# 189 Great Clermont Sprint Triathlon

 This weekend was the season opener for Sommer Sports with the Great Clermont Tri (olympic distance)  on Saturday and the Florida Challenge (half-iron) on Sunday plus a sprint tri on each day.  With my plantar fasciitis acting up, I opted for the Saturday Sprint Tri.  Winter/March races in Florida can be a bit chancy on weather, but it's been so hot, the water temp was 74'f on race morning.  Air temp was 59' though and the wind was picking up at dawn.

The olympic distance started first and the lake was quite choppy by the time we started. I found myself struggling against the chop and my final time was a minute slower that the previous time.  Jumping on the Moulton, I headed out onto the first hill, watching two people in the wrong gear fight to climb it with one toppling over.  Passing them quickly, I hit the second hill and made the turn to head through town.  Going around the lake was tough, with a strong headwind most of the way.  Passed a bunch of people even with the wind, averaging 16.5 mph.

I reached transition and took off on the run.  My foot felt fine and I gradually increased my pace, feeling faster with each step.  The cool breeze helped too.  My mile splits were 9:27.  I crossed the line with a 1:13:42 resulting in a Third out of six in 70-74.  Very happy with the results.

Moon over Moulton

Mike Moulton from Cocoa Beach

with Bill Black

Rob Marens grabbed this one

On the Podium!

# 188 Spacecoast Triathlon in Cocoa

 I was a bit wary competing in today’s Space Coast Triathlon after yesterday’s 10k trail run. But everything came together beautifully with nice weather, warm water (74’f), and a fast course.

I led the bike leg for a bit but John Wilson passed me at mile one and I caught him at twelve miles. However, he was faster on the run and my legs were crying so I told them, “Shut up, legs!” Stayed strong and finished second out of six in 70-74; first Tri in new age group. Scott Sherman tried to run me down at the finish but I beat him by 8/10 of a second.

Very happy with my results! The finisher medal and awards depicted the Tesla Starman.

Transition sunrise

Swim course

Out on the bike

Almost finished

Beating Scott

# 187 Cherrylake Farm Duathlon in Clermont

Great race today in Clermont for my 187th triathlon (duathlon, well, it was multisport). My first race in the 70-74 age group!

I'd never raced there so it was a complete unknown. 5K run followed by 20k bike, and then a 1.5k run. The run course was hilly and sandy through the tree nursery, the bike course was very hilly and very windy and it was 50'F at the start; it was wonderful. I met several friends there and really enjoyed myself. The 2022 race had three guys in 70-74 but I was alone today. First Place finish in 70-74 with a time that would have been 3rd in 60-64 so I was proud. Felt strong throughout the event.

Spot the Moulton

Natt Reifler

Diane and Jeremy from Fitness Partners

Start

I'm way on the right

First Place

# 186 Riverfront International Triathlon in Cocoa

Sorry if my race report is a bit long but let me start off by complimenting Chef Sandy Finucan on the fabulous ham-mushroom-bacon deep-dish quiche she prepared Saturday afternoon before the race. This delightful dish gave me to the power to finish strong.

I awoke Sunday morning at 2:30 AM (fall time-change) for the drive to Cocoa, Florida, for the Riverfront International Distance Tri on the Indian River. My 186th triathlon and probably my last tri of the season and the 65-69 Age Group. Arriving plenty early as you never know what can delay you (and I-4 was closed for an accident, and I detoured) I got the bike staged and prepared for my longest race in 2022.

The .5-mile swim start was staggered with 2 swimmers jumping off the pier at 4 second intervals. Immediately I felt the much-discussed thimble jellyfish sliding over my body. They don’t sting but felt like Jell-O blobs passing over you. I had a strong swim, almost 2 minutes faster than 2021 at 18:36, for first.

Heading out on the 20-mile hilly bike course (shortened 4 miles due to construction), I watched the scattered showers approaching off the Atlantic Ocean. Sure enough, rain started about mile 4 for 5-10 minutes. Nearing the turnaround for the first loop, it began again and then again around mile 16. The sun shone brightly between the showers and there was a 10-mph headwind on both return loops. I passed #42, who beat me out of transition at mile 3 but he passed me at mile 12 as I slowed to refill my aero bottle. I retook first place at mile 14 and rolled into T2 about 68 seconds ahead.

Starting the 6.2-mile run in 84’f sun, I felt very strong and was 84 seconds ahead of #42 at the first turnaround. I lost him at the second turnaround as he removed his bright yellow top and moved his number to the side. At the last turnaround, my lead had shrunk to 48 seconds, so I stepped up my pace. Suddenly, at mile 5, my right hamstring cramped badly, stopping me instantly. I stretched it out repeatedly and tried running, but it cramped again. Stretching again in the middle of the street, I saw #42 pass me and I thought that my win had gone. He was about 100 yards ahead when I realized I could run again and began the chase. I ran slowly, gradually building speed as I saw I was closing. With about ¼ mile to go, I realized he had slowed, and I surged past him. I didn’t want to look back to see if he was chasing until the last turn and I saw him about 2 blocks behind. I pushed hard to the finish and won in 2:33:56, 42 seconds ahead of #42. Very happy with this win, as it was tough.

Dawn over Cocoa

Swim Course

Moulton SST racked!

Happy finisher!

with Matt & Karen Mahoney

Super delicious quiche

# 185 The Great Floridian Triathlon in Clermont

 Completed my 185th triathlon today at the Great Floridian Multisport Festival in Clermont, Florida. 

 Full iron-distance athletes went off in the dawn at 7:30 AM, followed by the half group at 8:15. My Sprint started at 9:15, air temp 55’f, water temp 68’ with a 10-mph breeze across the lake. I brought my wetsuit but decided to skip as the temp was borderline for me. 

 It was cold but the chop was the difficult part. Lost a minute in transition putting lube on a heel blister and my bicycle leg was one mph slower than last year due to the wind and several holdups behind groups of cars. I had a great 5K run though, with 9:04 splits and took 1:30 off my last year’s finish with a 1:11:24. Achieved a podium spot with a 3rd out of 7 in 65-69. 

 Friends Rob Marens, Kenyon Congdon, Bill Black and Enrique Mercado were there, and I ran into Jeff Cuddeback making a brief stop on a training ride. Also met a women named Naomi Youei in Hammer gear; she was doing the run leg for Nicholas Castellano as a Hammer Nutrition team. Got there early so the Hammermobile was in the first spot. Passed out a lot of samples to people. Great day in Clermont!

Moon over Clermont

Bill Black, winner in Clydesdale class

Swim finish

Stunning day!

Kenyon, Enrique and friend

Naomi from north of England

Jeff Cuddeback

                                               

Moulton and me