I am the 2021 National Champion!

Day Before

I was concerned going into the race as my back and ankles/calves had been an issue in the long course championships in NY the previous month. We got up to Clermont the day before and got in a swim/bike at the venue. The swim was not great but that is normal. It is rare to feel good the day before without a lot of swimming. The bike washed quiet and felt good. I was glad I checked it as the seat was a bit low.

Pre-Race

96 People registered which seemed a bit low. Of those close to 80 started out. I had not slept that well, normally I do, but I was not concerned. The day before the race can be a challenge. The weather forecast had been getting hotter and now was low 90s with clouds. The temp early morning was great. The water was not wetsuit-legal, which was good for me. For me to have a chance I needed the day to be long and a non-wetsuit swim really beats up most of the runners/cyclists. I got in some short warmup jogging and get the swim skin on and took some good strokes.

Swim (1:08:58) I got a bit towards the front of the mass-start race. I figured I’d be in the top 5-8 swimmers. They said the open water swimmers would be starting with us (but they did not, they started 15 minutes later). I started off a bit quick to see who was around and if there were any feet to follow and realized I was ahead of everyone. I calmed down and just settled into a quick pace and waited to see who came along and no-one did. I did have someone hitting my feet a bunch but that is fine. I cut the buoys close and they had to sprint to catch up.

It was a three loop course and you had to get out for each lap. I swim until it is stupid shallow and that is faster than trying to run. First lap I was in first with 2 guys right on me. I got a sip of gatorade (what a treat during the swim) and entered the water second (tightened the ankle strap). I followed second for about 200 yards but the chop was picking up and they were slowing down too much. I led the rest of the second and third laps as the chop intensified. Came out of the water first by a few seconds. Felt good the whole way. I know it is a slow time but no-one was faster :)

Bike (5:31:55) This race is really all about the bike. It’s Florida, pancake flat right? Oh no, no, no, no. It had 7,000 feet of climbing and it just got hotter and hotter out there. The first lap I had a police escort and that was fun. The temps were in the 80s and it was quite hilly. There is almost no flat to be had, you are always climbing or descending. There are a few turns at the bottom of hills where you need to brake into the bottom which stinks. I had no idea what was happening behind me but I knew I needed to keep very steady pressure and try to hold off the uber-cyclists as long as I could. Most of the police managing the intersections were good but some were just watching their phones in the cars. By the end of the bike the sun was pretty powerful and the heat was making it harder to keep on the nutrition. The last hills (Sugarloaf Mountain) were quite tough and the gearing I brought was a bit aggressive for such a hilly course. The back was not really that stiff and the ankles had not hurt on the ride. I think the heat made it easier.

Run (3:48:03) The run course is pretty flat with just one short steep climb which is a nice little break. I had no idea what sort of lead I had on anyone and just needed to run. It was really hot and I was able to put some sunscreen on… but not enough. I learned from Coeur d’Alene that a hat with ice in it and cooling sleeves are great. I used them here and it was great. I watched from the first turnaround and had about 18 minutes total lead (turns out they had already gained 3 minutes). The runners were moving really well though and by the time I got to the next turnaround they had gained 10 minutes (a bit more than 1’ per mile). At this pace I’d be able to hold them off to about 14-15 miles which is way too early. I was pushing hard and just hoped that if I always looked good then they would push too hard and crack. Next turnaround they were 6 minutes back and would pass me before the second to last turnaround. I was holding very steady speed and perhaps picking it up a tiny amount. I had 4 minutes at the turnaround with about 8 miles left and finally the nearest runner was looking hurt. The previous 3rd place runner was now running slower than me. Fourth place was running well but too far back to make a difference. This was hard running, no talking, took lots of effort to smile. I was getting reports from the cyclist saying “I can’t see him yet, not yet, hmmm, oh there they are”. So I knew they were close but I just had to hold. I got to the far turnaround with 1.8 miles left and looked at my watch. I know I can kick some at the end so I just needed a reasonable lead to keep a small lead into the last half mile. But a minute went by (so 2 minutes back) and they were not there, at 90 seconds (3 minutes) I saw them and then passed them at 1:45 (3:30 lead) and I was running better. I kept my routine going with grabbing ice etc. and knew I just needed to not screw up. I kept the pressure on and felt amazing when I hit the carpet.

Finish (10:33:58) You don’t get to choose my competition. You never know who is going to show up and what is going to happen on the day. But I never thought that I’d be National Champion at anything. I am the oldest Triathlon National Champion at any distance.

What a way to end a season.

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