13/100's of a second... BFAST #1

This past weekend I did the first Beaches Fine Arts Series Triathlon, stop number one of three. This is a sprint triathlon and consisted of a 1/4 mile swim, 10-11 mile bike, and about a 3.25 mile run. Danny Domingo has won this so many times I've lost count. Other speedsters have also won over the years, like Will Pearce, Greg Carr, Steve Pettit, Brian Fleischmann and a host of others. I decided to give it a go this year, but knew that my legs would still be pretty burnt from the last two weekends of racing...especially Gulf Coast the week before.

This race is held using Wave starts, which means that different ages and categories are sent off at different time intervals. I started in Wave 1, which was 39 and under (yep, my last year in this wave). The water temperature was 74 degrees, so you could use a wetsuit if you wanted...but I didn't think I could get it off fast enough to make it worth while.

The horn blasted signaling the start of our Wave...I started my watch and ran for the water...BIG mistake. I SHOULD have started my watch early, and been ultra aggressive getting to the first buoy...instead I was locked in a water based wrestling match that made the Ironman swim start feel like I was alone in the lake! This reminded me of a criterium start...110% aggression trying to get to the first buoy and turn left. I was scratched, hit, and one guy even grabbed my head on the downstroke and pushed me under and back...ouch! I think I drank 1/2 a gallon of Atlantic Ocean water...would this negate my need for salt tablets...hmmm, probably not. As I fought around the first buoy, I was stuck behind a bunch of guys going slower than I wanted...but I couldn't get around since there were people behind, in front, at each side...and sometimes on top of my back...so I just kept going. The swim was fairly short, but when I got out I was a little nauseated.

We ran up the beach to the parking lot in some pretty thick sand...and then made our way to the bikes. Heading out of transition 1 I was dodging guys trying to get into their shoes...and even had to go into the other lane to avoid a possible pileup. Once on the open road I could see the lead motorcycle way up ahead...so I started reeling people in and making up time. I caught the leader about a 1/2 mile before the first turn. I had to pass some cars that were at a stop sign in my lane...that was fun. I kept going fairly hard to try and get a lead for the run. I came up on the transition area so quick I didn't have time to get my feet out of my shoes, so had to run through transition with my bike shoes on...clop, clop, clop...for some reason I always think about horses trotting on the road when I hear that sound. Anyhow, I changed into my running shoes and was misdirected...then I had to turn around and go out the correct way...more time lost.

I ran out of transition hearing the beeping sound of the timing mats...which meant riders were starting to pour into the transition area to begin chasing me down. I followed Double D's advise, and went out hard...but holding back slightly, my first mile was about 6:10-6:12. It's amazing how far the turn-around point seemed! I started the return trip and the guy in second was about 40 seconds behind me, so I started pouring it on with what I had left. Near the end I kept turning around to make sure I was not getting run down...AGAIN, and let up slightly. I crossed the line first in my Wave. One funny note, on the run I had several people yelling, "Go Lyndon"...I guess all us bald guys look alike!

At this point I was pretty happy with my effort...until the final results were posted. In the Men's division I got second...by 13/100's of a second, yes, that would look like this: 00:00:00.13 ... ouch! Steve Pettit, who is an excellent triathlete...especially at the sprints, beat me. I don't mind being beat, but come on... 13/100's of a second! Also, we were both beat by Sara McLarty, who decided to stop here on her way to the World Championships and the Olympic Trials!

Well, I've learned a lesson...and hopefully won't make the same mistake again. I'm still in the hunt for the overall series, so will try to do better next time.

Here are the full results.


My bike hangs out in transition...


Former UF swimmer...current national triathlon team member...and slayer of the BFAST's Jaxavillian males...Sara McLarty...


Me losing the race by 13/100's of a second because I raised my arm!


Collecting my award, while Sara McLarty consoles me by saying, "It's ok Sween, everybody's a winner..."