| Course Map | Randall's Island Map |
I asked Lee and the kids if they could come too. I don't drag them anymore to these things but the way the course was set (spectators could just stand in 1 place and see it/experience it all) and the location (Randalls Island), I asked. I figured they would enjoy it, at least I hoped they would. Then Adele told me what time we have to be there and I balked. Spoke to my crew and told them the situation. I would love for them to come but I don't want to punish them either by such an early wake up so either a) they don't come (it's ok), b) they come with me (crazy) or c) Adele picks me up so we make the pickup/checkin on time and they drive by themselves to the race start and hopefully get there on time. No matter what, it's ok with me.
The plan was for Adele to pick me up and we would go and check-in. Lee and the kids would show up as soon as they can knowing that the race starts at 7:30. I'm in wave 2 and Adele is in wave 3 which means we would get in the water very soon after the start. Kinda strange tho that I am in an earlier wave than Adele as it goes fastest to slowest but whatever. Figured she would pass me any which way.
Picked me up without a prob and we drove to Randalls. Little confusion about where to go once on the Island. They had a map of the Island but stupid me never realized that the triboro bridge, AKA the RFK (Robert F Kennedy) Bridge, is actually 3 bridges connecting the 3 boroughs (Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx). I mean I never understood why there are multiple toll booths but I guess that clears that up. Also, the name Triboro really makes sense now. Still, the map they gave had 3 bridges and I couldn't figure out where we would get on the Island and where was the race. Now of course it makes sense. By the way, as a trivia question, Randalls Island belongs to Manhattan.
Parked and walked a long way to the check-in tent. Big line to check-in and even bigger line to the Port-a-pottie. Couldn't believe NYCSWIM only had 2 port-a-potties for over 250 athletes and their crew. Got checked-in, put my stuff in transition (not closed off) and ran to the port-a-pottie line. Line took a long time and they ran out of Toilet Paper. The volunteers brought a roll and people took a little as they went in. Luckily, I assume the worst and always bring a ziplock bag with wipes. Get out and I missed part of the meeting. Why wouldn't they have the meeting close to the port-a-potties is beyond me. Maybe the stench but it wasn't really fair either with only 2. Still, got my business done and heard some of the meeting.
Most important part of the meeting was they were joining waves 1 and 2 together and also 3 and 4. I don't know why.
Back to the port-a-pottie line for a second tho. As we were standing there, we were watching the water as they set the course with buoies or buoys (both spelling correct). Now, they told us the current would pretty much be none or at most 1 knot so we would have no issue as we were supposed to go both ways in the water. So, we were watching and there was a boat perpendicular to the short (sideways) and it was floating pretty fast down river or in English "there was a strong current going on!!!". Hm... Well, it seems like NYCSWIM recognized this and dealt with it. They changed the swim course so were further away from the Triboro Bridge and the Hellsgate Bridge.
So, the meeting is done, we have about 5 minutes to go and I still don't have my wetsuit on nor is my transition area set up. Not good. Had to hurry things up. Lee and kids MIA.
Got my stuff ready super fast, asked someone to put anti-chaff on the back of my neck and pulled wetsuit up. Adele zipped me up and I ran to my place in line (numerical order). Wave 1 in the water and go and it's our turn to clambor down to the water. Grabbed a volunteers hand to get down and into the water. No jumping in this time or running in - just an in-water (waist high) start.
I'm on the right and the first buoy is in front of me, due straight, and we had to make a right turn there. I figured this would be a major bottleneck or hitting opportunity so I decided as soon as the gun goes off to go as hard as I can and make the turn before things get physical. And I did!
Gun goes off and I jump in the front and take the turn first. Cool. Now, settle in to swim. At this point we are going against the current but I feel like I am flying probably due to the wetsuit. Didn't see my crew yet but as I see people on shore I try to look. I thought at 1 point that I see them but when I stopped to look it wasn't them. It's ok. Straight down to the last buoy, make a left to the next buoy, again a left and head home with the current. That being said, we did have to make a left to cross the river, meaning cross the current and that I think threw many people off course. In other words, they overshot the swim exit. Sucks to be them. My sighting and correcting has been great and I get to the swim exit and reach up to take a hand. Also, a hand to climb up. Suprise, crew is there and they run with me to my spot in transition.
Remember I said it was not fenced in? That really sucks as anyone could steal something but on the other hand it was nice that they could be there with me at transition. Jeremy asked me if I needed help with the wetsuit and I thanked him but said "nope, not allowed". Stripped off the wetsuit easily, no issues - yay! and got ready. Later Jeremy told me that someone was recording me with her phone as I was stripping the wetsuit off and stopped as soon as she saw him looking. Whatever...
Got ready and left with the kids running with me a small part of the way. I felt great. I usually feel great right after the swim so it wasn't such a suprise. Seems like there were still a lot of people in the water so I ran. I ran and ran. I think I got confused, my fault, when I looked at the course map. I expected a short run with a turn past transition and then a long run with a turn back to the finish. Instead, it was the opposite. I'm running and the turn around never came. I was told it was at the second bridge. We had to go under the Triboro all the way to Hellsgate and then turn. Meanwhile I see, lead male and lead female chugging along. Cool. After 10 people, I stopped counting. Didn't expect to do amazing anyway so who cares. I passed a few people and made sure not to be passed. Finally got to the turnaround. Dude ahead of me stops and takes his vibram five finger shoes (gorilla feet) off and continue running. Sucks to be him because until this point, I thought the road was pretty clear but here there were some small rocks. Still, passed him and continued.
Grabbed some water to rinse my mouth, thanked the volunteer and continued. Finally close to transition and I see my guys who run with me a little. I show them where to meet me and I continue.
Quick little tangent here...As Adele and I were walking from car, I started talking to this girl and perhaps her boyfriend. Well, back to the story. I'm running and I just ran past transition and on the way to the last turnaround. I get there and the dude is there with his camera and he takes my picture. Cool.
Suddenly, I see the guy who takes his shoes off and I get worried. I continue running and looking back and there's the finish line and he doesn't catch me. Awesome. Got some fruit and food and water and Adele comes chugging along. She had a great swim. She was in the next wave after me and as I am getting ready to run, she gets to her transition area. Still, she is slower on the run and as expected I (overall) finish before her.
I stay with the kids and Lee goes with Adele - Awesome. She finishes looking good.
I forgot to mention that as I was coming in to the finish the kids were there and they ran with me. LOVE IT!
People still swimming. Crazy stuff. We see this black guy, obviously a weight lifter go on the run. Hey he finished. I think he was the last finisher. Awesome. Saw another guy finish the swim and I congratulated but he wasn't happy. They pulled him out of the water because he took too long and then dumped him near the finish so he can swim in. Sucks. Adele thinks it's so that they wouldn't be embarrassed. I think it's because the boats can't come so close to the shore.
All in all it was a great day, my crew showed up and they saw me on the swim, during transition and on the run. The volunteers were great as usual but my complaint was the port-a-pottie issue.
At this point, Jeremy (of course) wanted to leave, Lee didn't care and (of course) Jessie wanted to stay. Then again, she had a book report due while he had nothing.
We were gonna leave but I just quickly checked where I was in the prelimineray standings. Seems like I was 22 overall but ages weren't printed out so I couldn't tell what's what. Still, said goodbye to Adele and asked her if by accident I win something to pick up for me.
Kids still divided about staying so I quickly asked how long for awards. I mean there is a (ridiculous) small chance here of something and I was assured that it would be in 5 minutes. Now, it's never really 5 minutes but it was. So, we hung out. I'm standing near Adele and we listen to Morty give due his thing.
He gets the crowd going by asking if people liked it - cheers. If people will come back next year - cheers. And before he can ask the next question, I yell out and will we have more port-a-potties next year to which everyone cheered again. So, no choice, he of course said yes and people cheered again. Nice. After that it was a constant joke about the port-a-potties.
So, we start for real and they are doing 10 year age groups. That SUCKS! No way now but I'm here and I might as well listen right? They get to my age group I know my time is 55:41. They announce first place at 52:08, and second place at 52:48. I got no chance until I hear my name pronounced correctly at 3rd place. WOW!!!
Never happens at NYCSWIM...And 10 year age groups too...And after the IM...
Some stupid stats:
It was a good day. (10 year age groups!!!)
