5430 Sprint Triathlon

[emartin10]

Alrighty boys and girls-

It was farking hot. Really hot (100 in my car an hour after I finished ). I cramped. It sucked.

That said, I hauled ass on the swim. I was so worried about my fiance who started 10 minutes before me, that I kind of forgot to worry about myself. About 300m into the swim, I went "Oh, yeah, I'm racing too." I had a good swim, 1/2 mile - 12:38 (Rank 107/1171)

The bike was fast fast fast. I have really old rims and bearings on my bike, so I am anxious to see how my times improve when I get some new ones. I was redlining pretty much the whole bike ride, my HR was hovering around 177 the whole way. I was trying to bring it down, but it wasn't happening. 17 miles - 48:05 (21.4 avg, Rank 258/1171)

I ran my ass off. It was the haulassicitis that flared up, oh, and it was in the mid-90s so I just wanted to finish. I saw my fiance (she was at mile 1, me at mile 2 on the out and back) and she was smiling ear to ear. I think I got her hooked!!! Seeing her so happy made me run even faster. I was trying to shock myself back to it with the aid station water, since I was cramping so bad both in my muscles and my stomach. But I figured that I could either walk and prolong the pain and heat, or run faster and finish the damn race. Plus, all my JPF buddies would have screamed and yelled and probably thrown stuff at me had they seen me stop. So I just kept running. Hard. Really really hard. 3.1 miles (5K) - 21:07 (6:48/mile, Rank 95/1171)

Overall - 1:24:14 (Rank 39/1171 overall)

I had a little bit of a challenge with Drew, to see who would run their respective Sprint faster, and Drew got me, by 31 seconds. Nicely done Drew. I'll pick up 31 seconds next year

[JoshDunn]

Thats awesome work. I guess its on drew.

[FishrCutB8]

Outstanding race, brother! Cycling is tough enough with cramps, I can't imagine what that run was like...gotta love triathlon!

How did your girl do? Come to think of it, when did you find a girl...she must be pretty special to want to hang out with you...

[drew]

I may have got you on the run, but I can't swim a 12:38 half-mile with fins, paddles, a wetsuit, or anything else that makes you go faster!

Nice work.

That's awesome about your fiance. I got my wife a bike for her birthday last week, and she's gonna start training for her first one too!!

[emartin10]

Ellie did amazing. She expected to finish her swim in about 25 minutes, and she finished in 18:20. She was pumped. Her biggest worry (as is a lot of first timers) was finishing in last place. She ended up finishing 385/1171 which is amazing. She was thrilled, and I think I got her hooked. She said, "You know, maybe for birthdays and Christmas, you could get me some tri gear."

E

[FishrCutB8]

This is the end....my friend...the end.

[emartin10]

She's all geeked up on it. It's hilarious.

E

[Kevin Littler]

Originally Posted by emartin10

Her biggest worry (as is a lot of first timers) was finishing in last place.

First timers? Geez, I worry about coming out last in the swim every time I race! (never happened yet - but always pretty close).

Awesome race E. I can only dream of swimming that fast (like Drew, but I would also be doing it down stream with a strong current, and still get my butt kicked). And that run is great coming after a fast swim and ride.

PS Don't buy Ellie anything faster than what you own. With such a great first race, it looks like she might have some potential - how would the ol' ego stack up with you being the second fastest triathlete in the house?

[emartin10]

Thanks Kevin, good to see you back! Thanks for the compliments. I have a strong swimming background, but somehow or another, I can push myself there just a bit harder than elsewhere. I just love triathlon, not too many times can you push and work so hard, feel so sh!tty and tired, and still feel great when it's all over. I'm still riding high a bit, it was such a good weekend.

And yes, no aero bikes for her quite yet

E

[lance02]

Great race! Times are very impressive. Swim is always the most difficult for me, and the farthest I've had to swim is 1/4 mile in a triathlon. It is quite a high you are on after finishing!

[BamaDave]

Great job, Eric - way to haul ass on that 5K after swimming and biking! You need to brag about this in other places - I didn't catch your race report until today. Big congrats to Ellie as well.

[emartin10]

I downloaded a couple pics from race day, here you go:

Night before:


Nutrition :


My transition area:


The Transition Area:


Ellie and I, Post Race:


E

[FishrCutB8]

Smiles? Neat hair? Eyes in focus? Must be a before pic. She's a beautiful girl, Eric--you guys look good together!

[emartin10]

She is beautiful. Thank you! And it is an after, she was so pumped up!

E

[BamaDave]

Good pitchers! You two should get married at a tri finish line.

[jruck37]

I just came across this thread. Awesome race, Eric! It sounds like you had a blast!