I looked and thought I had something in my foot, stopped again picked at it. Got to my spot where the biotch next to mee had put ALL her stuff on top of mine. Her socks were in my bike helmet. WTF? So I toss it back on her space and put on my glasses which immediately fog up. got suit off easily, I'm trying to look at my foot and there is something in my foot and pick at it a bit before giving up and saying screw it. Did the classic Ott pee in transition secretly hoping it landed on biotches socks put my helmet on tried to de-fog my glasses but then the lens fell out. Got them back together but gave up on the fogginess. Geez o pete not a stellar T1

Not step on glass. Not let my glasses fall apart. Ridiculously slow

15/57 W40-44. I feel like I nailed this. First HIM bike under 3 hours. Course different than IMFL. Go right out of transition for a 6ish mile out and back and knew I had a tailwind, which although it meant I'd soon be into a head wind I was OK with it as I knew I'd have tailwind the last 10 miles home.

I spent the next 10 miles fighting the crosswinds more than anything. I am OK in a head wind but was twitchy in the cross winds coming off the beach. Wanted to take my little Roo right out from under me. Was thankful to make a turn and be out of cross winds andpick it up some.

Slow up over the bridge and was twtichy coming down the other side. Turned right for an out and back and had gone 18.7 miles in the first hour, which given that I was going 15-16 at times with the cross winds I was good with that speed. Hit 20 miles in 1:03 Was hoping to not let Jeff or Pete pass me as they started behind me but I was not sure how far behind me.

Seemed like we had a tailwind out with some false flats both up and down hill. Could appreciate that better on the way back. It was really more cross windy than anything and held a nice pace. I was pushing myself hard and a bunch of things were sore in my legs. Kept telling myself I didn't have to run so to push hard. Made the turn around and headed back, thankful that I wasn't into a bad head wind. Made it to 40 miles before 2:03 which meant I had averaged OVER 20 MPH that second hour so I was pleased and fairly confident I could break 3 hours.

Kept up my pace nicely and I think I actually went up and over the bridge faster on the way back. Knee, ankle, achilles and hammy were all hurting but kept up my "I don't have to run" mantra. Made the left to continue along the beach which was tailwind with gusts of cross wind. I was riding up with a death grip on the handle bars and pulling 20-21 trying hard to stay up right. I was holding on so hard I tried to shift and couldn't do it because my thumb had gone numb. Made the turn onto S. Thomas drive and into transition. Stopped my watch

Be lighter, be less tentative in cross winds and on turns. NOT WRECK MY BIKE 3 weeks prior to the race.

Walked over to the rack and just took my time. Racked my bike, put socks and shoes on and took my timing chip off. I actually started walking to the volunteer tent to turn it in and thought "WOW my legs really dont' feel too bad maybe I should try the run" then my foot started hurting and I was like 'Oh yeah I got something in my foot" Turned in my chip and took my stuff back to the condo. Showered, dug a piece of glass out of my foot, which actually was not easy, and did my phone calling/texting to people so they would know I was alive and not running. Called Melissa(TriHardAthena) and went outside to watch the race with her. Hung out and had some pizza with the other Melissa when she finished and then I found Pete who had some difficulties I helped him with then saw Jeff. I had lost Melissa by this point so I just went back to the condo. She and Jackie came back and we had some beers and went up to Melissa's unit for more beer and laughs. Pete joined us and we went to the athlete's dinner.


Waves, Wind, Injuries


This was a good effort in less than desirable conditions. The swim was brutal. No two ways about it. Did the best I could. I am very happy with my bike and learned some things. Doing my best to get over the injuries. Would have liked to do the whole race but is what it is.