100Triathlons: June 2017

Sunday, June 25, 2017

# 149 Tri-Y Triathlon in Ormond Beach

Saturday was the Annual Tri-Y Triathlon in Ormond Beach. Close to the Tomoka Triathlon site but this swim is in the ocean and the run is on the beach.
When I arrived at 5:30 AM, the temperature was 77' f, a good indicator of how hot this race would be. The race director had a small problem; no one had showed up to unlock the bathrooms. Lucky for me, I had brought my own! I got the Moulton racked as the sky began lightening over the Atlantic Ocean and began warming up before the race. A few friends from Seminole County Triathletes were also doing the race so it was nice to see familar faces. All the competitors then headed down the beach to the swim start at 7:00 AM. I was in the first group and we hit the waves right on time. Ocean swims are always interesting as the swimming starts after you get through the surf to the first buoy. The strong tidal current running to the north speeded me along but then became a factor when staying on course after the turn toward the beach. I changed direction several times to stay online with the finish. Exiting the water, I jumped on my bike and headed west toward the Halifax River. Riding along the river for miles was a pleasure as the heavy foliage and trees sheltered me from the wind. My average speed was up to 19.5 mph when I made the turn back south on Route A1A. The pleasurable view of the ocean was spoiled by the stiff headwind I encountered all the way back; my final average was 18.6. Racking the bike, I ran down to the beach and turned south. There was a strong headwind I faced but it did keep me cooled down as I caught and passed one of my competitors at the 1.5 mile turnaround. The run back was hot and got hotter as the wind was at my back the whole way. I glanced back occasionally but never saw anyone catching me. I hit the finish line with a 1:10:48 time for first place. First win of the season!
I did meet a nice couple on a tandem where the stoker was vision-impaired. The captain, Ryan Cobb, told me it was their first triathlon together. They finished looking strong.

Transition on the beach ramp

Sunrise under the Finish arch.

Exiting the water!

Out on the bike!

Heading out on the run

Close to the finish

At the finish line!

First place in 60-64!

Ryan and his wife at the finish

Pleasure at the finish!

Sunday, June 4, 2017

# 148 Clermont Sprint Triathlon in June

Kerry Librada Girona: First Female Overall

I always look forward to the Sprint Series in Clermont. Four triathlons, same course, each 4 weeks apart, with plenty of parking, a lake swim, hilly bike, and flat run. This race was the culmination of the Couch to Tri program of Seminole County Triathletes so we had 15 people doing their first tri. Upon my arrival, I met James Mayer, a longtime competitor, and after seeing Ken Junkins, we learned that Ken's knee issue was prompting his stopping running so he was doing the Aqua-bike today.
I actually got into the water for the warmup and surged at the race start. A bit of congestion slowed me on the swim but the last leg was quick. After taking off on the bike, I really started to pass people and had a great climb up the big hills, hitting 39.1 mph off the big one. After several more miles on the Moulton, I shot into transition and came out running. My running has been very strong lately and my splits were 8:20 for each mile; I passed two 60-64 competitors on the run. I finished 7 out of 12 with a 1:14:22, a great time with the slightly longer bike course. Being cheered by the SCT crew in the tents at the finish line always feels good! We then began cheering all the other SCT newbies as they came in. My friends did well: Enrique Mercado finished second in his age group, Ken Junkins won the AquaBike, and Kerry Librada Girona won Female Overall. Great time!