Timberman; and only 6 weeks to go!

Last weekend was the Timberman 70.3. I've done this race 6 times...with mixed success and failure. After my first Tman back in 2003, where I finished off the podium, I've gone 3rd (2004), 5th (2005), raced elite (2007), and 3rd (2008) in my age group. However, I've either had a good swim and bike or a good run, or a mix, but never a solid 1-2-3 race. I was hoping to change that this year. On race morning, I definitely wasn't feeling great. My stomach was a bit out of sorts and I made several trips to the bathroom. In fact, I really needed to use it right before my swim start, but that wasn't going to happen with a huge line of people and only 4 minutes to go! So, the gun went off and so did I. I got a good start and was one of the first swimmers to get to the first buoy. Although I felt very good and felt like I had a strong swim, in retrospect, it's easy to see that I'm just not in good swimming shape. I came in around 29:30. But, many people who I can typically swim with and/or beat swam 45-60 seconds faster than me. Oh well. As I got on the bike, I decided to be very conservative early, so I had something on the way back. I went back and forth with some guys in the beginning. I felt decent on the bike. Around 11 miles in, the eventual AG winner, Chris Thomas came blowing past me. It's a bit disheartening when a guy who starts in the wave behind (they split up the AG) catches up so fast! But, it wasn't entirely unexpected since he did the same thing to me earlier this season at Rhode Island 70.3. A couple other guys in my AG went by me after that. That's when I made the call to dig a little harder and stay with them (legally of course). I sat about 3 bike lengths back and paced. Doing this and staying "legal" is not all that easy. It's easy to drift into the draft zone. I definitely did this a couple times and wound up having to sit up in the bars. On the way back (it's an out and back course), I was basically riding w/3 other guys....again I think we were doing our best to stay "legal". But, the headwinds made this difficult at times and there was definitely some "bunching up". In hindsight, I should have pushed a little harder. I definitely left some minutes out on the bike course. But, I definitely felt like I had good legs going into T2. I had an uneventful transition...and then out onto the run course. BTT had the team tent set up right on the run course and it was good to hear the cheering. However, when I'm racing, I'm usually hurting so bad, I don't even like to spend the energy to acknowledge! A couple of the pros were heading out on their second loop of the run, while I was heading out on my first. But, I was one of the few age groupers out on the run course at this point of the race (w/so many waves starting later). I quickly passed pro Bjorn Andersson. But, at the first mile, I was really struggling and my stomach was a mess (see swim start:)). So, I stopped at the first portojohn and conducted some business. After about 90 seconds, I was back on the course and felt a lot better. I was running fairly well and quickly passed Bjorn again, along with some age groupers from an earlier wave. Just before the first turn around I heard some footsteps. It was the second place male (some guy I've never heard of). I picked up my pace a bit. I think he was surprised that he didn't just go by me. He eventually inched up and passed me. I stuck right on his shoulder. Again, I think this surprised him. I basically ran the next 2.5 miles with him before he put about 25 meters on me. The first loop was okay (except the last mile). But, the second loop killed me. I struggled more here than I have in recent memory in a 70.3 race. I've done hotter races....but maybe it was just the humidity. Or, maybe it was just that I wasn't expecting it. Anyway, I walked most of the aid stations. By the time I hit the last turnaround, I just wanted the race to be over with. Aside from the heat and humidity, with all of the sloshing going on in my shoes, my feet were really torn up. I crossed the finish line in just over 4:30 (about 5-8 minutes slower than I wanted or expected), but still good for 14th amateur overall and 3rd in my AG). Although I don't plan to do this race next year, with Lake Placid on my schedule, I will be back at some point to conquer that course.

Post Tman has been okay. I've been struggling with energy all week. I'm hoping it's just post race related fatigue and perhaps a bit of dehydration. But, i'm a little concerned about it. I'm also really concerned that I only have a few more weeks of hard training left. I'm just feeling very underprepared. I left work early yesterday (Friday, 8/28) to get my long ride in.....but only managed 63 miles due to the weather (TS...or is it hurricane? Danny). And, to be honest, I just wasn't "feeling" the ride yesterday. So, today is a long run in the rain. And, tomorrow I'm going to try to ride long again. I kind of feel like I have to take a test....but I haven't been to class all semester!

My Trip to NJ Shore...and the 555.

This past week I made the pilgrimage back home to Cape May, New Jersey to visit family and freinds. I did get some training in during my trip, including a 100 mile solo ride. Even though I prefer to ride with others, I really do like doing a few solo rides. It makes you mentally tougher. The highlight of my trip was the 555. I know, I know...what the heck is the 555? My buddies Chad and Terry came up with a unique benefit (race) consisting of a 5 mile ocean swim, 5 mile beach cruiser bike, and a 5 mile run. It's to raise awareness (and some $$$) for cancer, and in memorium of Terry's mom and step father who both lost their lives to the disease. It was a true grass roots event. Only 20 or so people competed (all invited). Most were Cape May locals and/or lifeguards (or in my case, ex-lifeguard). It was a ton of fun.

Now that I'm back in Massachusetts, I'm trying to figure out how to kick start my training. I feel like I keep getting derailed. Today I woke up with shooting pain in my back and neck. Unfortunately, this prevented me from swimming. Hopefully, I'll be able to get on the trainer tomorrow and be able to run in the evening. Sometimes it's an effort to just get out the door!