Florida Challenge Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Despite the chop and having to stop to empty my suddenly leaking goggles half a dozen times, this was a PR for the distance by about a minute. Found some rhythm in the second leg and just tried to use my best form. Still not swimming a straight line, though.

Memo to Self: Might want to pack un-tinted goggles for days when it's overcast. No fooling - I could not sight beyond the next buouy for love or money it was so dark.

Still not a perfect race, even with the PR. Sighting and swim direction follies definitely cost time -

Dadgum jersey would not go over my head!

I did leave shoes clipped in. this was a little dicey in that you are confronted with a hill right out of transition. No worries - Feet went right in and off I went.

I'm getting a Bento Box and ditching the jersey filled with supplies next time.

W/in 5 miles, I knew the legs just didn't have the spring that I associate with riding fast. It took longer than usual to settle in, post-swim, and frankly, I just never found that 'locked-in' rhythm I get when I'm really effortlessly hammering. Anyhoo, I rode OK; Felt like I could have done better and certainly did leave it all out on the course - By the time I got to T2, I couldn't standup on the pedals for the cramps in my quads!

I was in 3rd place in AG after the bike. .

Drink more/Take more gels after the halfway point - This neglect came home to roost a bit later.

A bit quicker than T1, mercifully. My race belt came undone at the buckle and I had to fiddle w/it on the run until I gave up and just tied a knot.

It's all good.

Some days you get the bear, Some days the bear gets you.

I have had a really encouraging season from the point of view of running off the bike. Expectations were high for this race.

Reality in the harsh light of day was, legs were twitchy out of T2, started cramping around the second mile and by the third mile run game plan was toast. I was in 3rd place in AG after T2 - Got passed by a couple of folks from AG who were absolutely flying and mentally just shifted to a 'please don't let me humiliate myself in front of the BT Nation' kind of mindset.

I went bed that night feeling like I'm faster than that but just didn't execute on game day so I'll just have to make it up at the next one.

Nutritionally speaking, something in the game plan might be off so it's back to the drawing boards. Log more miles in training? Absolutely.

Felt a bit knackered so I looked for someplace to get out of the sun and lick my wounds. Collected myself after fifteen or so minutes and went to finisher's chute to watch for Jim T.(Captin). He was lucky enough to have his family with him and his kids were beside themselves with excitement when they crossed the line together. . That's gonna be a nice picture!


My wife is convinced it was a certain lack of joie-de-vivre in the days leading up to the race and that maybe I shouldn't take it so seriously. . ; - ) Humbug!


The RD is one of the most experienced guys around and I think it shows. Watching those folks get through the full IronDistance is truly inspirational -