Last night was the second in the series and, unfortunately, the last one I will be able to do. I had an absolute blast! It was fun! And it was even better knowing that Bill was there at the finish line! I also saw him at several points throughout the race. My McGuire's Running Club buddy, Jen, was there as a volunteer, to see what this was all about. It was great to have her there, too.
We got to the race a little later than I had anticipated. There was a bit of a traffic jam trying to get on the bridge. But I got there in enough time to get checked in and set up in transition. Then we had a quick brief on the swim course and we headed to the water. I went in to get myself warmed up and get my head in the game. Then there was the national anthem and we were off!
I felt really good about the (300 yard) swim. I concentrated on my form the whole time. It was better than thinking about whether I would drown or anything like that. I think that thinking helped me. I tried to take it nice and slow, knowing that that would probably make me faster. Last race everyone jumped out ahead and left me in the dust. I was on my own for 90% of the swim. This time, I was around people the whole time, which was different. I have not yet swam with others in close proximity. I tried not to run into anyone. I aimed to overcome some of them. I felt someone hit my foot. My first thought? "Yeah! I'm not last!" I knew at the end I could stand up and walk in. I felt sand at the bottom of my stroke so I knew I was going to switch to pushing off and gliding in. Just as I made that decision, I heard Coach John yelling it from the sideline. Good to know I was on the same page! I did the swim part in approximately 8:08.
From there it was on the path to transition and time to get ready to bike. I put on my socks and shoes and helmet and pulled my bike off the rack. I got out of transition and onto the bike in approximately 2:30.
I wanted to make up some ground, even though I knew I was not last out of the water. There was a bit of a headwind on the way out, but I managed to push it. Then I did the turnaround (where Jen was cheering me on) and tried to use the tailwind to my advantage. I passed a girl just before getting to Portofino. Then I went on to the second turnaround and back into the headwind. I was still pushing it, but I was afraid to push too hard, as I still had the run ahead. I got off the bike (after 7.5 miles) in 26:07.
Then it was into T2, where I racked my bike, realizing that I had gotten the last spot on the rack initially, which was up into a bush, so I had to kind of jam the bike in there. I took off my shoes, but I found that one of the bike shoes buckles didn't want to come undone easily. I just pulled it off my foot and hopped in the running shoes. I tied them and was out of there in 1:17.
Last part was the run. I took it as best as I could while trying to work out the wobbles. It felt good to run and know I was having a good race. I saw Bill just as I cam out of the resort and smiled as he took a picture. All I had to do was run. So I kept my form at the top of my mind. I didn't want to hunch over or start to stride out. Before I knew it I was seeing the "other" Bill Evans at the turnaround and he was offering me words of encouragement. I ran back and started picking up the pace as I entered Portofino. I made the final turn to the finish line, Coach John called my name out, I could hear the crowd cheering, and I gave it all I had for a strong finish! Run time (for the 1.5 mile run) was 14:04.
Final official results were that I came in 33rd of 40 with a time of 52:06. That is way better than my first one (34/38 and 53:28). I had hoped to take four minutes off my time, but I knew that was rather unrealistic. I just wanted to do better than race #1. I did!
I felt really good about my performance. I don't really see where I could have done any better. I did my best in all the areas. Maybe if there had been less of a headwind, but then there would be less of a tailwind, and so who knows if that would have made a difference.
At the end they raffled off some prizes. I had hoped for some Yankz! quick shoelaces, but it wasn't to be. I assumed that I would buy them at some point in time. Jen's name was called when they gave away some volunteer prizes and she won the Yankz! She gave them to me! How sweet! It was an awesome day and an awesome race. I really had fun!
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