5/26/2018

Crystal River Triathlon Series Race #1

Ken Frankenbery

Finish Time:  1:13:48

Division Place:  1st place

Overall Finish:  37th

Race Review By Ken Frankenbery

Crystal River Florida Sprint Triathlon:  600 Yard swim/15-mile bike/3-mile run

It has been almost 2 years since my last Triathlon. A torn hamstring had sidelined me and I was looking for test race.

After heavy thunderstorms all night, things cleared but left us with a hot & humid morning. The race was well organized, started at 7:30 am sharp, and would be my first ocean swim.

The salt water definitely helps with buoyancy, and with 80 plus degree water temp, no wet suits were allowed.  I started in wave 2, people were well spread out so not a lot of people swimming over top of you.  I stayed calm at the start-had a decent swim and came out 5th in my age group.  I had a fast transition, passing 1 person there.  The bike was a super flat out and back.  It was tricky not to draft with all the bikes out there.  They had spotters and getting within 3 bike lengths of someone was grounds for disqualification.  You had to plan your passes.  I passed one more person in my age group.

I had a solid bike leg – averaged 21.7 MPH.  The last 5 miles the heat/humidity started to hit me.  Another good transition put me right behind 3rd place and I went by him as we started the run, then picked off the other 2 before the ½ way point.  Like the bike, run was a simple out and back.

I suffered on the run from the heat, but my hamstring felt great. Finished 37th overall (just over 300 total), 1st in my class.

Felt great to be back racing!!