# 177 Clemont Sprint Triathlon in August

Had a great time in Clermont yesterday, completing triathlon #177. I've improved my finishing time by 2 minutes over the second race and 4 minutes over the first.  My swim was 2 minutes faster but my bike and run were identical to the previous race; 1:19:26 final.

Placed fifth out of nine in my age group. James Mayer, who always won my age group for years, announced he's moving to New York, so at least I can move up one place! Enrique Mercado amazed all his friends by competing after being told he'd never run again after knee surgery several years ago. Never give up. 

Kerry Librada Girona was the first Female and second overall. I was surprised to see I'm in fourth place for the Series Championship despite my recovery. Loved the aerial views that Sommer Sports posted of the event! Ran into Dawn Lane who we met in Chicago in 1992.

 

Alway aim the Hammer logo toward the camera.

Transition view

Dawn Lane

Race Director Michelle Craske and Kerry Librada Girona (2nd OA)

James Mayer, perennial winner

Clermont beach start

Bill Black, Clydesdale winner

Susan Haag, Multiple Ironman finisher

Enrique Mercado returns

# 176 Aunt Catfish/Port Orange Triathlon

Great triathlon today; #176 at Port Orange, Florida.  Sunrise over the Atlantic was beautiful.

Calm salt water swim in the Halifax River followed by a great bike ride on the Moulton SST. Averaged 18.6 mph over 12 mile bike with a max of 31.4 coming down the Intracoastal Bridge. Held onto first place until just after mile 3 on the run. Mark Krodel, who I beat by 2 seconds at the 2017 event, pushed hard on the run and caught me, winning by 40 seconds. I stayed with him for abit but the run was full sun and it was hot!  

Eric Graveling returned to tri after a layoff and won first overall. Other friends included Tommey Brady, David M Robinson III, Carrie Campbell, and Adele Birney. Dolphins were on the swim course when I went to collect my bike. Second out of 3 at the finish; good to be back on the podium.

Transition overlooking swim course

On the rack

Eric leaves the water

Eric in the lead

First in Age Group at this point.

Still in First but Mark was coming

4 miles, hot and sunny!

Eric takes First!

Carrie running in!

David finishes!

Happy with Second Place!

# 175 Clermont Sprint Triathlon in July

 Triathlon #175 is in the books. Great morning in Clermont with part sun so the temps stayed in the 80s on the final run leg; another big crowd. James Mayer won my age group (again).  

Andreas Moraitis and Kerry Librada Girona tore up the course again with Kerry 1st Woman OA and Andreas winning 40-44 Male, a tough group. Rob Marens pulled down a 10th in 35-39.  

I took it easy at the June race, finishing 6th out of 6 with a time of 1:24:13; today I was a little faster on the swim, bike, and the run and got 1:22:23. This put me in 6th place...out of 11. Half the field was 65 so they just aged up into my group 65-69. Had a marvelous time with lots of friends after the race; pizza for recovery, yum!

Great venue!

Dawn

with James Mayer, AG winner

with Andreas and Kerry

Moulton SST at the ready

with Rob Marens

Big crowd

Hammer Recoverite and pizza!

Happy finisher!

Rob and Deanna

Kerry flying into T2

Day is done

#174 Clermont Sprint Triathlon in June

 Yesterday was my 174th triathlon but more importantly my first Tri since my crash in September 2020. I was surprised by how difficult it was to return to my former fitness level with all the time off. I took it easy, pacing myself and enjoyed the race; I was almost 5 minutes slower than this race in 2020 and finished 6th but had no issues at all (I was 3rd in 2020)  

Very happy to see lots of friends there and almost 800 people were racing. James Mayer won my Age Group (usual) and Kerry Librada Girona won Female OA. Met another Hammer athlete, Jordan Taylor, before the start. John Paul Russo adjusted my bike before the start. Now I just have to work at picking up my pace in training. Rode 16 miles this morning and felt fine!