Pinehurst Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

So I showed up to a race a little late and spent most of my time either getting my crap together, or waiting in line to get one thing or another. I was having such a good time talking with everyone that I never really got into the water to warm up. I'm kind of glad that I didn't - I hadn't swam since the Duke Half relay 3 weeks ago.

Normally the plan is to start at a med-fast pace for the first 200m. This time it was to not freak out, go easy as if I were doing a warmup for a swim workout. Which is pretty much how I treated this whole race - like a long brick workout. Didn't have the fitness to hang with the big boys.

I enjoyed the heck out of the swim. Form stayed with me the entire time and because I was going so easy, I felt great. The wetsuit kept me floating nicely so I saved the legs for the hell that was to come (that's called foreshadowing). The water felt absolutely wonderful and for a lake, I was amazed at how clean and clear the water was. Absolutely beautiful. A couple of times, I checked my time on my watch underwater.

Only did one dumb ass thing during the swim. Late in the swim, I felt like there was snot on my face. So, I didn't want to have the photographers grab a pic of a snotty me, so I try to wipe off my face midstroke. I'm dopey though and I hit my left goggle hard enough that it fills up with water. So I flip over on my back and kick while I clear that and get back over to swim.



Have you guys seen that music video of those 4 guys doing some funky treadmill video/dance. Well, I couldn't get that freaking song out of my head for the entire swim.

Slow T1. Put on a long sleeve T shirt and some cycling gloves. I was not going to be miserable cold for my last tri of the season!!! Forgot to put my helmet on, but remembered halfway out of the t-area. I should have put on socks in T1 too, but once again - I'm kind of dopey.

LOL!

This segment of the race was cold, wet, hilly, and miserable. But that didn't stop me from singing that damn treadmill song again. Dodged a dog coming out of T1 after the dismount line. It was a fun, but hard ride. I wasn't prepared, but I had a blast.

I seemed to be either climbing or descending. The course was practically out and back with a little loop at the one end. So of course it was 75% uphill and 25% downhill. That's how all of them feel.

Got passed by hordes of people. There were a couple that knew me and said kind words to me. I remember Nick passing me and Dominick (the guy who drove me down to Pinehurst and who I roomed with). I think there was someone else out there, but I can't remember....because...that's right...I'm dopey.

No race wheels this time either. The disc has a leaky valve and I'm not paying another 75 to 100 bucks to replace it until next year.

LOL!

Ok T2. I couldn't feel my toes, so I was really slow getting my socks on.

Meh....it was ok. Nothing spectacular. No dopiness here simply because I couldn't feel my feet.

LOL. No problem keeping cool. Actually, I can't complain. 51 degrees was perfect for the run. I never felt overheated and actually started sweating late in the run.

The first mile felt great. The last 5.2 hurt. Didn't walk once, and I can't figure out why. I had Nick pacing me for the first 3 miles until I lost sight of him.

Mile 4 was straight out of hell. Beezelbub himself cheered for me at mile 4.25. While I'm on this little religious sidetrack....there was some dude who passed me on the run. On his back was written in magic marker, "fueled by God". This dude was freaking incredible. Shame that he couldn't share a little fuel with me. I needed it. I was hurting so bad, I couldn't even keep up with the hot chicks that passed me.

Had a great time regardless of all my bitching. I really did. I hurt (and I knew I would). I went slow (and I knew I would), but I finished.

Had some cytomax every mile and that seemed to keep the cramps at bay for the first couple of miles. Mile 4 (as I mentioned above) was not fun.

Find some of the "fueled by God" fuel.

Nick greeted me at the finish line (he started like 50 mins behind me) and no sooner had I finshed than Wakeman came in (he started like 90 mins behind me) LOL! Seriously, I keeled over until my legs didn't hurt, found some warm clothes and chatted it up with the kind massage lady.

I went to a beer festival that evening. Does that count as carb replenishment????


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Thanks for all the support guys! All you guys heading on to the NCTS Invitational, I wish you the absolute best!!!!! Thanks for all the support and well wishes. I hope that I can give you all a run for your money next year. Cheers! out....