The view from two weeks out.

I've written a lot about the journey, the training, the mix of emotions that taking on this challenge has stirred up.  My radio silence of late has been a function of several factors (other than lack of discipline as a blogger which has to be in there somewhere, I suppose).  First, I would say that the last month of training was just absurdly hard.  Time consuming and exhausting.  For example, the long rides reached and exceeded 100 miles (3 rides of 100 or more), and the runs reached 20 miles (2)  I am only able to chime in now because it has finally eased up in the "taper" weeks.   Second, it is because I have pre-race butterflies, and that is not a comfortable thing to write about.  I go within myself when stress impends, and this is no exception.  The butterflies are telling me I have a big event coming as they have in the past with exams, Army Airborne training, getting married, becoming a father, etc.  It is hard to put the mix of apprehension and confidence that I feel into words.  Apprehension of the unknown, confidence that I put in as much training (or more) than my busy life as a married professional parent of small children could support, without any grave injury or accident (so far, knock on wood). 

Escape to Miami Triathlon:  Quick Race Report. 

I was about to Escape to Miami (Olympic Style) when I last wrote.  Let me encapsulate that experience quickly.  I did this race (which was my first full Olympic distance triathlon in 2011) for the third time at the end of last month.  It is a cool race --  well before the sun comes up, you ride out to a small Island in Biscayne Bay near Margaret Pace Park they call "Escape Island" on a ferry.  You then dive in the water, swim to shore, and wait for the swim to start as the sun rises.  They have music and drinks on the island, while you wait for the race.  You swim a dogleg course to shore on the mainland, get on your bike in Margaret Pace Park north of Downtown Miami, ride two laps over to Miami Beach and back over the Julia Tuttle (equalling many bridge repeats) then run the 10K on the MacCarthur Causeway, almost to the other side and back. 

A couple of observations about the race and course follow.

Pre-Race and Race Morning

Picking up my packet, racking my bike and riding to the Island all went smoothly.

Riding to Escape Island with my Team Hammerhead friends and club-mates.

Before the Swim Start:  So, after swimming to shore, I find myself in the water, goggles and cap on, the sun is rising, and I am surrounded by a couple hundred other male triathletes from various age groups, all ready to go, and quiet reigns.  It is a clean, austere moment that soon will transform into the familiar dynamic of a thrashing swim start. 

Swim Start  A short while later, the gun went off and the swim began.  For three years in a row now, Biscayne Bay has had its way with me on this race with its strong current pulling me out of my line and adding 100-150 meters to my swim, and despite several sessions of swim coaching and sighting practice, this year was no different.  But it was still my fastest Escape swim this year in 37:49.  Also, I felt good, not tired coming out of the water, as I had not had to push the swim. Out of the water and onto the bike.

Out of the water in fine spirits. 

Bike Leg:  I was very happy with it.  Felt strong and in control and fast the whole time.  It did not feel, as it has in years past, like a struggle.  I could go as fast as I wanted to without redlining it at all.   I stay in the big gear on the hills, I comfortably knock out a fast bike, 1:20:53 my fastest Olympic bike leg yet. 

During the Bike, I get RAINED ON HARD FOR A LONG TIME without it fazing me, though the mph did go down during that portion. 

Starting the run                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 Bringing it home - the finish line.

The run was much easier.  Unlike last year where a combination of heat exhaustion and a fall near the finish line wiped me out on the run, this year I ran a decent 1:04:04 10K and crossed the finish line smiling.  3:08:32.  Three minutes faster than last year, and a new PR for the full Olympic distance (51.5K).  Now that may not sound like a lot, but here's the rub:  I blew it out last year, pushed it to the wall.  In the fall mentioned above, I hurt my ankle, and I was disoriented by the heat, and finally ended up in the medical tent to cool off.   This year, I walked out of there smiling with a faster time.  I trained through it.  It felt easy.  I pushed, but stayed within myself.  That afternoon I felt fine.

All this I attribute to Ironman training.  Just as marathon training turned a half marathon from "a big deal" to "let's go run a half" like it ain't no thang... I feel IM training has turned Olympics for me into something very doable.  It's a good analogy because Olympics take a bit longer than a half, but it is in the same range - 2 hrs. for a half 3 hrs. give or take for an Olympic.

End of Race Report. 

REST ON THE TRAIL:  OCEAN REEF.

After the race

The following weekend was a bit of a mental health break in Key Largo.  I got some training in, but not 100% by any stretch.  I think the mental break was more beneficial than any "hard effort would have been."  Hanging with Gennifer and the boys was a reminder of life outside the artificial life that IM training has become.

Back to present day, two weeks later.

It is the Friday afternoon before another big weekend relatively speaking.  The week consisted of a run, a brick, an open water swim and two strength sessions.  The weekend will consist of another, - 1 hour, open water swim, 10 mile run, Sat, then a 50 mile bike/40 minute run, Sun..  Then shorter weekday workouts and the ride up to PCB Wed. after next.  The calm before the storm.  Don't expect much between now and then.  The training is basically complete.  The hay is in the barn.  Put down your pencils and stop working, exam time is over. Nothing left to do but

Wish me luck, track me, you'll hear something soon.

My next post may very well be a finisher photo......stay tuned!