Muncie Endurathon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swimming is for the birds. It's not like I haven't put in the time going open water swimming and doing the pool laps, so why can't this leg of the tri just get easier? Is there something seriously screwed up with me that I don't like being punched in the head, swam across, and having my feet constantly grabbed and pulled backward?

The chop was high, my wave (again) extremely crowded with the 25-34 year olds in one clusterfock of a combined wave start, and for the first 700 yards, I could find nary an armful of water without a body thrashing and a mouthful of water down my throat. I nearly threw in the proverbial towel and the baby and maybe kitchen sinks too. Sucks to your ass mar swim!

After you get out of the water, it's a long run uphill to transition before you hit the timing mat, so in all fairness, my swim time should've been 1:30 less, but whatever, so should everyone else's.

Jump on a jetski and plow through the sumbeetches.

Why exactly they took the signs off the ends of the bike racks showing the range of bib numbers on that rack is a question for the easter bunny, because at this point we were on a hunt for the bike.

Hey look, a bike ride -- something I can do! As prescribed, it was a flat course. Wide open and flat, perfect for the steady 15-25mph winds that brought in the ensuing storm, which hit with dread force the last 16 miles of the ride. I'll map it out quickly here: 15 miles of bliss and heaven on some smooth, completely closed roads. Then 15 miles of headwind on great roads, followed by 10 miles of crosswind with gusts, finished off with torrential downpours, thunder and lightning, and darkness. I did manage to spot the sunglasses I bought Alaina for her birthday a few years ago lying on the ground in the middle of the road. Even considered stopping to get them, finishing the bike, and then taking a nap in the car but realized how weak that was.

Saw Alaina coming the other way about halfway through and gave her a wave. She looked fast and happy as hell, which was pretty cool. I knew she was still in it for the win, for I only saw 2 other girls ahead of her, and the run is truly her strength.

Not miss my long bike ride training days, but it was unavoidable.

The run was the highlight of the race for me. Until the run, I was about as happy as my 2nd pet, Gimpy, the one-clawed, tail-less crayfish I stole from the neighborhood creek when I was 9, who lived unhappily in my algae covered fishtank for 2 days before finally giving up the ghost to the ill-fed tetra fish who picked his body apart for the next week to my endless interest.

After Kansas' run disappointment, plus this bike ride that I didn't quite nail, and a swim that lingered like week old sushi, I knew I had to throw down for the run or end up with a worse HIM than my first. I used the Garmin a ton to gauge my speed, toughening up whenever I slipped into 7:45+ and shutting down the brain. The rolling hills weren't too big, but consistent.

This is the first run where my IT had no issues, my knees felt great, and I never had any problems with my peroneal tendon. Muscle fatigue is the best pain I've ever felt because it doesn't feel like someone's taking a chisel and hammer to the knee, or foot, or whatever. The only thing limiting you is you. Great stuff.

Saw Alaina coming back the other way at my mile 6 with 2 motorcycle escorts and I told her "you're number ONE!!!!" High fives were had to the roar of nobody who lined the course, but, you know, there could've been...

More core work for next race. Form weakened around mile 8.

Considered the med tent. Considered the lobster. Considered going to bed.


My own training suckage from Kansas to this race.


Great mid-sized race that's well organized and I'd say well supported because there were still people out there cheering when the sky spewed the nastiness on everyone.