more Wrightsville Beach sprint triathlon details

If my teaser of an ending on my last blog post didn't hook you in, then you're just not a good reader.

We enjoy the Wrightsville Beach sprint aka the Wilmington YMCA sprint because it's at the beach and is short, all things considered.  The swim is 1500 meters but with an incoming current so more like a 1200-1300 swim.  The bike is under 12 miles and the run is usually a bit short of a 5k although this year is was a bit over a 5k.

The past 3 races we have rented a house with a few of our friends and athletes and had a great time hanging out, racing, then hanging out some more.  Over the years I've been 5th, 7th, 32nd or so (bad year of training) and DNF'ed last year with a busted up foot -I did the swim-bike but had to walk through transition to get to my bike, then was not able to run.

My Mom came up to hang out with Junior Awesome for the weekend and give us a couple days to ourselves, which is a real treat.

Here is the beach we stayed at:

It is very nice.

Bri and our friend Alysia signed up for the beach cruiser division.  Here they are practicing.

Later that evening I danced with myself in the pale moonlight.

The race: My training has been going pretty well as I'm getting into 'better' shape for the Beach 2 Battleship Half Iron on October 26.  Riding 2-3 x a week with a long 65+ miler in there.  I usually do1 harder swim then 2 easy shorter swims.   Running is up and down as far as intervals go but I've been consistent with a 10+ miler each week and in the 20-25 mile / week range.

In the days before the Saturday morning race I ran 11 miles on Thursday and rode 75 miles on Friday; this is just how the week worked out for me and historically makes little difference in how I feel on race day.

Race day:
Swim: 3rd out of the water and felt pretty good for how much I actually swim hard.

T1: pretty good but it is a long run and I'm not a sprinter.

Bike: Felt strong, wound up getting caught or passed by 5 other riders as the race progressed and it turned into a legal type 'group' ride. 24-25mph type pace.  Since it was raining we had to dismount at the bridge and run across and 2 more guys caught up to me here.

T2: Super duper fast.

Run: Hung with the fast guys for about 5 minutes then realized I could slow down or blow up. 20:06 which is a 2013 triathlon-season best PR.

Finished in 10th overall and 4th in the open masters category.  It is great to see my fellow older guys still kicking some butt on race day.

Here is how Junior Awesome felt on hearing my splits and results.

Adieu.

Wilmington YMCA sprint and word explosion with Junior

It has been a while since I have blogged anything in earnest.  This time of year is very tight on free time with high school cross country season as well as a lot of end of season racing for my adult kids.  I am also in the process of sculpting myself into a pretty fit triathlete for a handful of weeks in prep for Beach 2 Battleship half-Iron on October 26.  Anyway, most of what I do is fun but the time adds up sometimes.

First things first: I meant to make this post a month ago.  Junior is at that stage of toddler-dom where the words are about to explode.  He is 21.5 months old as of today.  Here is a fairly comprehensive list of the words we have heard him say.

Momma
Dadda
Tassie
Gigi (grandma)
Nana (grandma)
hi
dog
ball
meow
rarrr (lion)
woof (dog)
elmo
agua
mas
no mas
ayuda
book
poo (Winnie the)
owe (owl of Winnie the)
boo-boo
poo-poo
pee-pee
nana (banana)
appa (apple)
mil (milk)
mout (mouth)
eye
noss
eeh (ear)
teef (as in my teef needs to be cleaned)
hea (head)
too-too or tat-too or thak-too (thank you)
choo choo
tren/train
bye-bye
bike
modobi (motorbike)
bus!
car!
carro
baby
bebe
cheese (food or pictures)

a few others not springing to mind right now.

new as of this week or so
pizza
running
light
cheers (we clink glasses at dinner)

In the triathlon world, things have been going well.  I did the FS Series aquabike on Sep 15 and felt good with a 21 swim and 2:30 bike on a tough course.  The swim was a little short.

I have been getting out 2x a week during the week for longer sessions on the bike in order to reserve the weekends primarily for family fun times.  Up to 75 miles on the long ride and planning to do a 125 or so next weekend with some buds by riding to the beach from here.

This past weekend we met up with our crew in Wrightsville Beach for the Wilmington YMCA sprint.  I like this race and enjoy hanging on the beach for a couple of days.  I raced well and was 10th overall.  I would post pics but this stupid website won't let me copy the sample pictures of how awesome and fit I look at the moment.  I would also write more details about the race but am already tired of typing. 

So in the words of Junior Awesome, "bye bye!"
 

bathtime with Junior

Junior: Whee la la la la whale ball agua agua haahahhahah
Mom: Yes that's right it's agua, don't drink the bath agua it's not for drinking
Junior: -takes cup and fills it, drinks agua- hahahah
Mom: Yucky water!
Junior: fini shunu neeno toombo? Bawena agua tawnee denonah
Mom: Uh-huh.
Junior: -takes a crap- - acts surprised- AAh! Aaah nononono bawanee nona toonee nasoo!?! Translation: who crapped in my tub and OMG get me out of here!
Mom: OK buddy, bathtime's over!

Fini.