Lake Chaparell

My times have been posted, I put time and then overall placing in brackets.

3:18:13 Total Time (228) 41:25 Swim (233), 1:32 Bike (215) with flat Tire, 1:04 Run (197). The bike Computer said I rode for 1:17 so I lost 15 min in Transitions and that &%$#@&*^%$# FLAT TIRE!!!

I know that I need to work on the swim, I was 4:41 behind the guy infront of me. It was weird the first guys had finished their laps by the time I got to the first dock turn. I had to wait for a few guys to speed past while I started my 2nd lap. The canoe ladies were nice and got infront of me before I got too far off course. I was so happy to have the gent pull me up the dock. I survived the portion that had me the most worried. Swim done

My friend Dan said that I actually stagger ran to my transition spot so he knew I hadn't given up yet. My transition went well I was glad I went to that training session the day before that gave us ideas and option of how to do transitions. I got on that bike and didn't blow myself up on the first portion. I had sent an email to Team-x warning about the gravel and junk in the shoulder, jokingly said now I am going to get the flat... I did. It is a most sickening sound in the world. My hands were shaking so bad I could not undo the brake cable so I could get the tire off. A couple guys were on mtn bikes that were helping. For a moment I gave up, if they hadn't broke the rules and helped me I don't think I would have calmed myself to figure out what was wrong with the bike. The Cyclepath guys showed up with a floor pump and finished fixing the tire and sent me on my way. They had said they lost count of how many people had flats. I think next year they should ask for donations for a street sweeper. I know I would donate. As I climbed the hill a few of the fast guys blew past me and told me I was doing a great climb. Which did help motivate me. I kept up with a bunch of these guys as we came down the hill. I finally finished my first lap and I looked for the volunteer to show me the cone I had to go around... gone. The cop that was at the corner of 22X when I came back out was... gone. Thank goodness the green turn arrow light up just in time and I jumped 3 lanes to make the corner. All the way to the turn around spot all the volunteers were gone. I was getting mad, I passed the cop that was following who they thought was last. They called out "are you doing the triathlon?" all I could do was scream YES!!! On the last corner they were already taking down the cones and were standing in my lane and didn't hear my bell so I screamed bloody murder at him to get the hell out of my way. Finally in the transition zone, safely. Bike done.

I was amazingly fast in T2, I had a little trouble with getting my socks on so I might try to experiment without some other time. Off I went to run, I had my gel bottle with me and I just kept taking sips from it and stopping at the aid stations to drink Gatorade and splash water over my head and back. I passed Dan walking to his car, he had to get to Bowden and was running late. I gave him my tire irons that were rattling in my jersey from the tire change. Then I saw Kim parking her car as I finishing my first lap. Just after that I experienced my first cramp in my left hamstring, that hurt!! I passed through the lap zone and barely saw my parents. I actually heard my Dad say "Hey" in the way that only he can. At first I thought he was annoyed that I did not smile but I found out latter that people were in the way of his photo! :) I tossed my empty gel flask to the ground glad that I got rid of it near them so they would pick it up for me. I was beginning to get annoyed that all the people I passed or kept up with on the first lap were done and I had no idea how far ahead my competition was. I got my second cramp in the other hamstring at about 7ish Km. Oh that was a doozzy. I finally saw a person still running on the little out and back. I had 1/2 a lap or 2.5 Km to catch him, it is amazing what a "rabbit" ahead of you can help you keep going. On the last leg of the lap I had the pleasure of getting another cramp back in my left hamstring. This one had me scream out in pain and I ran like a one legged man, some kids looked over the fence to see what was going on. The volunteers cheered me as they picked up their equipment telling me to run through the pain. It took awhile but the pain did go away. I saw my rabbit ahead and I knew I could catch him, I finally did probably 750M away from the finish. I came snorting and gasping around that last corner into the finish area to have people jump out of my way and I got to cross that line and finally stop. It was a great feeling of accomplishment to cross the line. Run done.

As I finished I saw some of Team X hanging around waiting for the food to arrive. Mohammad had my sandals and glasses that I left behind with his friend on the beach so I didn't have to look for him too long. My parents got to meet him and Mike W while I tried to get my breath. It was highly recommended that I float in the lake to cool down and relax in. It worked very well and it hit me, I survived what I had set out in the middle of winter to accomplish. Eight months of planning, focus, and hard work went into today. I don't feel the dread of what is next like I have heard happen to people. I know what is next and I am looking forward to it. Olympic Distance Triathlon Done.

Email sent Friday before

Well folks here it is the event of my summer Lake Chaparral Olympic
Distance Triathlon.

All the hours following the blasted Black line in the pool, keeping up
with my great Team X friends on our epic bike rides, to finally learning
how to run with the wonderful people from the Kensington Running Room
Run Club.

This has been without a doubt in my mind my most favorite summer. I say
this now because I don't know how I will feel after Sunday. All I know
is that this is just the beginning, there is going to be many more races
in my future :)

Thank you all for your support and keep an eye on my website for updates
Randy