Pre Race Training and A Soggy Day

The logistics of the NYC triathlon are amazing. Mandatory race briefing and bike check in the day before, tons of moving around the city from place to place, lots of anxiety and pre-race jitters... you need some levity to break it up. That's what this video is. I call it "pre-race training and hopscotch".
SO much to say... where to begin. Great day albeit a very wet beginning. Just as we left the hotel at 4:30 am, the heavens opened up and soaked us and our gear. Luckily I had covered my bike yesterday in anticipation for the atmospheric event. The photo shows the covering but also shows the race gods were with me... I got an end spot, as delineated by my race number. Total score!
Mild rain to begin and then dry, with cloud cover, for the duraction. We were very fortunate as racing conditions become dangerous with rain. We did have to delay swim start by 20 minutes because of lightning but no big deal.
Results were terrific. My fastest NYC finish yet. Getting faster with age? Hmmmm. What a thought. 2:45 which was 12th out of 76 in my age. Missed top ten by 30 seconds but I gave it my all. My mantra for the day was "Don't leave anything on the table". I raced as hard as I could and am thrilled with my day.
Gosh, I LOVE THIS SPORT!!!!

8 Down, 42 To Go

The title might intimidate some folks but not me! The way I look at it, I have 16% of my goal completed. What a gorgeous day and what a great event. I didn't get a podium finish, although my friend Pamm placed 3rd in her age group. Slightly disappointed as I was getting pretty used to winning but the field was deep and FAST! I absolutely went the fastest I could and have no regrets with my efforts. Results are not posted yet but I am pretty sure I placed in the top 5. Norwalk CT was a lovely venue and as the race is very well established, it went off without a hitch. We got some great press on this one (newspapers and News12) so hopefully we get some donations to follow. LOTS of $5 and $10 donations is what we need. The microphone strapped to me during my set up was a little wierd. I told the camera man that I had to take it off to go to the bathroom... he understood. Lots of footage; should be interesting to see the final product when it is released tomorrow. Will try to post it for all to see, as it is broadcast in CT only. Mellow week ahead because the BIG SHOW is next weekend. New York City, Olympic distance, and all the Big Apple has to offer. But for now, it's time for some vanilla ice cream and an early night.

So Long (for now) to a GREAT Coach

I owe a tremendous amount of my athletic success to this guy. His name is Takao and he probably has no idea of the impact he has had on so many athletes. So let me take this opportunity to give him a big shout out and send off.

I have been part of a team (Team Total Training), based on Long Island NY, for about 3 years. But it was when I started working with Takao that things really started to click. From the time he video taped my swimming, right up until yesterday when he (again) corrected my swim stroke, my technique has continued to improve. I got the chance to take a couple of running clinics with him over the spring too and noticed a difference immediately.

Takao leaves to go home to Germany next week. His wife is due with their first child and heck, I don't blame him... he wants to be there. He is considering returning in the winter but right now, that feels like a long ways away. Best of luck to Takao and his family. But know this.... he has a lot of "family" right here in NY and I will certainly miss him.

Hills, Hills and More Hills

Just back from Ireland and boy oh boy, are my glut muscles sore! I live on the south shore of Long Island and it is very flat. It's the beach, after all. I frequently go up to Westchester to train and do some hill work. But it isn't with any consistency or very frequently. Having just been in Ireland for a week, with no access to a bicycle or water to swim, I committed to work my running discipline. I did three 10Ks while there and I am still feeling the effects of it. County Wexford is all hills.... long, winding hills.

For those of you unfamiliar with anatomy, the gluteal muscles are the part of your anatomy that you sit on. There are three of them (maximus, minimus, medius) and according to my anatomy books, my glut medius is the source of the grimace when I sit. I keep telling myself, it's all good. There is that "good pain" that comes from training, right?

Off for a 40 mile bike ride with my friend today. Pristine weather and a good route mapped out. It should be lovely.

Happy Independence Day to all!