On Saturday I did the Bandit's Challenge Triathlon for the third time, and set a new PR by more than 11 minutes!

Finish time: 02:57:52
My previous best: 03:09:14

My swim was 2 minutes faster than last year, by bike was one minute faster, and I think my run was about 7 minutes faster. Can't say for sure because the timing chip system failed to record my T2 and run splits, but based on my other splits, it appears that my run split was probably about 8 minutes faster.

I felt really good during the run. I ran most of the really steep hill instead of walking it (as I had done in my previous two Bandit's appearances) and I pushed the run as hard as I could in the second lap.

Weather conditions were just about perfect: temps in the 60s at race start, very low humidity, and water temp about 80 degrees. That probably helped me quite a bit. Last year it was much hotter and much more humid.

One surprising result: Even on my Scott Plasma tri bike with a very nice borrowed wheel set (Zipp 404 on the front and Lew Racing rear wheel), I still did not beat my 2005 bike split, which I did on my Scott CR1 road bike with clip-on aero bars and Ksyrium wheels.

Over the weekend I attended the funeral of my Aunt Mary Evelyn. This marks the end of an era for me and my family, as her husband -- my Uncle Buddy -- passed away earlier this year.

When I was growing up, Uncle Buddy and Aunt Mary Evelyn were like a second set of parents to me and my brothers. In fact, I always assumed -- without sharing this thought with anyone -- that if my parents were to die while I was a child I would go live with my aunt and uncle.

Unfortunately Aunt Mary Evelyn's last years were darkened by Alzheimer's. The last time I saw her, which was at about this time last year, she did not recognize me. So our family views her passing as a sad event for those of us who are still living, but for her it means the end of her suffering and being reunited with her husband.

Rest in peace, Aunt Mary Evelyn. You made a significant impact on my life, and I will miss you.