Swim 500 Yards
Bike 16 Miles
Run 3.1 Miles
I didn't sleep very well so I had no issues getting out of bed when the alarm went off. I didn't plan very well for my race day breakfast. The hotel didn't serve breakfast before 6:30 AM and I was at the lake long before then so I ate a granola bar and drank a Gatorade for breakfast.
There were only a couple of cars at the lake when we arrived. The sun was shinning and yesterdays rain created a low level fog across the field. I was glad I was driving an SUV but I saw just as many cars in the field later in the day and I don't recall anyone getting stuck in the mud.
I grabbed my bike, my transition bag and I headed for the check-in. I had my bib number and age written on my arms and legs, now I can enter the transition area. My rack was just inside the transition area so it should be easy to find after the swim. There was another guy setting up so I take the second spot on the rack and setup my gear. This will be his first triathlon too and he was going to ride a mountain bike. We have to squeeze 10 bikes onto the rack so space was going to be tight. I decided to take my transition bag back to the car. I sat in the car and closed my eyes but I couldn't fall asleep.
I ate another granola bar and drank another Gatorade. I wanted to be over hydrated before the race started.
The lake was 63 degrees so I pulled on my wetsuit and headed for the lake. They sent us back to the transition area for the Star Spangled Banner. We walk across the timing mat and group into our waves. I'm in wave nine so I'll be one of the last groups entering the water. The swimmers have exited the lake before my group even entered the water. The timing chip was on a big piece of plastic and there was a discussion about taking the chip off before taking off the wetsuit. No one has a clear answer on the best procedure to get out of the wetsuit. Each wave got to swim for three minutes before their wave started. The water was freezing and it took my breath away. I went under water hoping I could acclimate my body to the water before my wave started but it didn't work.
I started in the middle of the wave because I am a slow swimmer, but I swam into other swimmers and they kept swimming into me. I couldn't find my rhythm and did the breast stroke for awhile. I made it to the first buoy but the second buoy looked very far away. I put my head down and just started swimming until I ran into someone. I did the breast stroke to get my bearings and started swimming again. I made it to the second buoy and headed for the beach. I remembered to keep swimming once I touched the ground but I forgot to engage my legs before it was time to stand up. In one big motion I stood up and reached back for the strap on my wetsuit. I almost fell over into the lake as I pulled on the strap. This was the very moment my wife took my photo. My legs didn't want to work and I walked across the beach. Once I got to the pavement I started running to the transition area.
I had trouble getting out of the wet suit so I took off my timing chip and hung it across the rear tire of my bike. I got the wetsuit off, put on my glasses, watch and helmet. I grabbed my bike and headed for the exit. The field was muddy and I was glad my new shoes were clipped to the bike pedals and held in place with rubber bands. I got to the timing mat and realized I didn't have my timing chip. I headed back to my bike rack and scanned the ground for the missing chip. I found the chip on the ground at my rack. I verified the number on the chip was mine so I strapped on the chip and headed out again. I crossed the mat, slid my left foot into my shoe and swung my right leg over the bike and into the other shoe. I peddled one revolution but the rubber bands didn't break. I reached down, broke both rubber bands and pulled the velcro closed as I rolled down the street. I followed a rider onto the main road, then I passed him and set my sights on the next rider in front of me. We turn left at the stop sign and start climbing the hill. Now I'm passing lots of riders and I'm glad this is a hilly bike course. The fifteen miles fly by and we are getting close to the last turn onto the road to the transition area. The rider ahead of me is in my age group and slowing down. I get annoyed following him and pass just before we turn off the main road. I noticed he was undoing his shoes so I reach down and undo the velcro straps on my shoes. I pull my feet out of the shoes and jump off the bike just before the timing mat.
I racked my bike and take off my helmet. My socks are rolled up inside my shoes. I pull on my socks and shoes, grabbed my hat and a drink of water and started running. Just before we left the transition area there were volunteers handing out water. Note to self, you shouldn't have wasted time getting a drink at your rack. We ran on the road for a short distance before turning onto a rails to trails path. The trail was flat, shaded and covered with small stones, a perfect trail for a triathlon. I felt great and kept passing everyone. Before long I was at the turn around heading back towards the finish line. Just before we left the trail and got back onto the road I passed a guy in my age group. I lost track of how many people I passed but I know only three people passed me and none were in my age group. I sprinted for the finish line but I couldn't catch the guy ahead of me. It's a good thing he wasn't in my age group.
Did you notice my feet were not touching the ground in this photo? There were four photos of me running in this triathlon and my feet were not touching the ground in any of the photos. I guess I was running on air that day.
Bob Gannon
Chip Timing 1:31:36
Finished 126
Finished 111 out of 401 men
Finished 5 out of 26 in my age group
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