Cranberry Sprint Race Report

So, yesterday was my first race of the year and first triathlon since I raced Kona last October.  It was also my first race in the 40-44 AG.  It was the Cranberry Sprint Triathlon.  I was using this as a tuneup for my half ironman next week in Lake George.  In some ways, I was more nervous for this race than the half.  Not just because it was my first race post surgery, but because you have to go so hard in a sprint (redline the whole way).  Also, I had no idea how fast I could run.  My running has been improving...but I'm very far off from my normal self.  Not to mention, I've barely done any hard running.  This race would represent my first sustained "hard" run of the year.  I was interested to see how my body would react.

For some reason, I hadn't been sleeping soundly this past week.  And Friday night was no exception...in fact, it was even worse.  But, I got up at 5am....got my stuff together...and drove down to Lakeville.  Upon arriving, I immediately saw my teammate, Kate (Blumberg) O'Malley.  It was nice, since I wasn't sure any other teammates were racing.  As I walked through to registration, I had to keep my ego in check.  I typically go to races like this with the mindset that I'm going to win (not that I always do....but that's how I approach it).  Although I seemed to still have the mindset....I wasn't sure the body was going to keep up with the mind on this day.  After registering, I got my bike and gear together and headed to transition.  I ran into another teammate, Rachel Saks-Aronis, who was positioned right next to me in transition.  Funny thing is that I was #1044, Rachel was #1045....and Jamie Strain was #1046, but Jamie didn't show.  While setting up transition, the race director made the announcement that it was a no-wetsuit swim.  Fortunately I brought my speedsuit.  When I signed up for this race, I registered as an age-grouper.  But, during the week leading into it, I was having second thoughts....and should have signed up for the elite/open division...which, in retrospect, I should have done. 

I was in the 5th wave (40+ men).  Our gun went off, and I went to the front.  I had a really good swim (although I had to navigate through the previous wave of 30+ women).  After a very, very short swim, I was first out of the water and into T1.  Man, what a shock to the system.  I usually run well out of the water....but my legs were dead.  I got on my bike and onto the bike course.  My shoes were already on my bike, so I started to get my feet in the shoes.  I should have looked at the course in advance and waited until the first big downhill to do this.  Anyway, I got my first foot in, but the strap came undone as I put my second foot in.  After fumbling a few seconds, I just rode with it undone.  Not ideal, but not catastrophic either.  Being in the 5th wave meant I had many people already on the course....many riding the yellow line.  I yelled "on your left" the entire ride.  Since it was a 2 loop course, going through the start of the second loop was really congested and I couldn't ride more than 12-14 mph.  After finishing the second loop, I headed into T2.  I had a much better second transition.  Out onto the run course.  I had no idea how this was going to go....so I dialed back a little and just tried to run hard.  I could tell I didn't have my normal legs....but I was still passing people and running relatively fast.  I thought going into this race that I could hold about 6 minute pace....and that's about what I did.  I ran the last mile or so pretty hard...and finished strong.  Since I was in the 5th wave, I wasn't sure where I finished overall.  I figured, after talking with a few people, that I was in the top 5.  I was 5th, but wound up 4th after a penalty was issued to one of the elite guys.  Oh, and I won the AG by 4-5 minutes.  I think I like being the 40+ guy kicking some young ass.

Mixed feelings about this race.  I definitely had some hiccups, which is to be expected.  But, I wish I would have raced elite so I could have been in the mix.  All in all, it was great to get back out there, even though I'm not anywhere near my top form.  I'm excited to race again next week. 

My Sports Hernia- Part III

When I woke up in the recovery room back in April, Dr. Busconi was there.  He told me that I probably wouldn't remember the conversation....but I did.  I asked him how things went.  He said "great".  They found a "hole" (tear) in the muscle (not just a thinning of the muscle which can also be the case) right away.  The procedure was relatively quick.  My immediate response was "awesome", does this mean I'll recover quicker!  A short time later, Jenn drove me home.  Having surgery in the pelvis/groin region makes sitting in a car difficult.  I immediately set up camp on the couch in our lower level family room, right next to the garage.  Jenn made sure I was comfortable.  A bit later, I felt good enough to walk the stairs to the kitchen to eat something.  But, as soon as I made it up and sat down, the "good feeling" went away.  As I made my way to the stairs to go retreat to the couch, the light faded away...next thing I knew I was on the floor....blacked out.  I was fine...but it freaked Jenn out nonetheless.  Fortunately I was not on the stairs at the time, or it could have been ugly.  Mind you, I was on some heavy painkillers.  I spent the next few days recovering on the couch.  I was only on the painkillers for about 1.5 days (I have no idea how people become addicted to Oxycondon....it's awful).  By day 3 I was fairly mobile.  We had friends staying with us for the marathon...and I really had no choice but to get around a bit.  I even made it down to the hills in Newton to watch the race w/my teammates from the Boston Triathlon Team. 

The recovery protocol from my surgery is 2 months of nothing....no lifting of any kind for about 6 weeks or so, since the repaired area is so affected by it.  This is almost unavoidable.  I mean seriously, I'm not even supposed to lift groceries.  I tried to follow my recovery protocol....but I definitely went beyond what I should have been doing....several times.  In retrospect, I'm glad I waited to have this surgery (rather than have it in the winter).  With Jenn traveling so much, I would have been screwed with all the snow we had.  Anyway, I will say that in some ways, it was nice to have a forced break from training.  I mean, I wasn't allowed to do anything.  It was liberating...not feeling guilty for not riding, running and swimming.  But, at the same time, it made me want to do it more....ignited the fire....which had dimmed a bit.  After 2 months of relatively nothing....I was to begin PT.  So, I set up an appointment with Alex of Marathon Physical Therapy....a friend of mine....but who also has an office within throwing distance of mine.  I never thought I'd be so excited to start physical therapy!  (to be continued)

My A Race

Okay, so I'm back training.  I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to race this season at all.....but I have signed up for a couple of races.  I told myself that I wouldn't race unless I could be respectable on the run.  Whether I am respectable or not...that's still up for debate.  I still have much work to do.  I'm up to 10 miles....in the mid 7s.  I need a couple more long run....and some quality runs.  Why long runs?  Oh....because I signed up for a half ironman on Labor Day!  I'm doing the Big George Half in Lake George.  I just needed something to work towards.  I'm also signed up for the Cranberry Sprint the week before.  My ego expects me to do pretty well at the half.....but my head is trying to lower my expectations.  I guess we'll see who wins this battle of wills:)  One month to go!

My Sports Hernia- Part II

Once I had my surgery scheduled, I tried to put it out of mind.  The last thing I wanted to do was "think" about surgery.  So, I went about my business.  Although I wasn't really training, I tried to get in the pool occasionally, and I definitely tried to stay on the bike.  For me, I definitely wasn't in "good shape", but I wasn't in bad shape either.  As April 14th approached, I started to search the internet again for information on the surgery and recovery.  I stumbled upon a blog post by a local guy (with the same last name) who had the same surgery by the same doctors.  Since I had some questions, I emailed him.  He emailed me back and we set up a phone call....the night before the surgery.  As much as I was afraid of what he was going to tell me, it was a good conversation and I am very appreciative that he took the time to talk.

So, the actual procedure is called a Pelvic Floor Repair....it doesn't involve mesh, like most people ask.  It involves reattaching the muscle and then letting it heal.  On the morning of the surgery, I followed all of the pre-surgery protocols.  No food, only one cup of black coffee.  Jenn drove me to the UMass Hospital in Worcester.  I sat down in the waiting room.  "Patrick".  Oh shit....that was fast.  No time to even sit down. They brought me back to prep me for surgery.  Since I was going to be back there for a while, I had Jenn come back with me.  I had multiple people come by....nurses, doctors, anesthesiologist.  Nothing like using the bathroom with an IV drip attached to your arm.  This was actually when I really started to think about what was ahead.  I was kind of "in the dark" about the procedure, recovery, etc.  Dr. Busconi came by and chatted a bit....cracked some jokes.  Then Dr. Litwin came by.  I finally know what people mean by "bedside manner" of a doctor.  I liked him a lot more after this visit.  He was just very calming and reassuring....which was what I needed.  Jenn kissed me goodbye, then they finally brought me back to the operating room.  At this point, the anesthesia was really kicking in...I was barely aware.  I remember seeing a bunch of people......then I woke up in the recovery room....(to be continued)