Baby Steps

Almost 2 years ago on June 21, 2009 I took a plunge into the 3-sport world. Waking up at 4am and driving into our Nation's Capital to race in The Dextro Energy Triathlon World Championship Series ITU 2009 amateur event. Looking back on that nervous morning I still remember the happenings quite vividly. Scared out of my mind I figured out that I my bike and my running shoes go in the same place where I would re-group after both the swim and the bike. Fortunately I was comforted by many older and more experienced triathletes who took me under their wing and explained to me the intricacies of a triathlon and the transition area. Walking around before the race in my swim jammer I tried my hardest to give off the appearance that I actually had some sort of idea as to what I was doing. This was however, completely and totally false.

Eventually the eternity of waiting was over and the other athletes adorning the same age group red caps and I made our way to the dock. Nervously gripping the side of the dock a million and a half-thoughts came rushing through my mind. One of which was the realization that I had in fact never actually swam 750m straight without touching the bottom or at least, without have the opportunity to touch the bottom. Fantastic. The horn sounded and the athletes tore away from the dock head. I was immediately surrounded by a sea of frantically kicking arms and legs. How was I supposed to see where I was going if I was swimming freestyle. Shit, another unresolved issue. I decided to swim breaststroke to find my target, then swim free again till I thought I had veered off course enough to warrant some more breaststroke. Finally the shore came, and I couldn't have been more happy to see it! The amount of Potomac River I drunk that day will probably mess me up forever, and if my children have 3 eyes, Im going to blame it on this race. My swim time: 14:39.

The rest of the race unfolded before me and quickly on the bike I realized how much stronger I was then those who got out of the water around me. I flew by probably 50 or so people during the course of the bike and the run went somewhat smoothly, minus the feeling like I was going to throw up from the combination of the chocolate GU I ate + Potomac River Water. I still have not had a chocolate GU till this day.

The remainder of this race is a side note however. Yesterday in my masters swim practice we were given a 300 swim, 200 pull, and 200 kick. As I kicked that last 50 my mind wandered to this race. I realized that I had begun the workout promptly at 12, and that I was going to finish up my warm-up somewhere under 12:14. 2 years ago it took me 14 minutes and 39 seconds to race 750meters! Today I had beaten that in a warm-up taking short breaks in between the swim, pull, and kick, almost effortlessly. I realize that I am far from getting out of the water with the top pack of guys, but I am proud of how far I have come AND even more excited to see where I will get to.

My natural habitat

One week and one day ago Kyle and I drove up to his house situated at the base of the Horsetooth reservoir. Arriving at the house we found ourselves famished so we proceeded to head down the road about a mile to Cheba Hut, a hippie themed sandwich shop with sandwiches such as "the dank" and "purple haze" for some grub. The sandwiches we got lived up to their names, they were quite feastable. Coming back to the house Kyle and I unpacked all of our crap before a little relaxation followed by shake-out runs from the long 28 hours of driving we had done over the course of the past 3 days. Dank though Cheba Hut may be, we both decided that it probably was not the best pre-run fuel, who'd a thunk? Either way, it was good to stretch out the legs. The altitude definitely played a factor as I just didnt feel like I was able to open up my stride as easily without getting winded. It will be interesting to see what it feels like a month from now and even more interesting to return to sea level in August!

My second day I woke up early and went for another shakeout before an afternoon ride. The afternoon ride is a fast paced lunch time ride down from one of the local shops. I knew it was going to be hard as all the guys who showed up looked legit but I didn't know exactly what I was in for. The ride started out at a leisurely warm-up and steadily ramped itself up. We hit the first hill and being me, I attacked. Three-quarters of the way up the hill I looked back to see 4 riders bridging up to me, steadily gaining...damnit greg. They passed me and put about 10ft on me by the top. Chasing back on I hung with them for another 2-3 miles before being dropped through the round-abouts. Well this was a new feeling. Sitting on corner of the sidewalk I whipped out my snazzy gps phone to find the way back to the store. No thanks, I dont want to go on I-25 (the biggest highway in the Fort). Fortunately as I tried to retrace my steps I ran into two women who had missed the start of the ride. One of them I learned was Meredith Miller, a really fast local and the 2009 womens road race champion. They were nice and let me latch on to them and ride back to the shop. Lesson #1: Dont be an idiot.

The next morning I woke up at 5am to go to FAST masters swimming at the EPIC. Best decision ever. Since I have been to every practice the masters team has and I see big improvements in my stroke already. Today we got to do long course (50m) which was great for me not being a flip-turn expert. I have learned to swim with my back instead of my shoulders which is helping tremendously as my shoulders no longer hurt so bad and I feel more comfortable in the water. Winning. We did a gutcheck 200m at the end of practice today and I came in just under 2:54. Double-winning.

The past week I have gotten in some good rides including a ride up Rist Canyon, an 11 miles 5% avg grade climb followed by a good fast descent with Sam Dannenbring, a triathlete from VA Beach that I have raced against a good bit. Sam taught me another lesson in humility as he would drop me on both the climb and the descents, riding back to fetch me.

Unfortunately Kyle and I haven't been able to get out in the field yet for research due to the massive amount of snow blocking trail ridge, BUT we have played frisbee disc golf 4 times and made many a delicious meal. Not all bad. It is amazing to me how greg-geared this place is. For the first couple of days I couldn't stop telling Kyle how much I loved it. He replied, "Ya man, its like your natural habitat!" He couldn't have been more right.