Update to 231

So of course right after posting the race details, they posted the race results online.  Here's a screen shot from my Age Group with all my times and ranks for each event and each transition.  I'm going to have to pick up my transitions and work the bike/run BRICKS a bit more, but I'm okay with this as my starting point at least.  Oh, AND I actually did get my body from Start to Finish in 59:23, it was the 2 minute penalty that pushed me over an hour so I'm counting that goal as accomplished.

231 left and the first Tri is done

Today was the Azalea Sprint Triathlon, so I apologize for the delay in posts but it was a busy week leading up to today.  I've started a leadership academy which PT's us pretty regularly so getting in some extra Tri training has been tough this week, but it all worked out.  My goal for today was to finish in under 1 hour, I missed that goal by 1:29 (maybe more pending a 2 minute penalty) but I'm waiting to find out if that score is including my 2 minute penalty or not.  The penalty was for forgetting my bib during the run portion in the transition area, dumb mistake, but I'm glad that was the only bad part of the day!  I'm waiting to find out my splits for how long each event and transition took, but I can tell you how today went.  We showed up at 0700 this morning and it was a cool 35 degrees, but was supposed to get up to the 40's before I was going to start.  Because it was a 300 yard pool swim, each swimmer starts in 15 second intervals and you snake your way through the pool, because of this even though the event started at 0800, I didn't start racing until 0923.  I got through the swim without any issues and actually overtook 2 swimmers in front of me.  Getting out of the pool I was a bit dizzy but made it down a couple flights of stairs and outside where Sean from The Bicycle Gallery threw me a towel (THANKS FOR THAT) so I could dry off as I ran to the transition area.  I got to my spot marked #291 and decided it was warm enough that I wouldn't need the jacket or gloves I brought, so I only grabbed my sunglasses, helmet, and socks+cycling shoes.  I made it out fairly quick I think, but I was still pretty dizzy and had to use the railing to stabilize myself getting my gear on.  The bike was actually really quick for me, I was still looking for the 5 mile halfway point when I realized I was on the home stretch and would be dismounting in under a minute.  I overtook a few people on the bike and got passed twice, I was hoping for 20mph average which I don't think I reached (still waiting on my splits to find out for sure) but the winds were about 15mph so that really slowed me down I think.  I really think I could have pushed a bit harder on the bike, but I'm sure my run would have suffered, I'll need to set up my Garmin for distance next time so I can pace it more accurately.  After the bike, I kept the same socks and just threw some running shoes on and headed out as fast as I could (hence forgetting the bib belt, which was tucked under the jacket I didn't use) and got to see my family as I left transition to start the 5k.  I passed more people on the run (my strength) than on the bike and no one overtook me on this event.  My pace was about 07:15 per mile (I think) so I should have finished under 22 minutes.  Crossing the finish line they actually called out "Coming down the shoot from Jacksonville, NC... Eric Lowney!"  Which I thought was pretty awesome, I didn't know they'd be calling names at the finish.  Afterwards, I grabbed two slices of pepperoni pizza (a rare treat) and some water and then collapsed on the couch when we finally made it back home, beat.  All in all, it was a great day and I can't wait for the half ironman in April.  I'll put up another blog as soon as I get the results with times.  As always, thanks for checking in and supporting me in fundraising for The Kevin Reinhard Scholarship Foundation!