Eagleman 70.3 Race Review

2007 was the 6th year in a row for me racing in Eagleman. Every year I fear the conditions here because it's usually hot, windy and the water is rough. But the angry Eagleman Gods stayed away this time. Conditions were ideal. If you raced in your first Eagleman on June 10 don't be fooled. Consider yourself lucky!

I went off in the 5th wave with the in water start. It was cloudy so visibilty was great. The day before we got in the water for a practice swim and the sun glare was unbelievable. It would have made sighting the turn difficult at best. But it was not to be. The only thing that we had to contend with was a bunch of unruly swimmers. I had my goggles knocked off twice within the first 300 yards. Then as I was about 100 yards from the turn, some guy cut across a bunch of swimmers, me included, at a 90 degree angle as if he wanted out. Strangest thing.

After I was able to get out of the water from a last minute cramp, I looked at my watch and it read 34:31. My fastest time ever at Eagleman. I walked/ran back to transition and took my time. I had been nursing an ankle/foot injury so I wasn't planiing on running after the bike. I was playing it by ear. The bike wnet very smoothly. In fact it was the best bike ever at Eagleman. There was never that strong headwind that slows you down and knocks the crap out of you. I finished the bike strong and started to think about doing the run.

Again, I took my time in transition and as I started out, had the mindset that I'd stop anytime if the foot hurt. I didn't want to cause any relapse in my injury that would prevent me from doing Ironman Lake Placid. That was the goal. But mile after mile, it felt ok. The knees were hurting but I managed to get through it. It was the longest run in training so far.

My finish time was my best in 6 years which is unbelievable because of the foot injury. But it was all about the conditions. The best I've ever experienced. And that can make or break a race. Natascha Badmann set a new world record in 70.3 distance. That's saying something.

Just Say...Hello

When I'm out on the bike, I make it a point to acknowledge other bikers, especially triathlete bikers, when we pass. I usually give a little flick of the hand off the aerobars. Or if I'm within earshot, a quick, 'how ya doin'. I would say that in all incidences I get about a 50-50 reaction back. In other words, 50% acknowledge and 50% do not. Let's say that 10% can't because they are distracted by a car coming, a pedestrian, a bird, whatever. So, 40% don't say, Hi.

So, why is that? I mean what the heck?!!

I have my own reasons as to why 40% of the riders out there can't force themselves to say hello to a fellow rider. I think it's a reflection about our World today. We're living in the "Me, Me, Me" generation. It's all about me and no one else.

If you find your way to this site and this post and your one of the 40 percenters, make the world a better place. Just say Hi, Hello, Hey. It only takes a second.