Nothing cooler than standing next to the announcer’s tent for the national anthem and then for Sister Madonna Buder’s invocation. Transition was small but well placed (a bank parking lot) and the overall race location was nice. The finish area was a space center park next to transition. The organizer’s even color-coded the wrist bands to match the racer’s distance for the swim buoys and bike signs.
The triathlon in one word: rough.
The swim for the half was a long triangle done counter-clockwise. And it seemed the farther out we went the choppy it got. Especially when we made the first turn, that is when it got slow and most choppy. After turning again and heading to the exit dock, I picked it up, even catching a group when I got to the exit. Exit was a pair of ladders from a pool secured to a dock with volunteers there to offer assistance getting out. There was a bit of a run to get to transition – down the dock, across a small park and around to the back of transition before entering. Took longer to get on my bike shoes than normal. Mount line was just outside of the parking lot.
I am 50/50 on the bike course: nothing beats going by the launch pads, vehicle assembly building, and seeing nature on the course … but about ⅔ of the roads were almost as bad as the washboard at Ironman Florida. There were a few portions that were decent, even a stretch around the launch pads which had been paved not long ago. It started with the one major climb of the course – the causeway that joined the mainland to Merrit Island which started ½ mile from transition, climbed up 65 feet and lasted about ½ mile. The next 9 miles or so were bumpy, yet, thanks to a tailwind, I maintained about 18-20 miles/hour. The half iron course had a turn for an out-and-back, which was so thankfully smoother so I was able to stop and pull up my right arm pad which had bent down due to the earlier bumpy section. After the out-and-back, I continued south past where the classic and internation turned east. The going was decent, even after the u-turn, until there was a right turn to head east. This road was relatively less bouncy, but the tailwind was pretty strong (I saw 24+ mph) which led to a slow return (10-13 mph). Oh, yeah, that was the 3rd out-and-back, 2nd that went east-west. I then rejoined the classic/international course that was heading for the launch pads and vehicle assembly building (the KSC photographers were positioned for that shot). At one point there was a turn by one of the NASA buildings and I then saw signs for turn for half irons. This ended up being about a 1 mile box that ended up putting me back before the first turn. Not only do I not remember this box on the map nor a part of the race briefing, but who is to say that some people … missed it? After the big loop around the pads, I then had the pleasure of turning east … remember the out-and-back of 10-13 mph? Yep, those winds again. There were some portions that were easier to deal with than others, but there was no sweeter site than that of the bridge and nearby apartment complex. Thanks to time spent in headwinds and bumps, I still surprised myself by averaging 10 mph up the bridge in the headwind, zig-zagging and passing people. Then it was the downhill – I thought I could get by without peddling, but half way I noticed I was only doing 15mph and slowing down, so I started peddling again and cruised the last 1/2 mile to transition.
Got one pair of shoes and headgear (helmet) off and another pair of shoes and hat on. The exit from transition took almost the same path around transition as the swim to the road. For the half marathon course we followed the road along the river south for about 3.5 miles, headed back to the park, turned around and did the whole loop again. It would have gone a lot better if not for three issues: my legs were sore from the windy bike ride, my butt was sore from the bumpy bike ride & it was not cloudy. Still, when I was not walking the aide stations (two set up on the course passed four times each loop with water, gatorade, ice & Clif Shots) I was doing a decent pace (~10 min/mile) for good portions, especially when there was a breeze. There were a few spots where locals were parked in lawn chairs cheering runners on – not along a stretch on US1 with businesses (one lane was coned off for runners). I think I ran the last mile in. The finish wrapped around a lake in the space park with music and a guy announcing finishers – fudged my name a bit (duh!), but made a point to ask the correct pronounciation as his girlfriend also has a last name with many consonants. Water, soda and even a few slices of pizza were consumed afterwards.
Did I beat my time from Miami Man a few years ago? Sure. Did I think I would do better? Of course. I might have shaved several minutes off in better weather and/or road conditions. But, I can’t control the weather. Would I do the race next year (if offered)? Depends on what, if any, changes are made.
