It’s race day once again and it’s a rare Sunday race. John Ankney and I are off early, 4:30 AM and arrive a little after 6 AM. We register and are able to get our swims in early. This race is unique, and a lot of fun because of the order that we do things. For this race we arrive early and swim our laps which are timed. Then at 9 we go out to the transition area and have our pre-race meeting. From there we prepare for a run that is about 0.8 miles in length and around the block. We begin in a mass start and the run is meant to break us up as we head back to our bikes to begin our criterium of 4 laps that total 10 miles. After finishing the bike we then transition back to running and run another 3.2 miles in the surrounding neighborhoods.
This race has a special place in my memory because it was the first time that I placed in my age group. Last year I finished 24th overall and 3rd in my age group. My wife Jennifer was quick to point out that there were only 3 people in my age group that year so I was bound to place. I sure am glad that I have her around to keep my ego in check!
The meeting and the lineup go off without a hitch. After a brief moment of silence in memory of Joann McConnell, the person that the race is named after, we consign ourselves to waiting for the starting horn. It is not long before the horn sounds and we are off.
I start out at a fairly fast pace and quickly find myself in the lead group of runners (in the top 5). We wind through the development and find ourselves back in the parking lot where we begin our first transition. I am 4th in line and my time is about 4:20, about 5 seconds faster than last year. John is right behind me and 6th into the lot.
I have my best transition of the year and find myself riding my bike out of the parking lot ahead of John. Unfortunately, I have problems with my pedals and John passes me on the hill. (note: the pedals have since been replaced……). Still, I have a great ride and return to the transition area in 6th place. I felt strong during the entire ride and have a ride time of about 28 minutes.
As I make the turn I’m ready to run the final 3.2 miles. It’s hot, but I am able to run a steady pace and hold my position until I have about a half mile to go. That’s when the person who has been patiently stalking me finally catches me and passes. I am able to latch on and stay within a few paces of him but unable to pass him.
I finish 7th overall with a time of 1:08:29, but will drop another spot in the final standing due to my slower swim time. In fact I had the slowest time in the top ten. I ended up finishing 8th and won my age group. It was a day for two firsts, my first top ten and my first age group win. John had a strong day finishing 4th overall, and also winning his age group.
The boys from Peach Bottom had a great day! For complete results check out this link: Journey for Joann.
However, my wife Jennifer was once again quick to bring me back back down to earth by asking me if I was the only one in my age group! I am pleased to explain to her that there were 3 people in my age group again this year, but I was the one who won the event, beating the person in 2nd by over 7 minutes!
