Triathlon #199 is in the books! Not sure if you saw earlier this week, that
August 8th commemorated my 30th year anniversary of competing in triathlons.
Today’s race was the third Sommer Sports Sprint Tri of the season and a big
crowd showed up. The race director switched the starting order, so the Sprint
started at 7:05 AM and the Olympic distance at 7:35. With the current heat wave
(82’f at start) that was much appreciated. However, the lake temp was around 82’
also!
I was in the Third Wave and had a good swim, steady and straight the whole
time. I did have the Fourth Wave (fast women) swim over me several times. It
felt good to get out of the warm water too. Bike ride was great, averaging 17.1
mph through the hills and hitting 38.6 on the big downhill. Passed lots of
people on the climbs. Run leg was hot and I carried a frozen bottle, pouring the
cold water over my head numerous times. Heat (90’f at that point) made my final
time a bit off but I crossed the line in Second out of five in Male 70-74.
Friends Andreas Moraitis and his wife Kerry Girona were Second and Fourth
Overall. Others included Enrique Mercado, Bill Black (Second in Clydesdale
class), Tom Hedman, and Lester Rilea. Made a new friend too, Justin Grofik, a
Navy pilot from Tampa. Also, another friend, Hammer-sponsored pro triathlete
Gabrielle Suver, won Female Overall in the Olympic distance race. Now to get out
of the heat!
 |
| Bike racked early |
 |
| Enrique, Kerry, and Andreas |
 |
| with Bill Black |
 |
| with Gabby warming up |
 |
| Gabby on the podium |
