[NoMoBeer]

I am going to post my Las Vegas Race Report. We write these up on the triathlon web board I am on...

Hope you enjoy reading it. I didn't add that I did pray during my swim, as I hadn't done my 3rd and 7th step prayers that morning!!!!

Here you go:

Las Vegas Sprint Triathlon Race Report
September 25, 2005
765 yd. Swim
10.5 mi. Bike
5K Run

Drove up to Boulder City, NV Saturday – about a 4 hour drive. It was very cool driving over the Hoover Dam! My hotel was about 3 miles past the dam. Arrived around 2PM, did packet pick up, race meeting, etc. Pretty uneventful. Had dinner with my coaches at Applebees – chicken and pasta… some dry sourdough bread. Went to bed around 9PM.

5:00 AM – mixed up my pre-race meal: 1 Packet Protein Vanilla MRP, 2 small cans pineapple juice, 1 banana, a little H2O. Thank God for my portable hand blender! Took my multivitamin, antioxidant, Endurox capsules. Sipped water as well. Mixed up my Cytomax for the bike, packed everything up and took off for the race site – only about 3 miles away.

5:45 AM – arrived at race site early – this is a public park, and we were told they start collecting $5 at 6 AM. I figured I had it beat – then to my dismay a crinkly old guy had his paw out for $5! I said – “thought you started collecting at 6?” He replied that they had been called in early…. Hmmmmmmmm……

Set up my transition area, found my coaches and chatted with them. Ran into an ATC who used to work on me, caught a glimpse of KRASH, but he was out of earshot and on his way to the ½ IM swim. My wave was to go off at 7:35.

6:45 AM – started to defizz my Red Bull…. Drank that down, then about 20 minutes later had my GU Espresso Love with water…. OK, I’m buzzing and ready to rock!

7:30 – watched the gals and over 50 guys go off – there goes Coach Jane. Chatted with Coach George on the shore and made our way into the lake. Suddenly, the kayak and inflatable come zipping into shore shouting! I see them pull a guy out of the inflatable and begin CPR on him. Very saddening, very eerie – did not want to swim after that. Found out after the race that he did indeed die. Thoughts and prayers to his family….

8:00 – Eddie (RD) finally got back on the horn. No talking – “take your marks, GO!” Geez! Wasn’t ready for that, but started my swim. Beautiful clear lake, a few tussles here and there, but no major injuries. I actually got off course a couple of times because my mind just wanders. I came out of the water and looked at my watch – Fifteen minutes???? WTF? I know I swim MUCH faster than that. I don’t think I was pushing hard enough. Here’s where this race gets stupid. There is a paved driveway from the beach UP to transition area – it’s rough and full of rocks. I had parked my Nike sandals right at the bottom, so when I came out of the water I slipped them on. I was trying to run to T1, but I was clenching my toes and my calves were cramping! Whatever….that sucked.

T1 – VERY quick transition for me. I still sit down when I transition, so I had a nice curb in my spot! No socks for me today – shoes on, jersey on, glasses, helmet, GO! Left T1 pretty quickly for a nice ½ mile climb out onto the road – freaking OUCH! Pretty hilly bike, uneventful – lots of pain, lots of labored breathing. Bike time – 36:37.

T2 – 1:47, I was in and out! No socks again. Oh yes, and once again some numbnuts racked his bike right over my towel…. Got out on the run course, and I’m thinking – George and Jane are probably finished and having a martini…. No sooner do I get to the top of the first little hill and who do I see? You guessed it – my coaches! Jane shouted that I looked good – then they started running behind me saying “you’re not walking today….” OK, so I’m panting like a teenager in the back seat, and these two are behind me chatting!!!! BUT – that was so helpful, Jane would say “steady Eddy, Ken…” and George would remind me “quick feet, quick feet” -- great thoughts for me. Got water at the half point turnaround. I think I negative split the back half, I felt great!

So I see this guy come up next to me. I glanced over – he looks a little older than me, but I can’t see his calf….. he dropped back and I heard his wife (who I just passed) “oh good, we can finish together…” No worries, finish line in sight…. Out of nowhere, same devoted husband comes sprinting by me. I looked down at his calf – 44! S H I T! I tried to sprint, but legs didn’t respond – he beat my by 3 seconds!!! Total run – 34:03.

My total race was 1 hour 32 mins., which got me 8/15 in my Age Group (M40-44), 94/223 Overall….

I had a blast! I’m still tired, and have mucho blisters on my feet (see “no socks” reference) – AND, I’m racing again this Sunday!

Next up: Lake Pleasant sprint; Peoria, AZ.