60th Birthday today!

Today is my 60th birthday!  When I was 40, I couldn't run a mile without stopping! 

Last Friday, I rode my trail bike in the woods for 17 miles, Saturday morning I ran 16.6 miles on those same trails, Sunday morning I rode my tri bike 66 miles from my house around Lake Monroe, and then went to Lucky's Lake on Memorial Day and swam 2 kilometers.  I'm not ready for the rocking chair yet!  I could not have done any of this without the support and love of my wife of 34 years, Sandy!  Thanks to all my swimming, biking, and running friends and my friends and co-workers at Ernst & Young!

Sandy & Jack at Garden Gate in Mount Dora

Memorial Day 2k swim at Lucky's Lake on May 27

# 121 Orlando Triathlon at Baldwin Park

Today was my 9th time competing in the Orlando Triathlon at Baldwin Park.  The location is a new urban center located on the old Orlando Navy base, just east of downtown.  Located around the town center, this venue is unusual for 2 things: the weedy lake swim and the 4 lap bicycle course.  Over the years, the schedule has been modified to let the Elites start 20 minutes ahead of everyone else.  This cuts down on passing issues on the crowded. multi-lap bike ride.  I met 2 ladies,  Kim Fitzgerald & Leslie Adams, in transition before the race as Leslie had a flat tire and I helped her with it.

I had a great swim (19:54) but was surprised when Bob Weller, who I've met before, passed me on the long swim exit to transition area run.  Bob then exited transition 20 seconds ahead of me.  I caught him on the bike inside the first mile and pushed hard, averaging 20.5 for the 12 miles.  I finished my 4th lap over 3 minutes ahead of him and added a bit more through a fast transition.  While his run time was a little faster than me, I finished 1:23 ahead of him with a final time of 1:15:16 for 1st place.  After two 2nds in my first two races, I was ready for my first win of 2013, which was also my first for the 60-64 age group.  Mike Johnson finished 3rd and we all posed for a picture at the awards

Bob Weller 2nd, Jack 1st, Mike Johnson 3rd

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# 120 Cape Coral Sprint Triathlon

Whenever we travel, I try to find a race to do but usually discover the event is the week before or the week after we're there.  This year, however, the Cape Coral Sprint Triathlon was on a Saturday morning after our Friday arrival.  I arose early as it was an hour drive plus I wasn't too sure of it's location.  It was not a USA Triathlon sanctioned event so everything was more casual than usual.

I wore my new Central Florida Tri Club top which really stands out in a crowd; see the swim start pic.  The organizers did a mass start so the swim (which took me 6:30) was a bit wild.  The 12 mile bike course was 2 loops through local neighborhoods with lots of traffic control (and drafting); I averaged 21mph.  Conditions were still pleasant for the 5K run  which had a surprise twist at the end onto the beach.  My run time of 26:54 resulted in a 1:06:54 finish time, good for 2nd place out of 6. 

I was aiming at the 60-64 course record of 1:07:34 (which I beat) except that 1st Place finished in 1:02:02!  The overall trophies were cool LED blocks of Lucite which changed colors.