Triathlon # 3, Complete!

But just the second actually since last September.  Last Sunday was a repeat location and length
of the fall one, except in mid December, it was 45 degrees at the start, but felt much colder.  Much colder. Despite wearing full wet-suits, the missus and I weren't ready for the extreme cold.  One person needed assistance back to shore after the first 100 feet.  We weren't that bad but almost.  Another athlete more or less collapsed during the bike portion and needed assistance.  An ambulance took him away but we believe he was okay.

Upon exiting the water my hands were so cold it was difficult to to take off my wet-suit.  That and dizzy, very dizzy.  That translated into a 6:50 transition to the bike race compared to a 4:53 transition in the fall.  The bike ride was better, save for the cold fingers and toes.  While I rode 18.9 mph, versus 17.8 in the fall, my wife rode 15.4 vs 17.3 in the fall.  Cold hands don't grip handlebars in confidence or strength.

Finally, upon starting the run, it felt odd to run and push off without feeling your big toe.  However, after the first two somewhat awkward miles, I was able to run 3 seconds per mile faster than in the fall, without having to sprint the last few hundred yards.  My wife ran 13 seconds per mile faster than in the fall, her only split that was an improvement.  She ran 7:47 a mile to my 8:47 per mile.

What did we learn?  Only to do running races or maybe duathlons in the winter months but do NOT swim!  Really.  Even with better gloves, nope. Not gonna happen.

On a very positive note, my wife and I want to continue and do more.  We look ahead to Spring and hope to find some runs and tri races that will continue to inspire and challenge us.