IronDork

The weather was amazing!! A little breezy, what with the incoming hurricane and all. Low 60s in the morning, high of upper 70s. Durn near perfect race conditions.
Unfortunately I was not willed in before 10 hours like I thought I might have been. I actually had to move my body. But I am really happy with my time. I have accepted thatI will probably never qualify for Kona. It is so much more competiitive than I ever imagined. I overcame some mishaps, too and got personal bests in all 3 (except the swim, but we had to walk/run about 50-100 yds between swimable water and the beach 4 times, so I did swim better (vineman was 1:09 something with no beach entrance/exit).
On the home stretch of the first swim lap my goggles were removed completely from my head by the feet in front of me. I though I was totally hosed, but I found them floating nearby and got them back on my face. I don't know what I would have done!
Then in the bike there were HUGE packs forming. It was practically unavoidable to ride in a pack. Technically - drafting is illegal in triathlon. I had issues with the principle of it, but figured that those who are qualifying ARE riding in packs. So I was in one with probably 50 others and - as luck would have it - I was beaned with a red card. The motorcycle ref told me to go to the next penalty tent (15 miles down the road) so I did and had to wait 4 minutes before re-starting. I looked up the bike time of the guys in the pack I WAS in. They rode a 4:47. That would have cut 15 minutes off my bike split! I ended up in another unavoidable pack - yet smaller - around mile 80. I took my fair share up front! Then with 12 miles to go I dropped them like suckas and fought the last 30 minutes solo.
The run is always just a struggle for me. I ran fast for about 2 miles, then I walked aid stations trying to settle my twisted up guts and cool down - not a lot of shade. I actually walked quite a lot, looking back. Oh well. I left room for improvement, right?

Bike the Run Course

Went for a super easy spin on the run course to try and familiarize.
Rode 13 miles in 54 minutes.
Went to the Baptist free breakfast, then checked my bike into transition.
Could have rested better this day, but family is first!
Sore legs and a really sore back/SI joint.
Should have hit the massage table.
Wifey poo hammered on my back for a bit and I think it helped.

Practice Swim

I went out just as they were setting up the practice buoys. Small groups of people were wet-suited up and ready to swim, too. I just wanted to get a feel for ocean swimming - Salt Water, Chop, Animals, etc. I had not picked up my wetsuit yet, so I went out in a speedo, goggles, and a swim cap. I actually got an applause from a shivering clan getting psyched up to swim in their wetsuits. I ended up swimming the whole course (one lap). I got stung by little jelly fish, saw one and other fish, too. I fely very buoyant (salty) and felt really good. Swam slow and strong.