Lake Guntersville Olympic Triathlon: I Shivered, but I Didn't Drown, Crash, or Walk

I completed the Lake Guntersville Olympic Triathlon on May 4th, 2013. The day began with a 4:10 am departure from my house. 42° and pouring rain, there is fun ahead!

So, after picking up my packet and setting up my transition area, I stood around in my wetsuit with the other competitors and we shivered a lot. When it was near to time for the swim, about 50 triathletes were in the water. The swim starter announced over his bull horn that they would need to get out of the water in 3 minutes. The crowd declared, in unison, "What!". He said, "OK, you can stay there until your wave starts. Yes, the water was cold, but warmer than the air.

The swim was surprisingly fast since I had trouble starting, 8 minutes faster than last year, SURPRISE. My goggles leaked immediately. Note to self, tighter next time. In fact, when will I learn to get in the water and do a few strokes before the start! But, I got past it. Then, my swim cap started to come off. Tread water and fix that. Then, I got my rhythm and all was fine. Out of the water and into a super slow transition. I put on tights, bike show covers, compression shirt, jacket, and gloves. Off I went.

The ride was uneventful and felt smooth. The run seemed smooth as well and, in fact, I think it was longer than 6.2. My Garmin 910XT apparently only measured the distance in the water. I do NOT believe I ran 13 minute miles. But, I didn't walk. I had a fun exchange with a volunteer at the intersection to which we entered, turned left, turned around, passed, turned around, passed, turned around, and then exited. After returning from the first left and heading up hill, a volunteer said turn around at the cone at the top of the hill. Wanting to think positive (you know like thinking of a beach when you are cold), I said "the cone is at the bottom of the hill, right?" It was, but only after climbing, descending  and climbing and descending again. Yes, 2 hills and return from the bottom of the second.

I keep thinking that if I hang in there long enough that I am bound to become of one of the few in my age group and find a podium. But, judging by the examples of old fellows at this race, they are not fewer, but they are tougher. Maybe, when I'm 80.

Over the last 8 months, I seemed to have been plagued with injuries and illness (broken toe, minor tears in my the medial meniscus on both knees, and shingles). So, I was slow, but steady and pain free. Now, to start cranking it up.

Event Pictures (Thanks to Greg Gelmis and We Run Huntsville): Set 1 and Set 2

Results

May 4, 2013: Lake Guntersville State Park, AL Olympic Triathlon Time: 3:44:43
Nice Medal!	Swim	Distance: 1500 yds Time: 38:29 I measured 1696 yds 2012: 46:32
	Transition	Time: 7:42 2012: 3:15
	Cycle	Distance: 24 Miles Time: 1:33:21 Rate: 16.6 2012: 1:27:04
	Transition	Time: 4:35 2012: 1:19
	Run	Distance: 6.2 Miles Time: 1:20:36 Pace: 13:00 2012: 1:04:12
	Weather	Rain Temperature: 42.8° Humidity: 100% 2012: Overcast Temperature: 73° Humidity: 100%

Me during the event:

Note: I have decided that I should return to my habit of logging my race reports here. I regret not being able to look back an see them as I had in the past.

Update: the run was confirmed to be more like 7 miles by several folks with functional GPS. A little out -and-back was done 1 too many times.