IM Lanzarote

Swim (2.4 miles) it was a beach start, out of laziness, I lined up pretty much in the middle of everybody, i didn't feel like pushing my way to the front to have everybody swim over me, so i stood where i was and waited for the gun to sound the migration. this proved to be a mistake, and re-inforced my standard advice, if you're a strong swimmer start at the front, if you are a weak swimmer, start at the back, if you are somewhere in the middle start to the outside. Because when you start in the middle, you wind up fighting through the weak swimmers and being swam over by the strong swimmers. the battle to the first turn was worse than i remember arizona being, and it only opened up slightly after the first turn. periodically through the first lap, i would be swarmed by masses of swimmers and reenact the opening struggles, swimming over, under and around people. the second loop went a bit more smoothly, yet still had the swarms from time to time. the last couple hundred meters i was able to pull a bit stronger and find calm water to enjoy before the bike.. SWIM 1:07:09 (1:44/100m), a bit slow, but faster than the 1:52/100m i swam at wildflower.

T1 a nice jaunt up the beach and into the changing tents, helmet, sunglasses, carry my shoes (after the changing tent, there is more sand to run through) had i properly researched the transition as usual, i'd have known this, and left my shoes on the bike, as i prefer to do anyway. i slap on lots of sunscreen, and head over to my bike. sit down and put on my cycling shoes. not quite sure how i took so long, but i do know i spent a lot of time around my bike before actually mustering the ambition to start the ride: 5:52 transition time.

Bike (112 miles) not much to say about this, except the bike course had some spectacular views, 1 descent with 4 or 5 switchbacks which i was very unenthusiastic about. i didn't have sufficient faith in my brakes or bike handling to go very quickly down that section. the weather was very forgiving, unfortunately my legs were unable to take advantage of this. I was holding an ok ride up to around 70 miles, then my legs began protesting, my pace slowed as did my ambition. The good news, there will be a couple more sections with some good views. i will say the bike course was smooth, they made great use of traffic circles on out and back and turning sections. The mile markers were off up to km 160, which made for a seemingly very fast final 20k. i was pretty happy to see puerto del carmen come into site and retrace the early stages of the bike course, coming back into transtion. a very unspectacular ride, though i did enjoy a lot more of the scenery on this course than on any other bike course, if only because i didn't have the legs to hammer through it: Bike 6:04:39 (18.4 mph)

T2 1 issue, a good little run through, put my socks and sneakers on wait around for the lady with the sunscreen, but she takes to long, so i am off without reapplying sunscreen. 3:59

Run (26.2 miles) I start out feeling pretty good and try to reign in the pace for the first 1/2. this turns out to be far easier than i'd hoped it would be. i keep waiting to see mike on his way back. after about 6 miles, the wheels are loosening up and feel as though they will come off at any minute. i fight to keep them on, but i didn't bring any nutritoin, and all i see at the aid stations is small pieces of banana and orange wedges. i am grabbing 1 piece of banana and orange wedges at every aid station and eating them; however, at roughly 50 calories/ aid station, i am not able to replenish calories as quick as i'd like to, the good news is i had 0 stomach issues, perhaps i'll try mixing a gel in every hour on top of the orange/banana nutrition to get my 400 calories an hour without stomach issues. sounds like something i'll be trying at vineman in late july. about 1 mile from the turn around, i see mike, he looks like the wheels are on the way off too. about 5 miles later, mike and i are shuffling along together laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation. after a bit of shuffling and much walking, we cross the finish line: RUN 5:15:51 (12:03 min/mile) another unspectacular day on a difficult course, but not a tough as my finishing time indicates: 12:37:28. looks like i didn't get the necessary work in before showing up.

Wildflower long course

Swim (1.2 miles) I lined up close to front, not expecting too much. i was in a good pack for the first 100m or so, then we took the first turn, and my navigational proficiency failed, i swam out of the pack and was unable to find a set of feet to draft, so wound up swimming most of the course on my own. not ideal, but it makes for a good workout. SWIM 0:34:45 (1:47/100m), still lots of room to improve.

T1 a nice long run up the boat ramp and over to the bike, stripped my wetsuit with no issues, onto the bike. 2:35

Bike (56 miles) got onto the bike with that all to familiar my legs are still in the swim feel, not to excited about that, so i push a little bit to try to wake them up, after 4 or 5 miles of this and no real response, i accept it and just try to find a nice rhythm. Not too long into the ride i'm settled in a bit. just before the 1/2 way point i see a buffalo, that's a pleasant suprise, don't see too many of those in this area. the unspectacularness continues through the remainder of the bike, the climbs are slow and steady, i briefly get stuck behind a trio of cars on a downhill section and then am passed by them on the flat. i enjoy the relaxing coast down into t2: Bike 2:55:50 (19.1 mph).

T2 got in racked my bike, put on my shoes, and back out, a very comfortable and efficient transtion: 1:41

Run (13.1 miles) : the run wasn't bad, not spectacular, it's a nice run along the lake for the first 4 or 5 miles, then it turns in and runs through the campsites, so there is lots of people to help distract from the heat and discomfort. i had some issues and walked a bit on the run course, then decided that's not going to cut it, i need to get some running done, so i muster a decent pace for the remainder of the run, cruising up the climbs, and coasting down through the descents. on the last downhill i let gravity run it's magic, and continue to hold the momentum through the finish line. RUN 1:58:35 (9:03 min/mile) another unspectacular day: 5:33:26. looks like i did some digressing since oceanside.