RACING BREAKDOWN

OH man, Im pumped!!!

Yes, I get enthusiastic when you put in the work day in and day out and it comes out on race day. 

Having a 40 hour week job, that I love, a woman that I love, and her 2 kids, that I love, is not an excuse if its something I want bad enough and a goal I want to reach. 

If you have a dream or goal, you can NOT have excuses and you have to make sure your loved ones support you. 

Sunday was my 7th race of the year. It was an Olympic Triathlon (1500m Swim, 25mi Bike, 10k Run). Jen and I started our journey Saturday around noon. We drove to the race which was a little under 3 hours from us. It was in a beautiful State park that we want to go back and camp there. So beautiful!

Anyway, an hour in to the drive, I realized I forgot my wetsuit at the house. I tweeted to the race director to see if the race would be wetsuit legal (water temps of 77degrees or colder) and sure enough- he responded yes. That was not good. Wearing a wetsuit is not so much for chilly temps but rather to make you swim faster. Alot faster. It keeps you buoyant so you use less energy. Also, it slices through the water better than your racing kit. 

But, we couldn't do anything about it so we cranked up the radio again and jammed to John Denver! :)

We arrived to the hotel, unpacked, and realized- I forgot our Toiletry bag. Jen is learning that I am pretty bad at forgetting stuff. So we went to Walmart and loaded up!

Anyway, after all that- we went to the race site, took in the views and then ate dinner at a great pasta joint. I also had my ritual Beer before a race and she did too :)

Race Day:

Woke up at 6.10am, left at 6.30, arrived at Transition at 7am. Got ready and raced at 8am. I of course had coffee. A race day must.

Swim:
    I was shivering, I always do  but the lack of wetsuit enhanced the chills. I looked at Jen and she was laughing at me.. Apparently, I was the only one without a wetsuit in the elite field. Anyway, horn blew and we were off. 3 guys sprinted out of the gates and then there was me and another guy. While I expect to be top 3 out of the water, this race- i didnt knowing they had the advantage with the wetsuits. So, I told myself- just swim as and get that out of my head.
The 3 guys swam the whole time together drafting off each other. It would have been nice to be with that group but I was not. I was 2min back by myself in 4th out of the water.

I did have a super fast transition since I did not have to bother taking off the wetsuit.

Bike:
   Passed 3rd place within the 1st mile of the 25mile loop. Then it was just me and the farmlands. Such a beautiful ride. No cars and just amazing scenery. It was really windy from mile 11-20 though. That was one long stretch into the wind.
In races, I always think Im lost on the bike. When you do not see anyone for miles, it really plays with your mind. But once I saw the 20mi marker, I knew I was close and mentally got prepped again. I biked the last 5miles very well.

My split average:
10mi - 23.0mph
10mi - 21.9mph
4.8mi - 23.2mph

Run:
   Coming in off the bike, I saw that 1st place was too far and 2nd place was close to 3min ahead of me. So once I started the run, I also saw no one was close to me from behind so the race was for me to catch 2nd. Plain and simple.
It was a 2x out and back 5k course (10k total). The first turn, I saw him struggling. The u-turn, at mile 2, I saw I was only 45sec back. I then caught up him at the 5k mark. Mentally, I told myself- do not let up. HE still my have an extra gear. In the end, I prevailed.

I took home 2nd place to add to a year worth remembering. 6 out of 7 races I have finished top 3 overall this year with the other one being a 6th.

I am so very happy!!

Next up- One week of fun exercising, then back at it for the 2nd half of the year.

I can not wait.

G

A nice shot of Kerr Lake

This was the only traffic on the bike course.

Coming out of the water

Saw a teammate at the race...

Before the race, I was jacked up on Coffee!

Before the race.

CROSSFIT AND RUNNERS AND TRIATHLETES AND EVERYONE ELSE

    My simple viewpoint to all this madness going on out there with Cross-fit Haters/Bashers and Cross-fitters defending themselves IS THIS:

    If you are exercising and improving your health and want to preach it to the world then do it. Your happy and want everyone to know it. Let the ones complaining "de-friend or unfollow" you.

    Runners, Cyclists, Swimmers, Gym lifters, Cross-fitters, Jumping Jackers, Rowers, Tree Climbers, and any other Fit fanatic out there- its your choice on what route to go down but as long as you choose a healthy one instead of the Couch potato your flippin awesome and your trying!! Thats what matters.

    Please my friends, its not the end of the world if someone posts on social media about their workout. I'm pretty sure there are much more stuff going on in the world that is worse than that.

    And yes, Im a Triathlete. But my brother is a Crossfit Coach while serving our country and I respect what he does day in and day out. A little respect goes along way.

Peace- time to go bike and run ;)

G