# 147 Tomoka Triathlon

Today's Tomoka Tri in Ormond Beach was a pure delight!  Big turnout for my club, Seminole County Triathletes.

In my third time at this event, I felt great throughout all three disciplines.  Even the swim was fun in spite of the strong current in the Halifax River.  I got off course twice when the current pushed me sideways.  I took off on the bike leg and wisely took it easy going over the big bridge at the start.  With almost no wind, I was blasting along at 20+ mph for a long time.  I averaged 19.9 mph for many miles and even the climb back over the bridge only dropped me to 19.6 in total.  I was passed once during the bike however, dropping me to 6th place.  My run was great, with 8:16 mile splits and I caught 5th place and then 4th place before the finish.  My final placing of 4th out of 9 was buoyed by the fact that 7 of my competitors all turned 60 this year, joining the 60-64 age group.  The 9th place guy was 61 and I'll be 64 in a week, moving up to 65-69 next year.  Final time was 1:27:21.

Little Moulton gets lost in the crowd

Friends in the club

Swim course on Halifax River

Exiting the swim

Heading out

On the move

31 mph off the bridge then a hard right

Slowing for transition

Starting run

Big finish!

Great time!

# 146 Cape Coral Triathlon

I did this race 4 years ago as it coincided with my vacation on Captiva Island.  That happened again this year and I found the event much more organized (and USA Triathlon sanctioned now).
SW Florida had some very windy spring weather so the Caloosahatchee River was quite choppy for the mass start.  I had a great bike ride on the 2 lap course through Cape Coral, averaging 19.1 mph.  My runs continue to be solid, with a 8:28 mile split over the 5k.  I finished 2nd in my age group and was very pleased.  Met some nice people after the race too.

Moon over transition

Early bird gets the front of the rack

R.K. and Tiger; she won Female GrandMasters

Duane Rice finished first to my second

# 145 St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg

Over 3,000 did the Olympic distance triathlon today at St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Florida. This is an Olympic-distance triathlon but the Race director cut the swim down to 800 meters because it was so rough. I did the 40k bike leg in 1:21:02 for an average speed on 18.1 mph. You know it's windy when you're motoring along at 22 mph, round a corner and you drop to 16 mph instantly. 10k run was fast and the wind kept you cool; 9:01 mile splits. 

Swim start

Final time was 2:45:56 for a 24th out of 54. Lots of positive comments about the Moulton bicycle during the bike leg from riders around me. 

Judy did great!

Madeleine and Sister Madonna Buder

Enrique and friends

Judye and I

Friends did well too with former pro Alec Rukosuev finishing 4th in 50-54 age group in his first race in years. Madeleine Verwilt Vergauwen got a 3rd in her race and met Sister Madonna Buder and Judye Sokolov Leavitt turned in a great performance, improving at each race she does. Enrique Mercado got a great 4th in the Sprint Tri! 

Vinoy lobby

We finally stayed at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel with great views of the water. Sandy Finucan got Lemon Souffle Pancakes for breakfast there, delivered by the chef himself!