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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">Saturday, July 30, 2011</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">I had a perfect day of racing. I could not have asked for anything more than what I did. God is awesome. Just prior to the start of the race I had a local pastor come and pray over me; I think because I was wearing my MultiSport Ministries uniform provoked him to ask if it was ok. I believe that this set the stage for the remainder of the morning.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">The race started in a Time Trial fashion with 2 people starting every 3 seconds. I started about 16 back and all I wanted to do was have a strong swim but not push too hard. I came out of the water in 8 minutes and I was initially stunned that it took that long; I was hoping to be in the low 7s. I shook that off and quickly transitioned to the bike and I was off. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">My goal was to ride somewhere in the 22 mph range since it was a flat and fast course. I felt great on the bike and got passed by two folks about 4 miles into the bike and that was the last of anyone to pass me. Since I started toward the front there were not too many people in front of me. I would pass a guy and he would pass me back and that kept happening throughout the course. About 10 miles into it I passed a runner that told me I was in 10th place so that gave me a little encouragement for the final 2+ miles. I came into the transition and my Garmin Split showed 12.5 miles with an average speed of 22.5, another confidence booster. I quickly racked the bike, running shoes and out I went in 30 seconds. Passing 3 athletes that entered transition right in front of me. So that put me in 6 starting the run.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">My goal on the run was to run strong but not go all out. I wanted to run 7:30s. I felt great reached the first mile in 7:13 and I just tried to keep a steady pace and keep my stride on point without overdoing it. I was catching the runner in front of me and I notice he was in my age group so I waited until we came to a slight up hill and I picked up the pace slightly to get around him just prior to the turn around. Once I hit the turn I knew he didn’t have it in him to keep the pace. I hit mile 2 in 7:15, slightly slower but I was happy with it. A little over a mile to go and I picked up the pace finishing mile 3 in 7:04 and finishing the race with a total time of 22:05 crossing the finish line 5<sup>th</sup>. Then it was a waiting game to see where the remainder of the field finished. Because of it being a time trial start, there was no telling where I actually finished until all the times were posted.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">Once the official times were posted I finished in 1:05:40 in 6<sup>th</sup> place overall and 1<sup>st</sup> in age group. What a great start to the weekend.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">Happy Training Everyone.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">I had a perfect day of racing. I could not have asked for anything more than what I did. God is awesome. Just prior to the start of the race I had a local pastor come and pray over me; I think because I was wearing my MultiSport Ministries uniform provoked him to ask if it was ok. I believe that this set the stage for the remainder of the morning.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">The race started in a Time Trial fashion with 2 people starting every 3 seconds. I started about 16 back and all I wanted to do was have a strong swim but not push too hard. I came out of the water in 8 minutes and I was initially stunned that it took that long; I was hoping to be in the low 7s. I shook that off and quickly transitioned to the bike and I was off. </span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">My goal was to ride somewhere in the 22 mph range since it was a flat and fast course. I felt great on the bike and got passed by two folks about 4 miles into the bike and that was the last of anyone to pass me. Since I started toward the front there were not too many people in front of me. I would pass a guy and he would pass me back and that kept happening throughout the course. About 10 miles into it I passed a runner that told me I was in 10th place so that gave me a little encouragement for the final 2+ miles. I came into the transition and my Garmin Split showed 12.5 miles with an average speed of 22.5, another confidence booster. I quickly racked the bike, running shoes and out I went in 30 seconds. Passing 3 athletes that entered transition right in front of me. So that put me in 6 starting the run.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">My goal on the run was to run strong but not go all out. I wanted to run 7:30s. I felt great reached the first mile in 7:13 and I just tried to keep a steady pace and keep my stride on point without overdoing it. I was catching the runner in front of me and I notice he was in my age group so I waited until we came to a slight up hill and I picked up the pace slightly to get around him just prior to the turn around. Once I hit the turn I knew he didn’t have it in him to keep the pace. I hit mile 2 in 7:15, slightly slower but I was happy with it. A little over a mile to go and I picked up the pace finishing mile 3 in 7:04 and finishing the race with a total time of 22:05 crossing the finish line 5<sup>th</sup>. Then it was a waiting game to see where the remainder of the field finished. Because of it being a time trial start, there was no telling where I actually finished until all the times were posted.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">Once the official times were posted I finished in 1:05:40 in 6<sup>th</sup> place overall and 1<sup>st</sup> in age group. What a great start to the weekend.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">Happy Training Everyone.</span></span></p>
