Spring Fever Triathlon

Today was the Spring Fever Triathlon in Claremore at the Rec. Center. What a beautiful place! Claremore is really fortunate to have such a place. It started out today looking like that we were going to get soaked, but other than a few sprinkles, it was dry and a breezy day. This would be my third tri and second one with a pool swim. I get really nervous about the swim as it is my weak point. Today they split us up into swim groups based upon our estimated swim times. I was in the slow group and we were to start first. Number 167 started first and then every 10 seconds after that, a new swimmer was in the water. My number was 201 and had a little wait, but it was not for long. I did OK in the water, did not panic, but made the mistake of letting a couple of people go ahead of me and I ended up catching them and having to pull up. Before I knew it, it was time to go to the bike. I had the bright idea of putting my shoes into the clips like the pros do, but when I got out of transition, I could not get my feet into the shoes and had to pull them off and put my feet in them and clip back in. I do not know how much time it cost me, but it was a few minutes. I finally took off on the bike and realized that whoever said that the bike course was mainly flat was full of baloney. It was rolling hill after hill and thought I had a decent bike. I got back in to transition and looked at my watch and I was not happy with my bike. I made it out of transition at 50 minutes for my two mile run. The last quarter or half mile of the first mile was up a big hill and it was horrible. I made it up and back down and ran in according to my watch at 1:03:32. Official time was 1:03:45, not for sure what happened there. Overall it was good day, but I am not happy with my time. I know I need to improve my swim, but my bike is not where it should be. It is very humbling going from placing a lot in runs to not placing at tri's. I know it takes time, but I am impatient. I will work harder at it and see what I can do. I am going to try and put it out of my mind for now as next on the list is OKC and qualifying for Boston. See ya next weekend!

Me coming out of the swim. Great to be still alive!
On the bike after getting my shoes on. Geez!
The transition area.
This guy was 80 years old and competed today. What a stud! Although I guess at 8o he is not worried about clothing. Seems to be a trend at the YMCA also.

After all is said and done, this is what you look like. Sacked on the couch and he did not even run.