Though I don't think that happened, I did have a good race. I swam the mile in 29 minutes. That's a little slower than I did it last year. I blame it on the 70 degree water and some wetsuit issues. But I also haven't been swimming as much as I have in previous years. All in all, an addition of 1 1/2 minutes isn't too bad!
The bike was where I really improved. The 26 mile (41k) course is a beast with a few rolling hills. And in the past couple of rides, it's been a real mental game for me. But on Sunday, with lots of other people out there (passing me, that I was passing, that I could just plain see), it was much better. Last year it took me 1 hr and 43 minutes, this year it took me 1 hr 35 minutes. So, for me, that's a pretty good improvement.
There was a crash on the bike course. I'm not sure what happened but another amateur athlete had an accident and was medivacced out shutting down the bike course for 20 minutes. I don't know what happened--the only paper reports "multiple injuries" but Julie said there was a lot of blood. Hopefully he'll be ok. My mom was at transition and reported a lot of people crashing there as well. A combination of nerves, slick pavement for the on and off rain showers, and inexperience I guess?
Then, the run. Oh, the joy. I improved my time over last year. Wait for it. By 9 seconds. That's right people, 9 seconds. I did have some issues during the run, like shin splints for the first 2 miles, but I actually felt better than I did last year. maybe I could have pushed myself harder, but it's not like I was "in it to win it" so I'm just glad I could still walk afterwards!
Sarah had a great race, Julie, despite being disappointed, still managed to average 21 mph on the bike (to my 16 mph) and a 7 minute mile on the run (BLECH!)
So it took me 3 hrs and 26 minutes overall, and Sarah 3 hrs and 6 minutes. I'm pretty pleased with that. It took Julie on 2:28, but then, she is a duathlon champion.....
My friends Stefanie, her husband Brian and their friend Mark did the race as a relay team for the third year in a row (each year they do a different leg). They finished this year in an official time of 3 hrs and 22 minutes...but really you need to subtract 20 minutes because Stef got caught on the bike leg for the life-flight.
So, the training continues--my next race is in two weeks in New Jersey.... But the tough one is out of the way!!!
My sister Sarah Aloise, Julie Deery and me after the finish. (The space blankets are to keep us warm.)
