The course was simple but I seemed to struggle with it for some reason. I couldn't stay on course and the water chop seemed to really be a problem for me. At one point I know I got clobbered with a wave that just took my breath away. It made me stop and catch my breath before I could continue.

More river swimming to get accustomed to the chop. Possibly start on the outer front edge.

I had a really good transition. My gear was layed out very well because I got my riding shoes on, sun glasses, sweat band, helmet, bike. I did not drink anything here thinking that I could do that on the bike. I also didn't put on socks with my bike shoes. I also didn't bother to dry off any more than I already was since there was a long jog between the the water and the transition area.

Not much. I had a pretty fast transition for T1 and everything went as I had planned. I did have a cut on my foot (discovered several hours after the race) so I am not sure if it was a result of no socks or what so I might put on socks next time with my bike shoes. It should make T2 a little faster then.

Okay.. I have my new bike, only a week prior to this race and the lack of saddle time really showed. There were several racers that passed me like I was sitting still and I was really going at it the first 7.5 miles. The head wind did play a factor since I didn't have the bike legs to power through the resistance. The only other thing that slowed me down was my new bike seat. It's light as a feather but now I know why those professional bike riders have prostate problems. Man was I numb!

The obvious thing is to get more saddle time. Ride, Ride, and ride some more. Next, which I've already done, is switch out the seat. I've gone to a slightly heavier Terri Liberator seat but I can say that my prostate gland is thanking me!!! No more numbness.

I had a really good transition. Again, my pre-planning on of my transition gear really paid off. I had my shoes layed out with my socks such that all I had to do was to park my bike, peel off my bike shoes, pull on socks and slam on my shoes and I was away. I did leave my sun glasses but it wasn't sunny and they were smeared so I left them behind.

My transition could have been faster had I gotten out of my bike shoes while I was still on the bike so I could run more effectively from the bike dismount to the bike rack. Bike shoes are not made for running!!! :) I hind sight though the time I spent running in the bike shoes was actually counted on my bike protion so it wouldn't have made much time difference in T2.

By this point in the race my legs were pretty much spent. When I first started out of the transition area my legs felt like two speghetti noodles with running shoes on the ends. I got settled into my race pace with an average HR of 171 and kept my legs chugging. It wasn't fast but I didn't stop running.

Here's were training really pays off. I will definitly start doing more bricks so I can train my body to transition better from the bike to the run. I also need a LOT more distance runs under my belt.

I did some stretching and catching my breath and sitting.


Right now I'm in the ranks of the weekend/week day warrior. I have not truely committed to the longer endurance training necessary to really excel at this distance of a race. I can do it but I know I can do so much better if I just put in more long-duration training time.


http://rotarypineappleman.org/4436.html

Race starts at 7 AM

Distances: .3 mile swim, 15 mile bike, 3.3 mile run

The race begins and ends at Ryckman Park in Melbourne Beach.

Swim Course The swim takes place in the Indian River Lagoon. Swimmers will enter and exit the water from the historic Melbourne Beach Pier. After the swim, participants will advance from the pier to the adjacent transition area in Ryckman Park.

Bike Course The bike segment is a long, straight, flat, and fast out and back course that follows A1A south along ocean-side parks and nature preserves. Riders will u-turn (police supervised) at the southern end of the course and return to Ryckman Park.

Run Course The run course goes northward, beside the Indian River and loops through quiet, residential neighborhoods. The finish line is on Ocean Ave in front of the historic Ryckman House.

Follow this link for the race results
http://www.multirace.com/triathlon/2005TriResults.aspx?Race