Big Kahuna HIM (Readers Digest Version) Race Report - Course and HIM PR!
Not gonna write up a long race report. But here is the Readers Digest version:
HIM Done! Water was 56 to 58 but not bad, bike was cool in upper-50's with NorCal coastal (very light) drizzle out and back on Pacific Coast Highway (HWY 1) and run was low 60's along the bluffs overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, CA. My perfect day for racing.
I left right after the race and was getting conflicting feedback via text from friends at awards ceremony. Just saw the official results posted. I ended 3rd place in Clydesdale (not AG - disregard my Tweet). Tiki trophy pic below.
Nice 27:57 swim, rode at .864 IF with VI of 1.03, 221 TSS (a bit high) and had a good run but fading the last two miles giving it everything I had channeling Trent (WTGU?) and ended up with an overall course PR of 27+ minutes and 7 minute HIM PR! I am not Mancona fast, but I was fast for this old dude! 
As usual when I push that hard at an event, I cried for a few minutes after. That's how I know I left it all out there. Completely spent, nothing left and emotional. That's just me.
I nailed my nutrition and had an awesome day all with WTGU on forearm (see below) and left calf chanelling to Trent the whole way! Thanks for everyone's support getting me back to HIM fitness after coming back in June! Now its time to be a simple gym rat for a couple of months!
John
P.S. My wife raced her Olympic Distance tri in Monterey, CA (Pacific Grove) next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Saturday and she was AG 8! Her highest ranking ever. It was a great weekend for Team Stark!
Comments
Big K was my first HIM, so it holds a special place in my heart.
You and Cheryl both crushed it! Congratulations!
How did you like finishing on the sand? I could have skipped that. Almost fell over a few times, feet got nailed by a wave and the shoes got wet.
Awesome job!
Vince
What a triumphant Race Report! So good to see you back in the groove after such a tumult-filled year.
Regarding the tears post-race: me too. I've thought a bit about it and what I've come up with is this: racing is hard; I have to be hard on myself to excel, a real change from my usual stance of gentle self-love. The weeping is a release of sorrow and forgiveness.
Reader's Digest reply: COOL TIKI!
Congratulations John on your pr!! sounded like a fun race...oh and the tiki is better'n a dog tag
Mike
John,
Great race and excellent job on the course and overall PR. Nice job coming back. Are you planning to do the Nov OS, I'm looking forward to pushing it with the big boys again?
Gordon