Buster Britton Triathlon

Here's a quick recap and a few photos from the Buster Britton Sprint Triathlon on Saturday. It was a great race, I had a great time, and it felt really awesome representing Team Red White & Blue!

Swim: 400yards open water swim - 6:47 - 6/35 in the Age Group
Just like last year, as soon as I dove in, my goggles rolled down to my nose. I just had to make do. Went away from shore a few strokes before fixing them. Then it was business. Made several passes and since it was a short swim, I went for broke.

Transition 1: Swim to Bike transition - 1:55 

Worked quickly to get from the waters edge, through the transition fencing and to the bike. Once there, put on the helmet, sunglasses and bike shoes. Then it was off. I really need to work on a "flying mount" to save some more time here.

Bike: 13miles - 41:51 - 18.64mph - 16/35 Age Group

It was a simple out and back, except for the hilly Oak Mountain part. Lots of up and downs and very technical descents. I do believe I topped out at 40mph on some of the downhills, and got slowed to under 9mph on some of the climbs. Just a little slower than last years course, but I have a feeling that has a whole lot to do with the massive amount of work I've had that's cut into my play time.

 I made the mistake of dismounting the bike and riding the pedal too early. I wound up coasting down that small hill and taking it too easy. And because of that, the guy in red behind me caught me in transition. Another little thing to work on.

Transition 2 - Bike to run - 2:00

A quick move back through the transition area to rack the bike, throw on the running shoes, drop the helmet and go.

Run: 3mi - 26:11 - 8:43/mi - 22/35 Age Group

Again, it was another out and back course with a slight incline for the first 1.5miles. The good thing was the additional shade from the modified course, but still, uphill is uphill no matter how you look at it. I was doing great maintaining my form and keeping my pace pretty steady, until a yellow jacket decided to sting me at the 2mi mark. I guess it was a good thing that there was only 1mi to go.

Overall Thoughts

Team Magic does a great job putting on this race. It's a sprint triathlon, friendly to beginners, and a litmus test to the high caliber athletes. I haven't had a single complaint in the three years I've raced it and they haven't started now.

I finished #17/35 in my age group and #162/389 overall.

And this race opened several opportunities for me to share the awesomeness that is Team Red White &and Blue. And if you still haven't checked them out, or visited my fundraising page, you definitely should do so!

And if you'd like to see the Garmin files from the race, here they are: Swim, Bike, Run.

Tattoo

Think the tattoo will stay until Monday?

(yes its temporary)

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The transition

Live from Buster Britton Tri at Oak Mtn.

Here's the setup that takes us through all 3 sports.

Today: 400 yard swim, a 13mile bike and a 3.1mile run.

Let's go Team Red White & Blue

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Garage Inhabitant

So this has been living in our garage for a little over a week now...

Oh yea. It's a new 2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS (in silver). We struck a decent deal and ditched the Honda Pilot from our lineup and replaced it with a much more fuel effecient (and newer) vehicle.

So far, so good!

(We'll take better pictures soon. This one was just captured on it's maiden night in the garage)

First hand report on Team Red White & Blue

Just to show you more about Team Red White & Blue and what they do for our veterans.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Enjoy.

Pensacola 5k - Post Race

The race went well. So, how about a recap...

Pre-race routine:
Woke as normal, downed a coffee, a couple crackers, sipped on a gatorade, and took care of business.
Easy Peasy

Event warmup:
None.

Showed up, stood in line forever getting a timing chip, and then waded into the water. Took a couple strokes to fit goggles and cap, but that was it.

Swim:

Started behind a group of Auburn University swimmers. Figured I would attempt to ride their feet as long as possible and see where it gets me. But, I didn't want to go too hard too fast on this race.

When the gun started, either I took of WAY slow, or everyone else was WAY fast. I was getting passed quickly. Started to speed up to stay with everyone, but I didn't. I began backing it down a little, while working to stay with a group of swimmers.

(the little dots in the middle are us...the finish is on the other shore)

At one point, I started counting strokes per bridge span to make sure my pacing was consistent, which it was. I knew that once I got to the hump, I'd be okay and I could start turning on the gas and making my moves. I reached the hump at 51'; 3mins behind my halfway goal time. At this point, I started making course corrections away from the bridge to setup the final turn into the finish line.

I came up on a group of kayakers and paddle boarders shadowing some swimmers and used them for a visual as I made passes. I fell into a upbeat 3stroke/breath pace and let it go. Passed the swimmers and the paddle boarders and started working to pick off other swimmers.

(making the pass)

Here's where I realized that I had been swimming too close to the bridge and had to start making some serious course corrections to avoid having to swim extra around the boat dock. The whole swim I had been sighting left with the occasional right, but here's where I started looking forward to guage a bit more accurate. I spotted the yellow bouy (0.5mi to go) and got on track.

At this point, really started picking it up to pick off the last of the folks I could. I remember making a few passes, especially of a guy doing the backstroke coming in.

(rounded the last bouy. coming home)

I got the course corrected and proceeded in. I noticed it was so shallow that I could've easily stood up and walked it in, but knew that would be much much slower. Plus, I had no need.

I swam until my hands dug sand, then stood to run. Obviously, it's hard to run after swimming that long. Slightly dizzy so did a "drunk run" to the finish.

Felt great.

Final Standings:
Age Group 25-29: 5 out 12. Total time 1:48:53
Overall Rank: 55/228.

What would you do differently?:
Go faster, earlier.

I saw 1:21 on the watch, and knew I had a bit to go, so the pipe dream of 1:30 was out. I still thought I could reach the time of 1:38, but saw it leave as I had 0.5mi to go.

Guess I should've gone harder.

Apparently the swim times were slow by 8-10mins from last year, so something affected it, which is the difference of my estimated time...

Final thoughts:
Great race. Definitely something fun to do. Standing on the shore looking out is one thing. Being in the water and swimming it is something totally different.

Staying busy

This is how we stay busy while waiting at Children's...

(She's getting tubes placed today)

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Sleepy...

After a long weekend at the beach someone passed out on the way home...

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Lets go

Ready to start the 5k

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Pensacola 5k Bridge Swim - Pre Race

On Sunday morning, I'll stand at the edge of the bay in Pensacola, Fl, waiting on the starting gun to sound. And when it does, I'll be among the other crazy 224 people swimming the 3.1mi to Gulf Breeze, Fl. To put it in perspective, the "3 mile bridge" that spans the bay, I'm swimming that distance. I will not have a life jacket. I will not have fins on. I will not be wearing a wetsuit. It will be, myself and my abilities.

On that note, here are a few thoughts and points regarding it...

So far this year, I've covered 90,550yrds (51.5mi) worth of swimming in the pool. Most of it has been single 4000yrd (2.3mi) sessions covered as part of a swim team practice. Some have been steady long non-stop 4000yrd sessions. And of course there are a few of the 2500yrd (1.4mi) sets that are more intense than anything I've done before.

Just in the month of May, I've covered 32,400yds (18.4mi). As we've gotten closer, my volume has steadily been increasing. So has my intensity. I've done stretches where I've covered the distance all together. I've done stretches where I've covered half the distance at a pace much faster than I intend on racing. I really feel like I've covered it all. Now we just wait for the starting line...

Sure, I could've swam more. But I didn't. Even then, based on volume, I think I'm ready.

But, as always, we often question our abilities and processes. That's what I'm doing now that the race is within 48hrs. It's natural. I hope.

Part of my fears? The unknown.

I've never swam in open water for 3.1 miles and don't know what to expect. I don't know if there will be a current, or which way it'll be going. I don't know how the crowd will act. I don't know the weather. But, on the other hand, there's nothing I can do about any of it.  All I can do, is take it, adapt, and keep going.


I guess I do have a few advantages though, that should help me out. This year, I'm down almost 10lbs. I'm faster. I've never done this type of race before, so this is more of a "set the bar" race, and it'll be very hard to be disappointed. I'm actually faster in the water now, than I was this time last year. And I'll have my family following along on the bridge cheering me on. Lastly, I have Team Red White & Blue cheering me on. If you're reading this, and you want to cheer me on, feel free to visit my TRWB page.

So, though I'm nervous, it's time to step up to the plate and have at it.

Oh, and if all goes well, my predicted finish time is 1:38. We shall see...

Not nap time

I don't think this kid is in the napping mood just yet.

And I think she's feeling pretty good for a kid that's staying home sick.

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The life...

It's pretty good being a kid. :)

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Pensacola 5k Bridge Swim

The next upcoming race:

I'll be swimming a 5k (3.1mi) from Pensacola, FL to Gulf Breeze, FL along the pretty popular "3 mile bridge". Maybe I'm crazy, but it should be fun!

As a matter of fact, I'm swimming it for Team Red White & Blue and would appreciate your support. How's about stepping over to my Fundraising Page and showing your support for both me, and Team RWB?

18days....

Another Tornado Update

It appears that NOAA has confirmed 23 tornados ripped through Alabama on 4/27. Scary stuff. It has set a record with the most number in 24 hours, the longest path tornado, and sadly, the second deadliest outbreak in US history.

(click to zoom in)

Absolutely scary stuff...

Alabama Tornados from 4/27

Headlines across the state of Alabama regarding the 4/27 tornados...

April 27, 2011, tornadoes - Alabama newspaper front pages

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