3:30ish I was headed up the street to get gas and then on my way to Pasadena to pick up Lorelei and Brutus (her dog). A little after 4 we were on our way. The 101 freeway was so much nicer at 4-5 in the morning than it was yesterday afternoon when we went up to Oxnard to pick up the race packet stuff.
We arrived at Oxnard Beach Park and I made my way into transition to set everything up. I was grumpy to begin with since I was up so early. Sorry Lorelei!!!
As we stood around waiting for the Du to start annoyances built. First, it was a gaggle of women that felt like chatting and laughing it up. Maybe my mood of the morning made this more irritating than it really was...maybe it was the fact I like peace and quiet before I race. ...Note to self, bring MP3 player to drown out human annoyances before a race. Then it was a bunch of runners bitching about not being able to wear their iPods during the race. ...This is a losing battle to fight or argue about but I hate MP3 player use in competition period...no reason for them. If you can't run without the distraction from the pain then perhaps you should learn to find distraction within yourself instead of insisting on external sources like these.
Run1:
This run was 1.4 miles. It was supposed to be 2 but I guess they changed it at the last minute or measured wrong. I was in according to my watch in about 10:33. My lungs burned but I found a rhythm and stuck with it. I've slacked on my running too much for too long. I'm satisfied with my run time regardless.
T1:
Transition went smoothly. I was out of running shoes, visor and glasses were on the towel and I was changed and off with my bike. Transition spots were assigned by number and I happened to be on the farthest side from the bike exit. I don't like running in cycling shoes. Oh well, I picked up the bike and took off for the exit.
Bike:
It's amazing how many people aren't strong at cycling. It's my strength and I count on being able to make up as much time on the runners as possible while on it. Runners always beat cyclists so I have to give it a complete commitment. I passed everybody out on course and was overtaken by one. I finished the 11.1 mile bike in 29:12.
T2:
This transition was much like the last. It went smoothly and without a hitch.
Run2:
This run was 3 miles and it took me about 5 - 10 minutes it felt like to get my breaking under control. I'm sure it was only about 5 minutes but it felt like it took forever. I watched closely at the bib numbers of the runners around me and approaching me at turnaround points. It appeared I was in the lead in my age group. In fact, I was actually second. There was one guy that I obviously never passed out on the bike course.
Awards:
The awards ceremony was long. Duathletes were left to be announced last. ...After both Olympic and Sprint distance tri people of all age groups. I was getting irritated that the first group finished had to wait until last and then found out they were having issues with the race results and computer etc.
Photos:
I was talking with the guy I sprinted to the
finish line with while stretching.
Focused on something...
Immediately after sprint finish.
Sprint finish. Lorelei did get time to zoom in
since she wasn't expecting me in yet.
Going out on the bike.
Ready to start the run.
Moment of focus before the first run.
Messing with Brutus.
Early in the a.m. Not sure what I was doing.
After hearing the Star Spangled Banner. Naw, I don't still look like a Marine do I?!? =)
Finish line.
1 comment:
great recount of your 1st place win! It ALWAYS hurts and takes way too long to settle in on that 2nd run...hate that. :-)
Again, awesome job!
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