Sunday, June 19, 2011

Pat Griskus Triathlon

What a day.

Bib Number.......201
Hotel Room........201
Unofficial Time..2:01 (Clock Time)

Actual Time 1:57:40

It started off as the foggiest day of the year. The air seemed cool and humid, yet comfortable as I started to pull on my wetsuit. All the other athletes around the transition area started mumbling as news that the swim was about to be canceled. Everyone looked puzzled, some; frightened. Others seemed joyed that their weakest leg was about to give them an edge in qualifying for Nationals. I on the other hand debated what this meant. I had been working on my swimming for months, although was still apprehensive about the chaos that always was at the start. I stood on the beach knowing that what was about to happen was beyond my control. I waited for the official announcement as the fog receded from across the lake. The officials were postponing the start of the race to allow the fog to life completely, but something unexpected decided to happen instead. The wind died down, and instead of allowing the sun burn off the foggy mist, the low cloud drifted back over Quassy Lake, pulling a mask over the eight neon orange buoys floating across the lake. The first turn was completely clouded from view while standing on the beach. After a fifteen minute delay, not an announcement but an option came over the loud speaker. "We have two solutions for today's race. We can start the race with a shortened swim course due to the fog on the horizon." A cheer came from the crowd knowing that a compromise was made. "Or we can skip the swim and start the race at transition 1 in time trial style." A series of "Boo's" echoed from the sea of lime green, white, and pink bathing caps. "A shortened swim it is." The officials herded the first wave of athletes into the corral. "10, 9, 8, 7." Excitement rose for the start of the race. "4, 3, 2, 1..." The horn sounded as 30-44 year old men dove into the lake and disappeared into the fog. My wave was herded, just as the first, counting every swimmer carefully. It was time to start the race.

Post-Analysis
Swim-13:06
Strong Efficient.
Unfortunately started in the back of the pack - lost time from that.
Relaxed.

T1- :41
4th Fastest

Bike- 1:05:57

Fast Downhills - 43 Mph, great momentum
Strong first half
Upper and Lower Back fatigued - need to work longer rides
Chain Popped off at mile 20 - lost time

T2- 1:00
Need to work on slipping into shoes

Run- 36:58
12 seconds faster than last year
Inefficient-Fatigued from Bike
Need to work back strength and take off form

22nd Overall, 4th in Division

Qualified for the 2011 USAT Short Course National Championship

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Pat griskus is approaching!

So the Pat Griskus Triathlon is approaching. The USAT Regional Championship. I think I'm ready for it. Last year I came out with 29:52, :45, 1:08:14, :51, 37:10. I had JUST scraped the last qualification spot for Nationals and came in 28th overall. My swim was virtually untrained, my bike was weak, the only thing slightly strong was the run which collapsed shortly after the race.

The way I've been training these past few months has taken me to new heights. I'm looking for a sub-26 swim, 1:02 bike, and sub-35 run. It's very possibly and feels likely. I'm looking to take top 10 and be quite competitive.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Always an Adventure in Middletown

So Shelby, Mike, and I went out last night after watching the first half of the NBA finals. Great Game. We went to poor Bobby's, a little hole in the wall, that was Completely deserted when we arrived. They had a couple beers, I had a water, and we kept watching the second half of the Heat and Mavs. 10 Lead changes, coming down to the last shot. Personality I'm happy Dallas won, now the finals have to go to at LEAST game 6 and it's been an incredible series. Some more people started coming in by this time, and we were all excited to watch the end of the game. When the buzzer sounded we packed it in and left. The sound of Pizza rang in our ears, lushish pizza. After driving by practically every pizza restaurant in Middletown we figured Domino's would be open. 11:59 heading down the finish of Wisner Avenue we saw the last of the pizza boys taking in the Domino pizza flags from outside. "Yo are you open?" "Nah, we just closed. You missed us by 2 minutes." I spun the car around and heading towards the gate of the parking lot. "YO!" We spun around looking for the voice that had called from across the lot. "You want a free pizza, its a little old, about an hour." We headed off, stunned, we had just come across a free pizza. Cheep beer, crazy game, free pizza. What else could you ask for?

Yesterday's Workout
Hour Bike
3 mile Run

I felt shot yesterday, first day back. My incision stayed closed but I think it may have been a little weakened. But it's holding its own.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Two Months Later

A lot has happened in two months. But we won't go there just yet. I have my doctors appointment in an hour and 15. The glass in my hip is now finally gone and he tells me whether my incision is strong enough to train with. Should be interesting.

Textbooks By "U" is going well. I have several interviews I must make. I need to update the estimates form, maybe JUST make a pickup form, or JUST make an interview form. And I have to put in the terms and conditions for the contracts, because the people are not employees, they are outside contractors called consultants. They get paid by project, and how well they market the project.