I had my whole training regimen worked out and I did pretty good at following it...until I hit vacation time at the end of August. I was swimming and running pretty regularly and was even biking in my apartment when I could. My training schedule fell apart when I cam back home for Travers and labor day. The most I did was run 3 miles (once) and ride 30 miles (once). I did run last week once in preparation...but I certainly wouldn't say that I was in tip-top shape.
Well, race morning came and I was up and at 'em early as could be...about 5am or so. It was a lovely 40 degrees outside and still dark. I had a little bit to eat, got my stuff in the car and we were off...yep, Caroline made the trek with me bright and early.
By the time 8:30 rolled around, which was race time, it was up to probably 45 degrees or so and the lake temp was just shy of 70 degrees. I was in for a cold one and I knew it. It was so cold that I didn't want to get into the water until I absolutely had to...so I stood at the back of the pack while everyone else took off. The swim was...well, the swim. It was fairly easy for me, though my time wasn't as fast as I would have liked. The water was really choppy and they had us swimming against the current...both ways. Fun...but not really.
Then came the bike. I got out of the water, adrenaline pumping, and then I realized how incredibly cold it was. I started to shiver, which made it tough to get my socks, shoes, helmet & gloves on. I managed...finally...and was off on the bike. I felt pretty good...accept for the occasional shivers as I dried off. At about mile 9 or 10 it became extraordinarily hard to pedal my bike and I felt like I was lugging a million pounds behind me. I kept hearing a funny whirring sound, but I didn't want to stop to check it out, so I continued on. Well...come to find out, I rode the final 15 or so miles with a flat tire. Yep...completely flat. So that million pounds I felt like I was tugging along...it was just me and the back half of my bike. The course was tough...not gonna lie. There were plenty of fairly steep hills that made me want to get off and walk (I'm sure the flat didn't help here). It was pretty scenic as well...would be nice for a nature ride when the leaves change...in a car!
When I finally got in from the bike there were already folks finishing. It was a real-deal race, so I wasn't surprised. I was off on the run. Nothing too special here...some little hills here and there but a nice run course around the Village. The first loop was a little tough, but once the determination kicked in, I was able to kick it up a notch or three and finished strong. I was probably averaging about a 10 minute mile (or a little more) for the first loop and probably got that down to about 8 1/2 or so for the final 3 miles. I was happy with that performance...especially since I didn't stop to walk at all as so many others did.
All-in-all I had a blast. The race was so well organized and the folks at the Adirondack Tri Club put on an awesome time. The MC of the day did a great job keeping everyone in the loop...whether it was keeping us in check before the race started or anouncing everyone as we crossed the finish line, he was on point. The atmosphere was great after the race as well. It was nice to see that so many people stuck around after the race to hang out and enoy the food and music.
This race was probably the hardest thing that I have done to this point in my life. I am sore as sore can be today...my knees hurt, my hips are sore, my shoulders are sore...but I am totally looking forward to the next one! It was a great end to a great racing season. My goal for next year is quality over quantity. I finished 5 races this summer with respectable times at each. Next year I am going to tone that down by a few races and shoot for better times and better finishes.
Now it's off to football season...hopefully I can keep the activity level up there while I watch my 'Boys!