Looping the loop

Mary completes the first loop of the bike course in 3:59:03, which is right on her predicted time of four hours. Like all the Team Z athletes she received a huge cheer and was smiling and waving to everyone. The goal on this first loop is to be super-conservative, maintaining a low heart rate and keeping as much in reserve as you can for the deepening fatigue of the second part of the bike ride (and, of course, the run.

Martine saw one woman pulled from the swim and we saw another marked up athlete walking around well before anyone would have finished. One pro apparently crashed out on the course, but I only witnessed a couple of dropped chains and two near wipeouts into the barrier.

Everyone we know seems to be having a good day so far. It has heated up quite a bit and although there is a gusty wind on occasion the weather conditions could be a lot worse.

Mark