I did this event again for the fifth time, joined by Ethan Katz.  Ron was on the shelf with back issues and was relegated to the role of photographer and supportive pal.

 

The day dawned cool with a bit of occasional drizzle--a relief after the scorching weather we have had lately.  We went off in 3 waves with me, of course in the last wave with the rest of the older guys.  Water temp was a lovely 78 and the swim was uneventful.  Also passed a few white caps from the prior heat which was encouraging.  Out on the bike course, I checked my average speed at half way and was amazed to see 18.2, which is half a mile an hour faster than I have ever done on that course.  I decided to leave the average on as I know the course like the back of my hand and focused on keeping the average over 18, which I did coming in at 18.2 on the bike odometer.  I looked for Ethan but did not see him before I did the back loop.  As I rolled back into the park, there was Ethan in the last half mile of the race running like a cheetah down the road. I got out on the run course just after Ethan finished.

 

At the mile marker, I was 8:05 which was shocking.  I did not feel too bad, and decided to keep pressing.  I felt great at the end, and ran 23:25, averaging around 7:40 per mile which is jet speed for me.  My total time was 1:50.30, which broke my personal Lums Pond record by over 2 minutes.  Ethan finished 64 overall out of 300+, a great finish for someone who has only been running pretty much this season.

 

It is a great race--good course, well run, fast. I continue to recommend it.