Tom Sawyer Triathlon Re-cap

#406 out of ~430, it's nice to be at the back of the pack with like-minded people

• Pre-Race

- 4am wake-up, radio up, dancing, singing, loving the pre-race feeling
- Especially hearing this as the first song on the radio again, and signing along: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w
- Bike Set-up takes a while to make sure everything is there. There is a lot of stuff to remember to pack.

• Swim (~20-24min)

- First person went in ~6:50, so I waited 30 minutes and saw an awesome Sunrise before my turn
- The first 50m were AWESOME!!! Bi-lateral breathing, Free-style, fast....um.....TOO Fast
- 50m-400m - Why did I start so fast?!?!
- 400m-800m - Breast Stroke, toe touch the pool, why did I start so fast, I'm an idiot!
- Passed 1 person, passed by 3

• T1(<5min?)

- Did I remember everything?

• Bike (~52min)

- "Ugh what a crappy swim" Ok, time for some rolling KY hills
- Hit the speed limit of 25mph at one point, and guess what?! Speed bumps were in the way
- Passed 3-4 people, passed by 2 (including my buddy John #407)

• T2 (<2 min)
  

- Just put on running shoes, and I'm good!

• Run (~<30 min)

- Solid!!!!
- Gave plenty of encouragement to others, just keep running!
- Passed plenty of people, passed by 0!

• Post-Race (~1:50-2:00)

- I did it!


My version of "The good, the bad, and the ugly" in reverse order and much more positive:

• The "Much needing improvement" (it can only get better from here)

- The Swim (enough said)

• The "Needs some improvement":

- Biking speed and consistency
- On the Bike, because of the staggered start, you can be alone out there. Maybe see some people, maybe not. Make sure not to let my mind race.

• The "Good":

- Nutrition - Finally figuring it out
- No Chaffing

• The "Better and Best":

- The Run = AWESOME! I could have kept going. 3 years of running is paying off!
- About mile 8 of the bike, I remembered this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIT0hkM8i4Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player and began to JRA (Just Ride Along) and enjoy it!
- Telling people that already finished to come for the run with me
- Passing people and supporting them to keep going
- Post race shopping at Swag's and Border's for Sale items to reward myself and Heine Brother's Coffee
- Which triathlon do I do next?!?!?!?!?! (Of course, once I figure out swimming)

In closing, the motto that I have come up with for today:

- You Live, You Learn, You Tri again