Victoria 70.3 Report - short version

VICTORIA stayed at a cozy Airbnb in Cordova Bay 3 days of course reconnaissance before RACE DAY to remove any uncertainties had temperate conditions light wind with sunshine SWIM 1714 racers shortened course of 1500 meters through milfoil without panic or labored breathing 36:34T1  smiling out of the water even without wetsuit strippers to help was a bit of a struggle forgot to pee in water darn 9:29 BIKE kept heart rate low for the first 5 miles was content taking in calories and enjoyed the fact that it was a beautiful course and we had no rain AIDSTATIONS overhydrated and stopped 3 times to pee 4:03:58 T2  was amusing to see with thousands of dollars heaped into a disastrous mess and another opportunity to pee 4:28 RUN legs felt good started slow as planned with focus to get through the first loop and be mentally prepared to pass by the celebrations at the finish line MILE 6  second loop provided a lot of alone time in the shade felt peaceful aid station gave me 3 blister Band-Aids and started turning down liquids after peeing 3 more times MILE 10  finally had permission to turn on the gas and burn through any remaining stored glycogen passed many stunned walkers 2:42:05 FINISH volunteer firmly embraced me as I processed the shock of what I had just accomplished 7:36:34 just a training day and I like the potential for improvement POST RACE  training plan continues to ramp up and I am headed toWHISTLER for the 140.6 in 4 weeks.