So I realize that I have been pretty pathetic in updating my blog, if you can even call it that considering there has really been only one post. But in a effort to move forward and keep some of my friends out there who are blogging regulars off my back I will put in a more concerted effort from here on.
After my season was over last year I was plagued by a string of running injuries which in the long run benefited me because I was forced to spend time swimming. When November came around I stood huddled around a computer the day after Ironman FL waiting for 12:00pm so I could register and be assured a spot for November 6, 2010. Jody, Frank, Brian, Aaron, and myself all successfully grabbed one of the 2800 spots which ended up selling out in 15 minutes. There was a sigh of relief as I got my confirmation email stating that I was officially registered for the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run in Panama City Beach, FL. However, that feeling was abruptly replaced by the reality that I was a long way off from being an Ironman. Nevertheless, I was excited to begin my training for what would certainly be one of the greatest personal accomplishments of my life. I signed up for Masters and began swimming with the Shaker Masters team 3-4 days a week over the winter. I ran trails until the snow melted and then transitioned to the roads. I put some miles on the cross bike when I couldn’t bear the trainer and even did one cyclocross race, complete with the experience of being lapped by the lead girls as I struggled to keep gasping for air. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was going to be a long season. It was still snowing out side and I was months away from beginning the 26 week build to Ironman.
Fast forward to July. I was down at Cesars Creek with Jody for my first Olympic distance tri. I didn’t know what to expect except that the pace would be a little faster than Steelhead but a little slower than a sprint. I was still struggling with my nutrition plan and it showed big time here. I also wasn’t racing with HR like I did towards the end of the season and I paid for my early efforts on the swim and bike during my 53min death march of a 10k. It was warm that day and combined with stomach cramps that began 10 miles into the bike made for one of the worse race experiences I have ever had. Luckily there was some salvaging the day as Jody went 2:08 and finished 3rd overall.
My next race was Vermillion. The BAFF boys were there, with about 6-10 members racing, and seeing your teammates out there on the course always pumps you up a little. The main thing I remembered from this race was that I was going to have fun no matter what. I had spent too much time, money, and effort not to enjoy the fruits of my labor. With that weight lifted off my shoulders I was actually looking forward to racing. It was hot and humid that day and the hilly bike course made for an interesting run. I felt good out of T2 but I made the mistake of only having a bottle of Heed for fuel and fluids on my bike, so cramping became just a matter of time. I tried guzzling down water and gel, which sounded awesome at the time, turned out to be the end of my race for that day. As my stomach churned and I became more and more bloated, my run once again became a walk. I saw Jody with about a 2 to go (after having a fast swim and looking good on the bike he flatted 10 miles in) and he kind of lifted my spirits as he walked with me for a minute. I shuffled on and finished, not with a blazing time, but happy that I didn’t shut down mentally. The sight at the finish line was ridiculous, as many of the fast guys were as hot and overheated as I was.
After that race I spent some time trying to fix my nutrition issues by talking to Nate Loman and the guys at Hammer Nutrition and after some tweaking I finally figured it out. Good thing too, because the Rev3 half Ironman was right around the corner and I really didn’t want to walk 13.1 miles again.
Coming up, Rev3 report and Ironman Florida!
