B2B race report/recount

B2B Race report - highs and lows

Got to T1 and on the trolley in the dark at 6:30 or 6:45.  I said goodbye to my brother Andy. Just in time. As we traveled I put on my silicone Speedo swim cap and a chunk of it tore off. Oh no. It was a piece that would cover my ear. I thought about it and decided i could stuff it under the 2nd cap and it would do well enough. 

I realized I forgot my prerace 100 calorie drink. Not good.

There were people everywhere on the small street. At about 6:55 I figured out where we were to go and with plastic bags on feet I start walk. Took 5 minutes. Open ocean and a stiff breeze in low light. I tried to urinate in my suit and was marginally successful. 

The officials talked and played nat anthem said prayer. We waited for the ok from the coast guard Then at 7:21 am the horn to start sounded. We were off!  600 people all at once. I ran with others and finally fell in and started stroking. I kept getting bumped as expected. But even after 10 or 15 minutes I kept getting lots of hands hitting my feet. It really brings me to a halt when it happens. This was my 4th open water swim so I knew to expect some but still not used to it. Wish I had a overhead view to show an open spot or something. 

The chop was maybe 4 inches from the north wind. I didn't swallow too much water luckily but man was it salty. 

I got a bad cramp in my calf and had to stop. This was very bad to have just at the first half hour. Later the other side calf cramped. What is going on?? I just tried to kick with the calf muscle very relaxed. It was kept at bay til the swim end and not an issue on the bike. 

The buoys were hard to see but I just followed the crowd and when the buoys did come they seemed to fly by.  I almost ran into a few. We were flying!  After 45 minutes or so As we got near the boat docks I could taste gasoline or petroleum. 

I slowly climbed the ladder and was out. I had done the swim in an amazing time of about 55 minutes. But I was the 330th man out of the water. I ran past the wetsuit strippers because I didn't know how that would be or if I wanted it all off as I only had on skimpy swimsuit underneath. Into the warm shower tent  Not sure that was really necessary either but I stood there 20 seconds anyway. 

I ran gingerly on the asphalt the got on the sidewalk for a smoother surface. A big plant with spikes hung out and scrapped me- ouch. Across the road and got my bag handed to me. I ran to the mens tent. There were guys everywhere some naked it took a bit to find a open spot and get to it. I was going to change completely into a bike outfit. The front opening if the tent I realized was wide open for the public to see. 

I put on jersey, shorts, knee warmers, arm warmers, vest, a skull cap under my helmet. Got the wetsuit in the bag and put my goggles into it protective case. Lots of extra time compared to a lot of athletes. They can switch so fast. I guess I took 10 to 15 minutes at T1. I ran to my bike and headed the wrong way until someone yelled at me getting me right. 

I regret not taking the rain jacket with me for my ride. I looked right at it and thought it was going to warm up and be dry. It would have been so good. Also gloves!  Bad planning. My bike computer later shows the temp got to 46 degrees on the ride.  

I averaged 20 mph after the first 30 to 50 minutes even with all the turns and traffic (other bikers). I was passing a lot. 

After we got onto an interstate it was cold and boring. I kept slowly passing one rider after another. I watched my heart rate. We rode over a big bridge and the wind was gusting. 

The ride north after the interstate way getting even colder and misting type rain. Oh no. I stop at rest stop and text Andy my status.  Time for nature break [NB] It was cold I need a rain jacket and gloves!!!

I stopped at the 50 mile (nearing halfway point) for NB. I was shivering. Hypothermia was setting in. My extreme shivering  thankfully went away as the day heated up.Got my special need bag. It had a 350 calorie drink. I needed one at T1.   My speed had dropped to 18 mph average. 


At the halfway point of bike I was shaking uncontrollably. I was texting Andy but it took a long time. when I hit send it told me there was no cell reception so it was wasted effort. Lost time. I took the special needs bag and put it between my vest and jersey to block the wind. I found two empty sandwich bags in the garbage and they would be my gloves. I had been using an empty powerbar bites bad to cover three fingers on one hand!

Got some gels and a bottle of Heed (Gatorade type stuff). I poured it into my water bottle. 

I was off after 10 minutes or so. An eternity for what should have been a quick stop.  

Back on the road and after 30 to 50 minutes it seemed to be warming up. Time for a NB. 

We got to the reststops at mile 73 and I texted Andy successfully this time. Got some gels I think.  Just 3 or so minutes here. We soon got to where we were headed south/SE and the wind was now at my back. I was now able to make up time and go faster. 

A car pulled up beside me and the driver asked how I was doing. I said ok and wondered why he was asking me. After he offered me his gloves I slowly realized it was Andy!  I felt stupid. He went ahead and pulled over. I stopped and got the gloves on. We chatted a little. He took a picture. I was back at it in about 2 minutes. It was getting warmer. 

He went way ahead out of sight and I would all the sudden see him taking pictures as I went by. I was able to go about 25 mph by now. Time for a NB again! 

The sun started to come out and the wind was still strong if not stronger. I hit 100 miles and my bike computer which only had 96 miles had 5 hours 12 minutes. So I'm not sure but it was a quick century. I skipped the stop at mile 101. I got up into the upper 20 mph area often as I went feeling better all the time getting warm but sore in the shoulders. Ready to get off the bike. 

At one point as Andy came up on me I looked over at him and just at that moment I hit a huge rock. I was so mad. I pulled over and inspected my tire and rim. It seemed ok but I was worried about a flat. Andy did a u-turn up ahead and came back to see if I was ok. I said it looked ok and got back on the bike. I stopped yet a third time when I saw him pulled over and we talked a bit. As I got. Going again I heard a biker say as he passed me "this guy has time enough to stop and talk to his buddy" in a kind of upset voice. I passed him. I passed a few people about 4 times as I yo-yoed down the road. Ha. I kept passing bikers the whole way. 

Right before getting to T2 I was hitting almost 32 mph for 30 seconds with strong tailwind. I was elated. Headed by a traffic jam, up over the bridge and into the battleship area for T2. It was sunny!

I handed my bike off to some guy and ran to get my T2 bag and into the tent. No energy to change out of my bike kit.  Good decision. I did take off the vest.  I put on a second pair of socks over my thin bike socks. Running shoes lacedup and triple tied. Change sunglasses, cap, some chitchat with others as I changed. I was off slowly. I stopped at the first table and got salt tablets (Enduralytes by Hammer) i was paranoid about cramps. People cheered me on. I was real slow on purpose at first and the bridge was steep. A 10 minute mile then a 9 minute mile going into downtown. 27 minutes at mile 3. I got 2 salt tablets. And a gel. Down to the turn around at 6.55 miles at 58 minutes or so. Doing good. I stopped and got more tablets gel and drink a small bit.

It was still windy and it was near 4pm so I thought I would need more clothes when I got back to transition. 

As I ran back thru downtown I looked over and luckily saw Andy walking, looking for me. We talked a few minutes and I was off again. Headed back to the big bridge I had to do a sitdown NB which took almost 5 minutes not sure. Got some chicken broth and a gel then Back on the road over the bridge and into transition or 13.1 miles. I had to get someone to open a fence so I could get to my T2 bag which I should not have needed to do. There was a special needs bag which was ready for me. Oh well. I got on my "Mercier" jersey for an added layer. Back at it. Took 5 minutes maybe for this. Stop and get pretzel rods (yum!) pulls and gel quick. Some water too. 

As I ran toward downtown I passed a guy dressed up as the devil. Red face and full costume and pitchfork too. Wow. Was I seeing things?  He smiled at me. 

I ran into downtown and Andy saw me and we talked again. He took a video of me. I stretched. 

As I ran to the turnaround point I did the math in my head and if I did a strong last 6.5 mile leg I might get done in less than 12 hours. I was able to go from my 140 BPM pulse to up near 150 BPM for a good while.  Dusk set in. Tired but knew I could do it and finish. No cramps yet. I was hitting it hard. I heard Andy as I went back thru past him- we talked but I did not stop.  He ran with me a bit. I had to push on.

It was getting dark now. I kept looking at my watch with the time of day. At 4 or 5 miles to go it was my last stop at an aid station. When I was about 2 miles away I was feeling confident. I slowed a bit at the 1 mile to go and followed some lady. We chatted a bit. She was steady and I just followed.  Coming down the hill I passed her but later she came back. We ran into the battleship area and the run went all around the grounds and I was nervous I had misjudged. I heard the finish line announcer say "if you can hear my voice hurry up and get here before 12 hours comes". It was only another minute and I crossed the line. 3 minutes or more to spare. 

They took my timing chip and put my medal on me.  I must have looked bad because they kept asking if I needed help. I got my finishers shirt and they put a foil blanket on me. I quickly got cold. I was escorted to the warming tent and sat down. I was exhausted. I was overwhelmed. I started to cry. I held it in pretty good though. It was a crowded tent. After a few minutes I went and got some hot chocolate. Let the eating (pigging out) begin. Another cup please. 

Pizza, huge bagel PB and J. 2 cans of mountain dew. I joined Andy in line for the ferry ride to downtown. We got across and walked to the car. To the hotel and a hot shower. So good. Hard to go up steps. Sore. 

We went out to Carrabas Italian just down the street and pigged out (elegantly). A quick stop a walmart (yes Andy in a walmart!) and back to the room.  The bed was calling me. At about 12:30 am I think I drifted off to a deep sleep.