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SORT 09

Spirit of Racine was this past Sunday. It was very exciting for me, because my time improved dramatically. Although it came as a real suprise to me, in reflection, the rides and runs have been long and fast. The swims are the swims, but they are getting done.

This year was cool again, which worked well. Cold air/water is a performance enhancer to most folks, even if they don't like it. The swim was moved in like last year. The current moved to shore and towards the finish, which is ideal as it gets. Someone knocked me down at the start and I was actually ran over by someone. That rattled my cage a bit. Adjusted the goggles and coughed out inhaled water before getting a move on. There was a lot of aqua jogging since most areas you could touch the bottom. The problem being that most of them were moving slower than the swimmers. Hello, keep swimming! After turning the last yellow triangle buey, I started to walk into shore and get the goggles/cap off. Mike was filming on the beach and didn't see me wave. When I was right up to him, I stuck my face right in front of the camera and yelled hello. Finished in 31 minutes. Decent time and it is good enough. I'm not any good with math, but can tell you it isn't worth working on the swim for me for IM. BECAUSE, if I gain 6 minutes and crank a pro time.....I will then have a 4:55 time. Big hairy deal.

Transition went well, and I found myself chatting with two girls there. Two minutes and I was ready to get a move on. Stupid wet suit. If I was getting a new one, it would have zippers at the feet. Oh well. Told my two new aquaintences to "rock the bike" and I headed out. Bike went very well and I averaged 21.9. Didn't see anyone I knew on the route. Obviously I passed Alison somewhere, because she was out of the water with a pro time. The riding sucked as in there were tons of people riding peleton style. I was getting heated about it because I couldn't pass unless I crossed the yellow line because they were essentially blocking traffic. Grr, where were the officials!!! So while there were some stelar bike times, there were some cheaters out there too.

I caught Mike off guard on the way back into transition. He said he had just thought there was no way I would be done yet but there I was. That was cool!

The run was fine. I found myself thinking this is the bk shuffle. Just keep the legs moving! I also kept thinking keep the legs moving and time will take care of itself. That happened for sure. Needed a potty break, which is why I was not under 5 hours on this halfer. Phoey, can't get over the idea of just pissing myself. Oh well.

Couple of thoughts on this one. Next time I do a tri, I'm bringing my own marker. Waiting in line to be marked is stupid. Second, always make sure you bring your own breakfast because McDonald's may be closed.

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