This was the first race I signed up for this year! Just weeks before my world fell apart. Things have woven themselves together (albeit a different kind of weave), so I was somehow ready for this race. I was originally signed up to do the Oly, but dropped to sprint knowing that it would imperitive that I be somewhat competitive in order to keep some sort of edge for the rest of my season. Whatever, that is all relative!
The night before the race I went to Buffalo for packet pick-up at Golds Gym. It was pretty (fairly) busy in there and I was in a funk...so the people seemed a bit on edge to me....but we will blame my mood, not their insincerity! Got the packet, checked my number and chip...and boy was I happy when I opened up my goodie bag. Best race shirt (only a 't', not a tech-T) design ever...no sponsors all over it, just simple cool design...front logo smaller and back logo larger...cool shirt! Also, an aluminum water bottle, a visor (which I don't ever wear, nor will I, but still cool), a few coupons for baked goods and Golds Gym, and some other neat little thing-a-mabobbers. Anyway...I heard this was a good race and well put together, and so far it has met the expectations, granted they were low at the moment regardless! Went out to eat some pasta and pizza with IZ at Angenos....Mmmmmmmm, that was good stuff. And good company is never a bad thing. Had to head home after that to get all my race stuff organized and make a checklist for the race....preperation is essential for triathletes, you really have to be somewhat organized and on top of things.
Got to sleep at a decent time, van was packed with everything but my Tri suit, wind pants (no, not parachute pants), and a Hoodie. Knowing that this was a big race and that I didn't go out until wave 17, and that there was 3 minutes between waves...race start was 9....my race start was more like 9:45...so I didn't 'rush' to get anywhere too early that morning. Hurry up and wait mentality does not work for me, so I relaxed and took my time, cause I could.
It was a moderately chilly morning! 49 degrees when I woke up, and they called for a high of only around 60 for the day. Dark, high clouds loomed over the cities and a slight drizzle made everything feel a bit damp. The saving grace to a cold air temp was it made the 55 degree water a little easier to stomach. I had to park far away from the transition area, the drawback of taking my time...and the fact that I probably wouldn't get a great transition spot, but I did...and found a spot amongst some rookies and some very seasoned triathletes. That made for good conversation for sure. So, I got my bike set up, laid out my towel, mixed up some cocktails (endurance powders and the what not) for the bike and started going through the transition motions in my head. I was in no hurry to do anything this morning...just laid back and relaxed. I usually like to wait til the last minute to do something, just to light that racing fire under my own A$$...thats just how I role I guess.
headed down to the water to see which wave they were on...found out I was about 9 minutes out...so i ran back up to the transition area and unloaded my running coat and my compression sandals (Crocs are fun). Headed back down to the water...slammed a GEL on the way and headed into the the holding grid for my wave...but it wasn't my wave at all...my wave, apparently, was already in the water and about 30 seconds away fro the swim...turns out they got a little ahead of themselves...this was the last second fire that would now go under my A$$!!!
Off we went, just a quarter mile swim. Still looked long,it was in a circular type set-up. I kind of liked that once it was done, but it looked more brutal from shore. I still hate swimming the right way (whatever that is) so i just pump my sidestroke and save energy for my bike. So enough about the swim, it went well and when I got out of the water, I felt good too...off to the bike.
Wetsuit was mostly off by the time I got to T1, just had to yank it off the ankles and start switching inot bike format (captain obvious here). Man that air was cold! Alot of people were heading out on the bike with sweatshirts on, long pants and biking coats...!!!??? I think thats crazy, but that is just me. I stuck with my Tri suit NO socks (my only mistake) and my helmet. Good to go. The run out of transition with the bike was long and twisty, seemed to make for a long transition, but what can you do...everyone had to do the same thing. So out to the open roads of Buffalo...up the hill and around the corner, through town and out to the county roads. This was a loop style bike course, not an out and back...I liked it this way better. out and back always messes with my head a bit (halfway there...oh great). The ride was cold at first, but I warmed up fast. The roads were damp from the morning mist that was in the air, but there was plenty of grip, it was just fine. i was passing alot of people...being in wave 17 means there are alot of people in front of you at any given time. You really have no clue where you are at in the standings, so you just go. About hlfway through the bike i noticed a Team In Training jersey heading up a hill. I yelled, as I went by, "Go Team!"....he looked at me and said "Hey Sean!"...It was Reggie, one of my buddies. we continued to pass each other back and forth throughout the bike leg of the race, little repectable competion I presume. the bike was nearing the end as we wound around the lake and back into town...it was a good course, rather hilly but the last 3 miles were smooth and one more hill climb to the bike finish.
I got off my bike and started 'running' to the transition area. I seriously could not feel my feet...from the balls of my foot to the toes, completely numb. I started changing out to running, bike racked, helmet off, shoes off...uh-oh...getting running shoes on when you can't feel your feet is quite a chore. Somehow i got my 'dead' feet into my racing shoes and off to the run. Oh boy, this was gonna suck. mile one went by fast, but I know my pace was way too slow (for me anyway). I tried to kick it up a notch before the turnaround, but the non feeling in my feet ddi nothelp my efficency in my stride. Finally just afeter the turnaround my toes started to tingle their way back to life, but with a short 3 mile run I just couldn't make up the time I was hoping for. I hammered the best i could and the finish came on pretty quick as we ran through the park to the crowd at the finish. It was over, my day was now complete.
It was a good race!
http://www.brightroom.com/view_event_photos.asp?EVENTID=47423&PWD=
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