Saturday, May 06, 2017

Race Report: 2017 Lake Guntersville Olympic: I Was a Bonehead, but Didn't Drown, Crash, or Walk


Overview

Like last year, the race began the day before. The day before, I was in Vero Beach, Florida doing my job. But, this year John is off later to hike the Appalachian Trail in Georgia with his Scout troop. I am off to this race at 4:00 am. Unlike last  year, no doom, not nausea, just a little light on sleep. I was up preparing until 11:00 pm and out of bed at 3:00 am. But, all good.

The Race

The race felt good to me. I was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly I settled in for the swim. The Aqua Sphere googles I was inspired to get after seeing them at last year's Ironman Florida worked great; no leak, no fog. And, I did not swim this route despite what Garmin says. It was a two-loop swim. I did not cut it short and swim to the middled of the lake. Technology!


Despite feeling good and thinking I did well, not to mention having just aged up to the 60-65 age group, I finished 5 of 5 in my age group. In fact, relative to the whole field I was 102 of 119. And, amongst the males 80 of 86. I guess that makes me old and slow. So be it; I did it. Details from the official results.

The Bonehead: I Locked My Car Key in the Car!

I usually put my car key in a pocket in my triathlon race bag. The bag normally goes under my bike on the rack. But, after setting up transition, I decided I was so close to the car, I might as well just put the bag in the car and leave my transition area a little less cluttered. And for good measure, I made sure I locked the car. I realized this sad fact about 10 miles in the the bike. I had to repeatedly tell myself, "there is nothing you can do until you finish this." The race director solicited help from the crowd and someone call AAA for me. All ended well, and I my hero was Donnie from Cullman. 

Sophia Lal stayed to make sure I was able to get on the road. She is so sweet and caring. Afterwards, she talked me into visiting Unclaimed Baggage. Which required driving all the way around the lake or so it seemed. But, it was beautiful; Alabama has some beautiful countryside.  I didn't buy anything, but it was hard to avoid. Cool place. A late lunch with Sophia at a BBQ place. She and I had really talked in months. Then, we hit the road; me to home, she to Oak Mountain. She was trying to get there before 7:00. She passed me on the highway quite swiftly. 

Details

May 6, 2017: Lake Guntersville
Olympic
Time: 3:28:33 (45 seconds slower than 2016)

a
SwimDistance: .93 miles (1.5K)
Time: 32:45 (10 mins faster than 2016)
TransitionTime: 3:38
BikeDistance: 24.8 Miles (40K)
Time: 1:38:09 (11 minutes slower than 2016)
Rate: 15.7 mph
TransitionTime: 3:40 (potty break included)
RunDistance: 6.2 Miles (10K)
Time: 1:10:23
Pace: 11:55
WeatherClear
Temperature: 50-65°
Humidity: 100-59%

Pictures



I knew they were Shooting
Thought it was done




Vulcan Tri Members & Friends

No comments: