So, I am going to do another one. I had fun. Parts of it really sucked - I will always hate running, but it was a beautiful course and what's 2 hours out of my life to try and keep in shape? The website is here... http://www.piranha-sports.com/Race50.aspx
The day started at 5:30 AM - getting up and ready out of the hotel (Super 8 - NOT a Marriott - and you could tell) We drove to the staging area - arriving about 6:15. There was already a big crowd. We had picked up our race packets the day before. Good thing to - there was a long line for that. The packet includes all your numbers and such that you would need to mark your helmet, bike and wrap on your body to identify you (in my case in case medical attention ws needed :) It also includes a swim cap - which was another first for me. We stage our stuff - I see who the experienced people are and who the newbies are (like me). The pros "roll" their socks for easier on time during transition.....it works well actually....
At 7:15 we sing the National Anthem, then head down the .5 mile path in our bare feet, socks (me) or shoes to the ocean for the swim. There is a mini transition point there to avoid having much sand, it didn't work well for me. Did I mention that it was VERY cold? 53 degrees. Water temp 65. My feet were numb at this point :) We all gathered on the beach for the start. My age group went first.....the start bell went off and a mass of humanity went crazily into the sea. My re-occurring thought was that if I was a shark, THIS is the place to be.....but I went in anyway. the water wasn't bad as I thought it would be, but it could be cuz I was numb already. I wasn't trying to break any records, so I let all the fast guys go first. Okay, all the not so fast guys too.
Swimming in the ocean is WAY different than the pool. First, it's salty. Then there are all the people trying to go to the same point you are. Then the waves not caused by people....just when I had a rythm going, a wave would mess me up. The weirdest part was once we got to the buoy that marked the end, the water was freezing. Really odd. The trip to the transition point was the hardest, My calves are still sore from plowing through the loose sand to get to my socks. I had a couple of guys from the next waves pass me and comment how big my calves were. A compliment I guess, I felt like they were about to explode.
Walking to the transition to the bike was interesting, got passed by a couple of the fast girls at this point. The really cool thing was how supportive everyone is during a race. Doesn't matter how you are doing, people are there encouraging you to keep going. Which is very helpfull :)
So I make it to the bike and try to get all the sand off my feet cause I know it will shred my feet on the run. As I was going IN to get on my bike, a few of the really fast guys were getting off their bike to start the run. Impressive... Couple of guys had water they poured on their feet - will remember for next year. Fact: Mountian bikes are NOT the bike to have on a triathlon, but since I didn't know if I would do another, I went with what I had. Now I know to start looking for a new bike. Anyway the 14 miles through Lewes DE was very nice......beautiful little town. I pedalled like crazy and got passed by people like I was going backwards. Of course they had real bikes. My butt really hurt! Another reason to get a real bike....14 miles later, I make the transition to the run part.
The run sucked. If there was a dualathlon, with swim and bike, I would be all over it. I hate running. it hurts. I mostly walked because I couldn't get my shins to "let go" It always happened to me road marching in the Army, they would let go around 4-5 miles in. I probably only jogged a mile out of the three. The run snaked through the state park and old Fort Miles. Very pretty. The best part was the run to the end. My quads were cramping like crazy at this point. The end was neat. Lots of people cheering you on, even though I was near the end.....
All in all I will do more next year. It was fun.
Got on a plane last night, and now I am in Minneapolis MN - were it snowed. Nice. Heading to KC for my 20th reunion this weekend, then off to Orlando FL next week for another virtualization gig.
The park and town are beautiful! There is a campground, so I may take the family down next year for a campout...
The day started at 5:30 AM - getting up and ready out of the hotel (Super 8 - NOT a Marriott - and you could tell) We drove to the staging area - arriving about 6:15. There was already a big crowd. We had picked up our race packets the day before. Good thing to - there was a long line for that. The packet includes all your numbers and such that you would need to mark your helmet, bike and wrap on your body to identify you (in my case in case medical attention ws needed :) It also includes a swim cap - which was another first for me. We stage our stuff - I see who the experienced people are and who the newbies are (like me). The pros "roll" their socks for easier on time during transition.....it works well actually....
At 7:15 we sing the National Anthem, then head down the .5 mile path in our bare feet, socks (me) or shoes to the ocean for the swim. There is a mini transition point there to avoid having much sand, it didn't work well for me. Did I mention that it was VERY cold? 53 degrees. Water temp 65. My feet were numb at this point :) We all gathered on the beach for the start. My age group went first.....the start bell went off and a mass of humanity went crazily into the sea. My re-occurring thought was that if I was a shark, THIS is the place to be.....but I went in anyway. the water wasn't bad as I thought it would be, but it could be cuz I was numb already. I wasn't trying to break any records, so I let all the fast guys go first. Okay, all the not so fast guys too.
Swimming in the ocean is WAY different than the pool. First, it's salty. Then there are all the people trying to go to the same point you are. Then the waves not caused by people....just when I had a rythm going, a wave would mess me up. The weirdest part was once we got to the buoy that marked the end, the water was freezing. Really odd. The trip to the transition point was the hardest, My calves are still sore from plowing through the loose sand to get to my socks. I had a couple of guys from the next waves pass me and comment how big my calves were. A compliment I guess, I felt like they were about to explode.
Walking to the transition to the bike was interesting, got passed by a couple of the fast girls at this point. The really cool thing was how supportive everyone is during a race. Doesn't matter how you are doing, people are there encouraging you to keep going. Which is very helpfull :)
So I make it to the bike and try to get all the sand off my feet cause I know it will shred my feet on the run. As I was going IN to get on my bike, a few of the really fast guys were getting off their bike to start the run. Impressive... Couple of guys had water they poured on their feet - will remember for next year. Fact: Mountian bikes are NOT the bike to have on a triathlon, but since I didn't know if I would do another, I went with what I had. Now I know to start looking for a new bike. Anyway the 14 miles through Lewes DE was very nice......beautiful little town. I pedalled like crazy and got passed by people like I was going backwards. Of course they had real bikes. My butt really hurt! Another reason to get a real bike....14 miles later, I make the transition to the run part.
The run sucked. If there was a dualathlon, with swim and bike, I would be all over it. I hate running. it hurts. I mostly walked because I couldn't get my shins to "let go" It always happened to me road marching in the Army, they would let go around 4-5 miles in. I probably only jogged a mile out of the three. The run snaked through the state park and old Fort Miles. Very pretty. The best part was the run to the end. My quads were cramping like crazy at this point. The end was neat. Lots of people cheering you on, even though I was near the end.....
All in all I will do more next year. It was fun.
Got on a plane last night, and now I am in Minneapolis MN - were it snowed. Nice. Heading to KC for my 20th reunion this weekend, then off to Orlando FL next week for another virtualization gig.
The park and town are beautiful! There is a campground, so I may take the family down next year for a campout...
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