west coast madness!

Since I didn't race locally, i shall deem this west coast madness!

Saturday agenda-race!

This is my selection for day 1 of the weekend:

1. rnr marathon CO
2. spartan race VT, UK
3. color me rad 5k NV, MT, NY
4. 5k fun run
5. beach bash 5k
6. Miami children's 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL/USA). The latter was original & wisest choice (closest in proximity) but it and #5 passed over using the been there, done that rule.

Although labeled a fun run because no age group awards were given, the top 39 were eligible to receive prizes based on overall position. That's the fun; you had some power to control your destiny!

My summation, Clint Eastwood style:

the good: made top ten, thus ending the losing streak
the bad: got a prize limited to the area
the ugly: time

Sunday agenda-race!

This is my selection for the last day of the weekend:

1. rnr marathon CD
2. spartan race VT, UK
3. paradise coast du/tri/10k
4. power man du

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/USA). The latter was would be the wisest choice (closest in proximity) but it was passed over using the loyalty rule. Also, considering i have never done an international duathlon by myself, i chose the lesser of 2 evils. #3 used 5/40/10 k format, which was more than enough challenging for me, while the die hards, especially cyclists, would have preferred the other, using 10/60/10 k format.

I made a grave error the night before and proceeded with daylight savings time. Naturally, that made me 'late' to the race (late meaning less than 15 minutes till the start). Listen to my woes:

pre start: got stuck in muddy grass parking; thankfully someone helped me out. next, had to prep bike. got in air but set up not possible. thankfully I got a legal assist to place the bike in transition.
run 1 (5k): stop to rest room, since unable to go prior to start
T1: slowest of all because I had to find bike, get helmet, gloves, glasses & shoes on (no pre set up)
bike (40k): struggled through due to previous blunder plus magnet kept hitting throughout
T2: still slow, feeling effects of racing
run 2 (10k): came off bike with right foot injury (2 miles till less pain), shuffled through out, fell out at end (heat exhaustion)

My summation, Clint Eastwood style:

the good: made top 15 (as tri), placed in age category
the bad: time
the ugly: the aforementioned problems, heat & humidity

I praise the Lord for allowing me to finish my first solo international duathlon (or so I can remember), despite the short comings and medical situation.