All Done

Overall, the race went ok. I really was in it just for fun because of my foot. I knew there was no way I was going to break any personal records or anything.
It WAS fun.
The swim was absolutely terrible. The second worst swim race I've ever done.
My pre-race nutrition was just all wrong. I ate way too much, I drank coffee, and I had 800mg (4 tablets) of ibuprofen to block any foot or knee pain. This concoction, along with the cold water, and lack of ANY warm up exercises caused me to cramp up right away, I got kind of panicked and basically slogged through the entire swim course.
In used to waking up early, eat a banana and my pre-workout drink and then swim 2.4 miles. I can do this non-stop.
This morning, it was all about the timing mistakes, I guess. I was up at 4:30am, but the race didn't start until 7:05. I wanted to eat, but not be hungry by the time the race started. Coffee- big no no. Ugh.
Very irritating.
I should have just waited until 30 minutes before the race to do my normal thing. Note taken.

By the time I got out of the water, I was home free and really didn't care about transition times, I jus wanted to do well on the bike, and finish the run on two feet.
I averaged 21mph on the bike, which is good, and 10:20 min miles on the run just to get through it.
About halfway through the run, I kept telling myself:
"just take it easy, Phil. Nice and slow. You've got an injured foot and ankle. Easy."

That's when the guy with only one leg passed me.

I'm such a wuss. Hahaha!
It'll all come back.

It was a good race and I'm ready to volunteer for the Ironman on May 21st.

Transition area at about 6am this morning.








KoP

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The Night Before

Pre-race jitters?
Not really.
I was just talking to Amy, reminiscing about my first triathlon in Athens, Tx a few years ago. Man, I couldn't sleep, and I must have gone over my gear a hundred times. I even practiced tying my shoes and strapping on my helmet.
Funny.
I've got all my gear together right now, packed away and sitting in the Jeep. I know what time I need to get up, and what I need to do when I get there.
I'm ready.
My wave goes into the water at 7:05am.
I'll be waking up at 4:30.

Amy will be there taking pictures as always. It's going to be a good day.

Here's the Swim start. Wish me luck!



KoP


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Closer...

Two days until the race.
I'm getting excited. I think the water is going to be a little cold. I'm kind of a pansy with cold water. Messes up the breathing. It's been in the 50s in the mornings this week.
I have two different weather apps on my phone. One says it'll be 64 degrees at 7am on Saturday morning, the other says 72.
I dunno.
I'm going to bring my wetsuit, but it is a hinderance that could easily add 5 minutes to my overall time. If at ALL possible, I'm going in without it.

I finally got my bib number: 103
Cool.






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Race Timing

Man.
I may have made a wee little mistake. I went to the gym yesterday afternoon and worked out arms. Those darn skull-crushers have my triceps really sore. I think it affected my swim... at least the way I FELT.
The swim itself went very well. I'm trying to figure out the best warm up before the race.
Go hard and fast for 300 meters or so, then get the heart rate back down before the 500 meter all-out swim,
Or
Go nice and easy for 400-500meters before going all out on the swim?
I think the latter is the way to go.
I've done the fast warm up, and my 500meter race tine was 8:28, which is AWESOME... except for one thing: I miscounted my laps. I only swam 450 meters...
That HAS to be the case because today I did the slow warm up and made SURE I got the full 500 meters in for a time of 8:52.
Now, that may seem slower than my other time, but it is, in fact, faster. It means I added 50 meters, but only added 34 seconds. That is VERY good.
I compared my time to race times from last year and it looks like 8:52 would fall somewhere around the top 10%.
I'd be happy with that. Heck, I might improve if this soreness goes away.
Fingers crossed...



KoP

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Hmm.

Where I spent a good portion of today... Rearranging then playing.







KoP

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