Steelhead 70.3

I am sunburned, tired, and really glad to be home. What a great weekend racing! My first triathlon since IM Wisconsin 2011 went well:
Swim--0:35:xx. Though cold outside the water was relatively warm. I felt a wee bit nauseous during the swim and it was loooong, but ultimately went well.
Bike--2:35:xx. The first 30 miles went fast. The last 26 were interminable. Always the biggest struggle for me.
Run--1:33:xx. My bum achilles held up like a champ. Mad props to my buddy and personal surgeon Billy E for taking care of me.
Total--4:51:xx. Beat my previous 70.3 time by nearly thirty minutes.
105th overall (out of 1,500?). 18th in my division.
I raced Steelhead last in 2005, one year before it was gobbled up by WTC and made an official Ironman 70.3 event. The course has changed a bit--harder bike and much better run.

The most fun about this race? Doing it with my friends and parishioners Ben Huggins, Kevin Keyzer, and Mary Keyzer. My buddy Steve Spoelhof was also there. So grateful for these friends in Christ who share an affinity for suffering while swimming, biking, and running.

The day was beautiful. The kids were troopers, and Julie her spectacular self. I am going to spend the next week reading books, eating ice cream, and not getting up for early swims.

Greatest thanks go to my wife, most of all. Jule is the best. The kids, too, were wonderfully supportive and ever-patient. Huge thanks also to my teammates Kevin Keyzer, Mary Keyzer, Ben Huggins, and Steve Spoelhof. Finally, a huge thanks to Will and my biking mates at FCC--Shane, Nick, Dan, and Bryan.

Not sure when I'm going to tri again. Doctorate must be attended to. Chicago Marathon (Nike Pace Team) is next.