Tri another Tri the Wildwoods

This is one of my favorite races every year and it all starts with the Race Director Stephen Del Monte of Delmo Sports.  I have been fortunate enough to do around 10 races a year the last few years, and his are always the best.  You get good SWAG, great communication leading into the race(video updates, not just email), great courses, and unbelievable race support....everything a participant could ever want.

Tri the Wildwood is also on my "home" summer course.  I have been going to Wildwood in the summer since I was born, so its like a second hometown.  Plus my mom and dad now live just outside Wildwood, so its FREE to stay for the weekend---BONUS!!  This was by far my SLOWEST race at Wildwood, but no less fantastic due to the course, athletes, and location.

The race:  1:13.58
Swim: 13:38
T1:  3:24
Bike:  30:28
T2:  1:35
Run:  24:52

91st of 869...terrible place for me, but I finished safe and with a smile on my face.

I always arrive early at Wildwood as I want to park on the beach block.  Also, the racking for your bike is first come first serve, and with many first timers competing, I want to make sure I get an accessible location.  Set up was easy, ran into some tri friends, and headed to the swim start.

I know it has been a tough long year for me, and I was heavier this season then any other season, but as I stood at the start, I was soaking in the sights and feeling very lucky to just be there.  The swim start is a rolling start, no waves, just go when ready.  While I was waiting to go, I went to pull up my wet suit and SNAP, there went the zipper.  Proved how heavy I was this season, the zipper just couldn't hold any longer.  It was too late to take it off, so I went in with a flapping back to a wet suit, basically like swimming with a parachute on.  I love the ocean swim, you bob up and down with the waves, but the "parachute" was slowing me down.  There are plenty of lifeguards in the water with Jet Ski's, paddle boards, surf boards, and boats.  I always feel safe at the Delmo event swims.  Made it out of the swim safely...no JAWS sighting, so a double bonus.

The bike course was different this year, you would head straight out of North Wildwood, perfect to get in aero and go for speed.  The problem for me was lugging around extra weight..DOH.  The new bike course was awesome...5 miles out and 5 miles back...only 2 bridges in each direction, so 4 hills that are short and steep.  The bike is a little congested but not real bad as long as you are paying attention.  

The run is a great beach run, down by the ocean, so its packed sand and not overly difficult.  The toughest part is the little soft sand getting to the hard sand, but it is not that soft or long.  Once you make the turn to the boardwalk, it gets even better.  The run North along the boardwalk, through Morey's Piers with all the rides, is fantastic.  It is also great for me because my kids go on all those rides.  The boardwalk has lots of people out for walks or riding bikes, so you get lots of looks...like they had no idea there is a race going on.  I always have a blast at Wildwood.  After the race you get access to the food tent, with a full breakfast buffet, with plenty of Bacon!  Instant race results as well.  Can't beat it.