Langley Pond - take 3

Langley Pond This was my third year at this event. The most times I have done the same triathlon. So I was familiar with the course. Last year I got 3rd place in my age group.  I was doing the longer International distance ( .92 mile swim, 24 mile bike and 6.2 mile run). There were about 111 people in this with about 80 men.  The swim was crowded and i got batted at a lot. It is hard for me to keep going when this happens. I try to stop and look for an open area.  Also my sighting is bad. I didn't wear my contacts which would have helped. My swim workouts were weak leading up.  I placed my Zoot shoes soon after the swim exit which allowed me to run in the gravel past a lot of others. Into T1 I skipped the socks. Took me a few seconds to rip off the shoes. Pretty good T1.  On the bike I was slow to get going. Found it hard to get into my shoes while I biked. Also I tried to strap on my Polar watch which I can't wear in the lake anymore because it leaks. But I got going and passed riders as we went up the "big" hill of 2-3 miles. I passed many riders but many if them were Sprint distance racers.  near the last 3 miles of the ride I came up on one then another rider in my age group. Their age was written on the right calf. I tried to pass them but we took turns. I decided to dig deep and try to put them behind me and raise my heart rate at the risk of blowing up. Was up to 160 bpm I think. And I did put them out of sight. Hope my run would be good enough.  Decided to not wear socks ( to save time ) even though my Zoots rub my ankle raw.  I hoped for only minor blisters. Had a good T2 time and was on the run.  First mile in 7:25 or so was fast for me. Guy ahead was my carrot and I hung onto him. About 7:50 for mile 2. Great.   Oh yea I was real worried my right hip would be in pain like at Lake Logan but it was never a problem on the run.  So I passed my carrot guy at mile 3 or so. I grabbed water at each station and poured it on my head. Maybe a tiny sip.  My stomach was sloshing from too much prerace liquid.  At mile 5 there was an uphill grade and I let my heart start to go from the 155 area up to 160. Ran into transition and start area but had to run thru another half mile or so. Let the heart go to 165 or 170.   With a time of 2:33:38 I  came in 24th overall and 3rd in my age group. I might have gotten 2nd if not for a bad swim time. But Joe Hammond I could not have beaten. 2:22:40 was his time. He is such a fast runner and a better swimmer.  I have become an acquainted with Joe, a FaceBook friend with him and will keep racing him and striving to come closer. I enjoy racing someone I know and like.  Guy in second place lists himself from Hong Kong! 2:31:43 was his time. So if I could have been 2 minutes faster I would have beat him.  The 4th place was only 59 seconds behind me. Good thing that I didn't put on socks.