100Triathlons

Sunday, May 26, 2019

# 162 Tomoka Triathlon in Ormond Beach

Triathlon #162 today: Third time's the ...err, fourth times the charm, First place at the Tomoka Triathlon.

Funny thing, the previous races, there were up to 7 guys in my age group; today I was the only one in 65-69. However, I did beat all six in the 60-64 age group by 8 minutes so I was happy. Good swim, fast bike, smooth run; 1:31:51 finish. Swim was in the Halifax River (salt) and I cut my foot on an oyster at the start but didn't notice it until after the race. Bike leg starts with a climb over the bridge and finishes with a climb over the bridge. After the first 5 miles on US 1, the roads back were all new pavement, so it was very quick, averaging 18mph for the 15.29 miles. Lots of friends from Seminole County Triathletes there too.

Hammermobile in the first spot

Transition and swim start

Carrie Campbell

David & Carrie

Moulton SST in waiting

Seminole County Triathletes' founder Billy Price

Heading out on the bike

Mile 1 on the run

Strong finish!

Proud winner!

First place award!

Carrie, Geri and I

Race venue is the site of the Ormond Hotel, built in 1894. The cupola in the park is a replica of the one at the top of the hotel.

# 161 Cape Coral Sprint Triathlon

Excellent race today with a solid third place in my age group. First triathlon of 2019; #161 in my life.

My bike ride on the Moulton was the second fastest bike split, averaging 18.9 mph over the flat course. New aero wheels working well. Run was hot in the downwind sections at an 8:35 pace. The run course is spread out with several switchbacks so I could see the people ahead of me and the ones behind. Fourth place was running at the same pace as me but I had him on the bike. Course change from previous years; no more beach finish.

Always the early bird

Happy with third!

First thru third and Grandmaster

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Real Florida 5k10k in Wekiwa

Saturday was a trail race in my favorite training ground, Wekiwa Springs State Park. Being on the Board of Wekiva Wilderness Trust, I help gather the sponsors for this race. This was the 32nd running and we had our biggest field yet. I went to Panera at 6:30 AM to get the bagel donation and returned by 7:00. People were already gathering for the 8:30 start; 10k goes first (me) and then the 5k four minutes later.

At the gun, I surged right away because passing is difficult so after 1/2 mile, I was passed by about 10 people. A few more passed me as we got to the Tramway section and then I began passing a few back. It was about 85' and sunny so people began wilting after the 5k split. I maintained my 9:30 pace, occasionally dropping to 9:05. The hilly sections began to slow me a bit but I felt myself picking up the pace at 4 miles. I began passing 5k walkers with a mile to go, especially in the uphill sections. I crossed the line with a time of 1:00:39, good for first in my age group and 26th out of 73 overall.

Brian Sharon blistered the 10k with a 40:30 time and Tim Hay won 60-64 with Jim Payne right behind him. Gary Cohen won his age group in the 5K. Jeff Cuddeback came to cheer on Tim and everyone had a great time.

Gary, Jeff, Jim & Tim

Gary, Deborah, Jeff, and Jim

Finish Line

Awards

Jim Payne from WESH2 and Tim Hay

Myself with Jim Payne

Jeff taking it easy

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Dawn to Dusk 12 Hour Endurance Challenge 2019

Saturday, February 16, was the 5th Annual D2D race for Seminole County Triathletes. After my 3rd Place Solo Male Finish in 2018 with 45 miles, I was excited to do this race again. 2019 brought a change in venue; moving from Fort Mellon Park in Sanford to Stone Island in Debary. My off season training was a bit off though, further complicated by sinus allergies starting 2 weeks before the race.

I arrived at 5:30, finding the park with no problem, though with the recent rains, the parking area was bit soggy. Rob Marens and Amy Fedock were very gracious in letting me set up in their canopy so I was guaranteed shade throughout the day. I arranged my supplies for easy access and prepared for the race. Temps were around 60 and the starting line had a nice view of Lake Monroe. The field was large, with 10 teams, 102 Solo Women and 94 Solo Men. As the eastern sky brightened, the race began at 6:30 AM. Headlamps were necessary for the first laps but it got bright quickly. The north part of the 1.1 mile course was sheltered but a stiff breeze came off Lake Monroe as we ran along the shore. The breeze continued all day, bringing relief as the day warmed to 80'.

Many friends from SCT were competing along with my neighbors Dustin Radney and Ashley Samples. I took breaks at mile 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35. I experienced discomfort in my legs but nothing that would stop me. I thankfully used enough lube on my feet and pressure points to avoid any blisters or discomfort. I noticed people dropping out in the 9th hour and fewer on the course every hour after that. At 6:25 PM, I crossed the line with 40 laps (1.1 miles) which totaled 44 miles. This was good for 5th Place in Solo Male and 16th OA. Becca Lingren won OA with an amazing 68.2 miles and Ty McLaren placed 2nd OA and won the Men's with 62.7 miles. I was the highest placed male over 50 (at 65). I was very satisfied with my performance. I feel with more training, I could hit 50 miles in the twelve hours next year. Dustin and Ashley's six person team won the Coed Division with an amazing 91 miles. Amy got 3rd Individual Female with 60.9 miles.

1 minute to start

Dawn pending

Joe Rodriguez and I; he finished 2 miles ahead of me in 4th.

Another lap coming up

Becca Lindgren; 1st Overall with 68 miles!

Jack and Becky last 2 laps

2 minutes to finish!

Fifth Individual Male!

Monday, October 22, 2018

# 160 Great Floridian Triathlon in Clermont

My 160^th triathlon did not finish the way I planned but I did finish. This was the 28^th edition of the Great Floridian Triathlon put on by Sommer Sports in Clermont, Florida. This is an iron-distance race, broken up with each segment in 3 laps. That way, competitors can choose the full, 2/3, or 1/3 distance. I was doing the 1/3 for the third consecutive year. This race inaugurated the new Victory Pointe Triathlon Park that the city of Clermont finished last month. It’s about ½ west of the Waterfront Park, the triathlon venue that held events for decades. Fred Sommers gave me a great number, 655; 65 years and 5 months old. Several friends including Reeli Reenu, Amy Fedock, Ryan Ridge and Meggan Ann Johnson were also competing in the 1/3, Ryan for his first time.

I arrived at 5:30 since I wasn’t sure about the parking and setup at a new course. Everything was very well laid out and I got my bike racked quickly. The little Moulton caused a stir when a number of racers from Miami were fascinated by it sitting among all the big wheels. One guy even brought friends from another rack over to see it. I was grateful when my friend Tim Delaney, piped up from down the row, “Don’t worry, he’s plenty fast on it”.

Our usual Florida fall cooldown had not happened yet and the early morning temps were in the mid-70 with sunny skies and a hot day predicted. Since the 1/3 group went last, we started at 9:00 AM, the idea being that the full and 2/3 people all exit the water roughly together. The .8-mile swim was great with the water at 82 degrees and with the sun getting high made it rather fun. Heading out on the bike was a new adventure as the new location also meant a new course.

The 42-mile bike course started out by rounding Lake Minneola away from the swim start and the first climb began about mile 7. Then the fun began. Lake County is bisected by the Lake Wales Ridge and many of the roads near Clermont have steep, rolling hills around them. All during the bike ride if I wasn’t climbing I was descending, usually around 30+ mph. We rode through scenic Monteverde and hilly Ferndale and then Buckhill Road. I was feeling great with plenty of nutrition and hydration aboard. However, it was now past 11:00 AM and getting very hot. I had passed dozens of other riders during the climbs as the Moulton and I were performing well. Mile 30 brought Sugarloaf Mountain into view and I made sure I was well fueled and hydrated before starting. The climb up is a very tough 14% especially after Buckhill’s multiple 11% rollers so I just put my head down and climbed in my lowest gear, passing other cyclists walking their way up. Chasing two other cyclists down the backside brought me to 39.4 mph as I rounded the tight, left hand turn at the bottom. As I headed onto the remaining hills, I felt the heat for the first time. Maybe I really got hot climbing Sugarloaf but the bike computer showed 96’ f in the noonday sun. Going back to Clermont put me on a wide open 6 lane highway and the pavement radiated heat. The computer showed 98’ and then flickered several times at 103’ and 104’. My left calf was getting tight and my inner right leg hurt briefly during another climbing. Coming off another hill on Rocky Ridge Road, I hit 41.7 going into a left hand, sweeping curve. Very exciting but the wind was not cooling me down. I averaged 15.6 on the bike course.

Racking the bike, I changed my shoes, grabbed my hat, number, and hydration belt and headed out on the nine mile run. I was taken by the fact that almost no other racers were around. The heat was tremendous and it was evident this was going to be a survival run. I had my white sun sleeves on and my ice bandana around my neck. My run/walk was agile enough to occasionally pass people but it was evident that we were all suffering. I was drinking plenty and dosing myself with ice water but the hot sun was relentless along the lakeshore. My calf stayed tight for the entire run but didn’t hurt any worse and nobody passed me the whole 9 miles. I rolled into the finish in downtown Clermont, grateful that my race was over. While my time was slow compared to previous years, I was only 18 minutes behind first so I garnered second place for my efforts with a time of 5:29:10. Third was 1:29:15 behind me so I know he was having a terrible time. This was truly an epic day and I was happy to do so well. Reeli (3rd) , Amy (4th) and Meggan (6th) all finished well but Ryan came in with a 8:03:00 in a race that was sheer guts; I would have quit! Thanks to the race organizers and volunteers for a great event.