Today was the test

I told myself, weather permitting that I was going to attempt to do a Olympic duathlon today. After all it was my day off. I got up first thing this morning and sure enough it was raining. Go figure! Oh well I got the recycling done. Then the weather cleared. I said it's now or never. I got my running gear on & off I went.
I hit my watch at 10:56 AM. The temp. was perfect, 70 degrees and damp. My run started out with a 5K. I didn't want to kill myself, so I told myself it was all about pace. I finished the first stage in 25:17, not fast but just as I planned. I jumped on the new bike and set out for 22.62 miles. The wind was very bad in the country. All I could do was build time when I was able. I completed the route in 1 hour 45 minutes and 5 seconds. My legs, as you can imagine, were very tight. I chugged down more sports drink & a food bar, grabbed another bottle, and off I went again. This time to finish the last part of my race. A 10k and I was done. Yes, that right, only 6.2 more miles. Just like a marathon, the last few miles are the hardest. Could I do it? I made sure that I had plenty of fluids....and yes, its all pace. That's what I keep telling myself.
With just a mile or so to go. I knew I was going to finish. I crossed the line and hit the stop watch. My finishing time was 2 hours, 43 minutes and 24 seconds. Yes, I had done it.
Wow, it's a different type of tired, I walked it off, then off to the shower I went. I finished the last leg in 58:18. not bad!
Yes I can do this thing coming up on 6/14/08. (Flag City Tri / Dua Multisport USA Celebration at Riverbend Park) The shower felt great. Long and cold for best results. I had burned 2263 calories and went over 32 miles. It's all about pace, now I wonder what time should I expect in a race situation?
Not 10 minutes out of the shower and the phone rang. My wife told me that she had signed me up to go swimming with my little girl & about 50 more kids......Oh My! Why today. LOL

The finish of a wonderful day & the rain is falling again.