Finished!

Just a very brief post for now, I think - I had a lovely day out there, in a hot, uncomfortable, slightly painful triathlonish way. I learned a number of things, I finished in a slightly faster time than last year (the number began with a seven rather than an eight, that is good, even if it was a pretty near thing!) and I will write a lavishly long analysis of the numbers later this week when the results are up online.

I yet again was pretty much walking most of the run, but I actually felt pretty fresh (my bike time was considerably faster than last year) - I was exiting from the swim and my right calf seized up in a huge cramp that just wouldn't go away. I need to stretch that muscle more regularly - I've been having minor problems with it while running, but this definitely makes it a priority (I am pretty certain it was a biomechanical rather than primarily metabolic cramp, if that makes sense - I had a lovely effortless easy swim, the time was slower than last year but it felt excellent - it may be that the course was a little long). Discretion was the better part of valor - I moved as fast as I thought sensible, but it was not very fast.

Best remark overheard on the course, from one of the 10-year-old boys at an aid station on the EXTREMELY HOT Bataan-Death-March-style run course, while looking at faces of oncoming runners: "Right now this is DEFINITELY not the happiest place on earth!"

That said, I am BURSTING WITH TRIATHLON ENDORPHINS!