War at the Shore 2014

First, I'm so impressed with the number of TriDevils that took home hardware at this race.  Amazing group of athletes. Further, everyone I know on the team is so friendly..   that said, this coming from a guy who never swam and would rather be in the gym a few years ago, so appreciate being part of a team that is devoted to improving and helping each other.  

As for the race, I did the long course, which for the swim was extremely short, but very enjoyable. Flat and with the current but out in way less than 10 minutes.  Lesson learned after the race from my swim coach Rebecca is to judge the current while standing on the beach to gauge your aim at the buoys (given the southwest current, I should have aimed slightly east of the buoys and not directly at the buoys).  Kudos to Rebecca for being the first women in the race out of the water, and second women after T-1 (go Mo!)

The two loop bike course was flat and fast, at least one way with the wind.  Also note, someone should check Derek's bike to see if it has a 440 six pack hemi (for those of you old enough to appreciate it) as I think his average bike speed was faster than many of my cars.  And speaking of bike speed, was that a Ferrari or just Mo that passed me too?

The flat and fast run was okay, and enjoyed extra challenge on the boardwalk.  Felt like I was in a NJ version of the video game frogger trying to dodge the bennies.  Maybe we should be given extra points for putting a shoulder down and hitting a bennie like a football blocking sled. 

Lastly, great local race and enjoyed seeing all the Tri Devils do so well.   
John Shipley
 

RACE REPORT: NJRC Long Branch Ocean Mile Swim

Today, July 13…

Neptune was mad, very mad today.  Showing-up at the parking lot in Pier Village, I knew I would have a battle on my hands… I kept my GO-camera on so this harrowing story could be told with pictures…

 

Given most elite swimmers had difficulties at the start in what felt like a washing machine (that’s Brian Shea in the pic below), I was relieved after passing the first buoy and thought the trouble was behind me...

With the extremely strong current taking the few remaining swimmers (only the tough NJ Tri Devils remaining) being pulled into the gulf stream, I came upon a cruise ship that was capsized…

Yes, it was the infamous Poseidon Adventure.. After pulling Earnest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, and Red Buttons to safety (I left Gene Hackman under water), I was off to the third buoy.  I thought my troubles were over when I saw him..  yes, Jaws was after a fellow Tri-Devil! 

 

I rode the infamous Jaws under water with THREE barrels in tow. 

After having a few beers with Capt. Quint, I stuffed a fire extinguisher in Jaws’ mouth and was back on my way..

Headed back into shore and my heroics were rewarded when I came upon a mermaid named Madison…

Another great day at the Jersey Shore…