This is post-triathlon Monday for the Baumers of Old Orchard Beach (our temporary residence for at least one more day). I’m waking up pretty sore, especially in my quads and calves. Mrs. B is still asleep. I’m not going to wake her because she’s earned the right to sleep-in today.

My wife Mary—the reason that I do these crazy, swim, bike, run successions—shaved 22 minutes off her previous Olympic-length triathlon results, back in 2012, the last time she competed in that particular length race. Last year she tackled the half and the year before that, we were Team Baumer, completing that year’s Rev3 as a family unit of me, Mary, and Mark. I was also weeks from a collapsed lung.

Miss Mary was up to the Challenge (Maine).

The Rev3 is no longer. The OOB triathlon is now the domain of Challenge Family. Not to worry that the change might not be a positive one. The Challenge Family crew were amazing and this year’s triathlon was just as well-run as the previous Rev3 races were. Plus, being in Old Orchard and having one of the best beaches on the east coast isn’t hard to take. It also makes for a nice pre and post-race vibe and experience.

Did you get your timing chip?

I’m not thrilled about my times in two of the three elements of my tri. I lost time on the bike and in the run. I am happy, however that I knocked more than 4 minutes off my swim. For someone that didn’t think he could ever swim well enough to complete a short, sprint-length triathlon, ocean waves and seaweed are no big deal any longer.

Mary says I “bonked” on the run. What she means is that I didn’t refuel with something between the start of the swim and during my bike ride. I probably should have had some sports gel, or even a peanut butter & jelly sandwich jammed into my bag to munch while riding my 25 miles. Being new to paleo, I thought having a few carbs might do me in.

I’m not positive my issues were nutritional. I didn’t feel particularly strong on the bike. Then, the lack of training mileage due to my right knee issues and full slate of umpiring came back to bite me in the “you know what.”

With about 2 miles left on the return part of run course, I had to stop and stretch and then walk out a cramp. A runner passed me as she was going out. All she said was, “if it was easy, then everyone would be doing it.” I had to concur. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d be one of those people competing in one triathlon—let alone that I’ve been doing the swim, bike, run thing for the past three years.

I’ve wanted to do another Olympic-length triathlon after last year and I did it. I’m thinking that 2016 will find me tackling another sprint-length tri in the spring and then, maybe competing in the Aqua Bike course at next summer’s #ChallengeMaine. That’s “just” a swim and a bike—no run.

Oh, and back to Miss Mary. She came in first in the SheJAMs Challenge OOB segment for her age class. I’m thrilled for her. She’s a great motivator, and works hard—she’s also had to push through some physical issues to compete—so it was nice to see her on the podium being recognized for her efforts.

And the winner is–Mary Baumer!

We did it–another race in the books!