Ironman events continue to get larger every year and this
year's IM Florida is no exception with 3,068 entries. And Comp Racing would
make their presence known on the course and in the post-race sands. Capt
P (Patrick Smith) and Capt Kid Kosmo (Dave Boyle), and Sunny-D (Denise Murphy)
and Ironmom (Heather Mackesy) made the trip to Panama City Florida flying on
the heels of Hurricane Sandy and ended with all 4 thru the finish within that
magical mark of 16:59:59. The day had a morning forecast of 95%
humidity and in the 60s that had everything wet, and an afternoon that would be
all sun and 86 degree temp that baked the racers. The seas were choppy
and 12,000 arms and legs just added to the churning. Rolling seas made
sighting a challenge and added to the body contact with zig-zag swimmers. But
all the Comp swimmers would prevail. On
the bike the temps soared, the sun roared, and the long straight mirage roads
strained the eyes. This year’s bike
course was changed to add another 500-ft of elevation for 1,000ft total to this
otherwise flat rolling ride. Winds from
the southwest would make the final 25 mi return tough and grueling. Capt P would lead Comp in with a 22mph 112mi
ride, followed by Sunny-D, Capt Kosmo and Ironmom, all easily making the cut
off to the run. On the run, the sun was
baking, and the long hot ride had many dehydrated by the start. Relief from the heat came in the form of many
sponges tucked into jerseys and hats, and ice into places wherever necessary. Capt P soared across the finish with kisses
to the crowd and a high five to the finish arch in 11:01. Sunny-D with a super run and steady all the
way, beat her goal with a 14:36 across the line. Capt Kosmo with a heavily bandaged ankle from
a sprain just weeks earlier kept it going with the positive encouragement from
Ironmom as they both crossed together, hand-in-hand, smile-to-smile, in
16:46. Comp Racers, “You are all Ironman”,
Huge Congrats on a long training season.
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