p-tex
09-14-2006, 09:30 PM
It was only an Olympic distance event but it was my first. DAMN I had fun!! Nothing like 2,600 people with a common goal all heading in the same direction!!
Yep that’s me standing with my arms crossed trying to look unconcerned but some how not pulling it off. What was I doing in the front row? I don’t really know, it just sorta happened and, well, what the hell you gotta start somewhere and you might as well be first.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f2fbeff00000016100BcNWLZozZsf
Problem was the surf was really up that morning and ugly brown waves sucking the sand from the bottom all the way to the top of the crest were causing the announcer to say things like “ooh – that had to hurt” or “look at the size of this one!” as the Pros and Elites started. These comforting words were helping my mental state as the 30-34 year old group (wave 4) was getting ready to start.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f2c3fcc00000016100BcNWLZozZsf
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f203fc000000016100BcNWLZozZsf
All of us red hats start (179 of us!).
Nothing like hitting the first beach in 1st place! Oh- shit this is a big set that is just about to hit, oh fuck I’m not so sure about this, big breath, dive into the bottom of the wave try and dolphin kick through, shit, I waited too long, I’m going backward, goggles are gone, I need a breath, did someone just step on me, I musta just lost 40 positions, air, sweet goggles are around my neck, back on, get going again,– here comes another one, feel like I’m going backward more than forward, lost more spots, pop up and start swimming, whew – I’m through the surf. Damn, someone just swam over the top of me and I know I just kicked someone in the nose, I felt it move!
This must be what it’s like to be in a washing machine with 178 other people.
Done with swim – running up the beach to the transition, why can’t I get my right arm outta my wetsuit, Oh – it’s still zipped, dumbass. Ok – at the bike, wetsuit is off, wash off feet, grab shoes, helmet and glasses, take 2 seconds to be sure – I’m off. My strong event, gotta make up for the crappy swim.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f2bbefb00000016100BcNWLZozZsf
Me at T1 grabbing my bike (blue helmet).
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f17bec700000016100BcNWLZozZsf
Leaving T1
What is this guy doing, passing? No you don’t pass me on my event, yeah – push it, didn’t think you could hang (see ya), feel the burn, feels good, keep telling yourself that. Some hills coming up near the end, put the screws to the flatlanders there, yeah, this ain’t nothin’. Transition coming up. Ok, dismount where is the T2 bag (this is a point to point Tri, so the transition is different form T1), got it – ugly orange bag pays off!!
Running shoes on – wish I had quick laces. Get going, damn my left leg is tight. Gatorade from the kid on the corner, that sounds like a good idea. Mile 2, shit, left leg just cramped – stop, stretch, is it letting go, yes! It feels a bit better, get going again. Maybe the Gatorade wasn’t such a good idea, stomach cramps, it ain’t nothing, just run through it. Only 1 mile to go, give it all you got.
Yes – Finished!!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f13bec300000016100BcNWLZozZsf
Me on the left.
Here is the damage:
2:30 overall time was good for 36th / 179 in the 30-34 class and 200 / 2,600 overall.
Swim: 35 (ugly) mins for 107 / 179
Bike: 8th / 179 (65 mins)
Run: 30th / 179 (45 mins)
Add a handful of mins for T1 and T2.
I’m pretty happy. My goal was 2:30 and I hit it exactly, kinda weird. A bit disappointed in the swim but I just started this summer, so I know I can improve pretty quick.
Definitely planning on doing some more of these!!!
Sorry I missed some of the LA mags - I got caught up with other things but hope to hook up with all some other time.
Yep that’s me standing with my arms crossed trying to look unconcerned but some how not pulling it off. What was I doing in the front row? I don’t really know, it just sorta happened and, well, what the hell you gotta start somewhere and you might as well be first.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f2fbeff00000016100BcNWLZozZsf
Problem was the surf was really up that morning and ugly brown waves sucking the sand from the bottom all the way to the top of the crest were causing the announcer to say things like “ooh – that had to hurt” or “look at the size of this one!” as the Pros and Elites started. These comforting words were helping my mental state as the 30-34 year old group (wave 4) was getting ready to start.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f2c3fcc00000016100BcNWLZozZsf
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f203fc000000016100BcNWLZozZsf
All of us red hats start (179 of us!).
Nothing like hitting the first beach in 1st place! Oh- shit this is a big set that is just about to hit, oh fuck I’m not so sure about this, big breath, dive into the bottom of the wave try and dolphin kick through, shit, I waited too long, I’m going backward, goggles are gone, I need a breath, did someone just step on me, I musta just lost 40 positions, air, sweet goggles are around my neck, back on, get going again,– here comes another one, feel like I’m going backward more than forward, lost more spots, pop up and start swimming, whew – I’m through the surf. Damn, someone just swam over the top of me and I know I just kicked someone in the nose, I felt it move!
This must be what it’s like to be in a washing machine with 178 other people.
Done with swim – running up the beach to the transition, why can’t I get my right arm outta my wetsuit, Oh – it’s still zipped, dumbass. Ok – at the bike, wetsuit is off, wash off feet, grab shoes, helmet and glasses, take 2 seconds to be sure – I’m off. My strong event, gotta make up for the crappy swim.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f2bbefb00000016100BcNWLZozZsf
Me at T1 grabbing my bike (blue helmet).
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f17bec700000016100BcNWLZozZsf
Leaving T1
What is this guy doing, passing? No you don’t pass me on my event, yeah – push it, didn’t think you could hang (see ya), feel the burn, feels good, keep telling yourself that. Some hills coming up near the end, put the screws to the flatlanders there, yeah, this ain’t nothin’. Transition coming up. Ok, dismount where is the T2 bag (this is a point to point Tri, so the transition is different form T1), got it – ugly orange bag pays off!!
Running shoes on – wish I had quick laces. Get going, damn my left leg is tight. Gatorade from the kid on the corner, that sounds like a good idea. Mile 2, shit, left leg just cramped – stop, stretch, is it letting go, yes! It feels a bit better, get going again. Maybe the Gatorade wasn’t such a good idea, stomach cramps, it ain’t nothing, just run through it. Only 1 mile to go, give it all you got.
Yes – Finished!!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d731b3127cce8c8f6f13bec300000016100BcNWLZozZsf
Me on the left.
Here is the damage:
2:30 overall time was good for 36th / 179 in the 30-34 class and 200 / 2,600 overall.
Swim: 35 (ugly) mins for 107 / 179
Bike: 8th / 179 (65 mins)
Run: 30th / 179 (45 mins)
Add a handful of mins for T1 and T2.
I’m pretty happy. My goal was 2:30 and I hit it exactly, kinda weird. A bit disappointed in the swim but I just started this summer, so I know I can improve pretty quick.
Definitely planning on doing some more of these!!!
Sorry I missed some of the LA mags - I got caught up with other things but hope to hook up with all some other time.