Survival Of the Shawangunks - Triathlon

Awosting - when I first started swimming felt like I wasn't moving at all, then settled into an easy rhythm and just kept moving. Tried not to pay attention to the many people passing me. This lake is absolutely gorgeous. It's the deepest clearest swim and I enjoyed the light show of the morning rays shining through. Some light cramping toward the end but okay.

Minnewaska - holding up and loving the rope to follow the whole way. The exit is crazy here between the in-water rock shelf and rock stairs to start the run, we provide entertainment to the volunteers and spectators while we wobble out and regain footing.

Mohonk- over the fence rail and down the slipper slope. While the swim is shallower and water not as pristine as Awosting, seeing the mountain house and knowing the finish is coming is inspiring. After getting blown away by ~6 fellas in my age group in the last mile of the run, I was getting down by the never ending stream of folks passing me and started making promises to myself to really work on my swim problems. At the exit I was thrilled to hear "daddy!" from my troupe of monkeys. I didn't expect to see them till the finish...

Awosting - 42:12 127/158 - 2013 43:22 :-)
Minnewaska 25:05 129/158 - 2013 26:09 :-)
Mohonk 20:51 135/158 - 2013 23:08 :-)

Swim more, the usual.

Did fine. Mike and D were there and ready to roll. I did pretty good transitioning this year wasted little time. I needed all the seconds I could get with my run fitness at its worst.

I knew I was not going to do myself any favors pushing the bike. Hadn't ridden at all for the last month and a half. Got passed a lot early on due to being in an earlier wave. Got passed a lot on the climb as well.

Bike 1:51:59 103/158 - 2013 1:46:44 :-(

Be better trained. Nothing on race day.

To awosting- had the rubber legs for two miles, then settled in , maybe pushing too hard for the volume and no hill running lately.

To Minnewaska - felt okay and pushed a little harder.

To Mohonk - started out okay but was fading and getting ankle and shin paid half way through. Started losing steam and the wheels really fell off at Godzilla at mile 7. I got passed by maybe half dozen guys in my AG and some others and knew I'd never see them again with a swim coming.

To sky top - the kids wanted to do this together. At this point another minute wasn't going to kill my time.

To Awosting - 41:20 49/158 - 2013 39:14 :-(
To Minnewaska - 48:12 28/158 - 2013 46:34 :-(
To Mohonk - 1:17:55 73/158 - 2013 1:09:43 :-(
To Sky Top 7:26 103/158 - 2013 6:06 (who cares? did it with a six year old setting the pace this year...)

I knew I was going to suffer on these runs. Haven't been putting in enough volume and definitely not enough hills. I was kind of hoping I wouldn't lose so much and make it up in the swim, but I underestimated how much run fitness has been lost. Pushed the intensity on run 1 and 2, but the muscles and joints wouldn't support it on the long run, so left a lot out there.

Took some pictures and headed to the barbeque. Enjoyed a few cold ones with the family.


Another incredible day at an incredible race. If you tried to recreate something like this today, it would never happen. Can't wait to do it again (better trained).