Season Opener

I know it has been a while since I last posted, but it’s season-opener time - time to get my ass back in gear.

I am sitting on my hotel bed the night before the first race of the year in Oxford, Ohio; and I have made the trip alone, which was unintended. When I first planned this race it was going to be a family affair, but the girls had to stay behind, because soccer was supposed to start on Saturday. Of course I got a call from Anna on my way down here and was told that soccer was canceled because the fields were too wet. That is typical luck.

After listening to the rain slap against my windows all night, I woke at 4:30 to a 48degree morning and the rain had stopped. Oddly, I was a little nervous even though it was only a sprint and my fitness is far past this distance. However, it was still first race of the year and my first tri since September. I had my normal race breakfast: a portion of a Cliff bar, a jar of banana baby food and a little sports drink.

Nice thing about a race at my alma mater is walking across campus to transition and not thinking about a Poli-Sci paper that is due.

I got a good spot on the bike rack and started to set up my transition area. The ritual of setting up a transition towel and my bike and running gear usually helps calm me down and settle in a little for the race, which it did for the moment.

The guy next to me was a newbie having a difficult time figuring out how to place his bike by hanging it by its saddle, so I lent him a helping hand and got his bike racked. The funny part is, the next thing I overheard was a conversation that this was his first tri ever, and then proceeds to say in a serious voice that he was going to win the race. Now I applaud the confidence but, not even a minute ago, he couldn’t rack his own bike. He may have been a little over zealous, but that’s what makes this fun.

I went through my normal stretching routines, took in everything and went inside for a warm up swim. I then realized my warm up was longer than the actually swim portion of the race, but it was tough to pass up a swim in a nice college pool.

It was time to race and I was in the third wave of racers. I was still a little nervous, but I think part of it was not knowing anyone in the crowd of over 1000 including spectators. My wave went off without any issue and my swim was underway, but I struggled for the first 200 meters. I had a lot going through my head and needed to settle down. After 200 meters I found my stroke and before I knew it the swim was over. I came out of the pool at about 7:40, and was already behind in my head.

As I ran outside to transition, I noticed it had been raining while I warmed up and it was now cold. I decided to throw on a long sleeve tech shirt to warm up on the bike and I was off, but it was a slow transition due to the extra clothing and wet skin.

The bike course was wet but great. It had some nice climbs and descents and I was having fun. I was definitely making time up. I was pushing and my legs were feeling great. I came back into town after about 13 miles in 37 minutes and felt much better.

Got through transition in about a minute and was off on the run. Within a quarter mile on the run I now felt great and was ready to run hard. When I got to turnaround (1.6miles) on the run, I knew I was moving well as it had only taken about 10 minutes, which gave me more energy to finish strong and enjoy a fast run through campus.

Ended up finishing in 1:08:52, which was about 2:30 minutes faster than last year and considering the weather, I was happy for the first race of the year. The time was good for 4th in my age group out of 50 and 16th out 550 overall.

Once again Miami held a good race and I was able to take swag home for the girls. I will be back next year, but for now it’s on to the more daunting task of the marathon next month.

PS. I have gotten in two 20 mile runs since my last post and things are starting to shape up.

P.P.S. from the Editor: In contrast to a 20-mile run, I benefited from a Bagel & Deli care package, for which I am eternally grateful. Wish we could have made the trip with him, however I did get the joy of hanging out at soccer practice on Friday in the blistering wind and helping take the Gold Butterflies in for their team pictures on Saturday in lieu of their Assistant Coach who was missed by one Butterfly in particular.