Well as some may know, this weekend was the St. Peters Rec plex Triathlon. This was also the first race in a year that I got to compete against a fellow athlete and friend who was equally matched with myself. We had raced and met back in 2005 but have not raced against each other since then, until this weekend. Michael "Dish" Dishman came in town on Sat before the race and we caught up while heading out on a hour tune up ride that evening. We then shared stories about the past year of racing and our plans for the year to come. We discussed future races we could race in, not only against each other but as a team, and agreed on some really crazy races.
After riding, we headed out to our favorite pre race carb up resteraunt, Fazoli's. You may be saying "WHAT!?!" but every time that Dish or I have eaten there we have had a wonderful race, so why mess with what works. (side note: If you are affiliated with Fazolis - we are looking for sponsorship.) The rest of the night was filled with catching up and alot of shaving on my side.
4 am Race Day - Wake up, eat oatmeal, drink water, stretch. That was the routine. Checked the bag, made note that had to get Vasoline for the shoes and coffee.
5am - Got the Vasoline and coffee and on way to race. At 5:30 we pull in and the energy starts to rise. Nervous energy surges for a few minutes as I sit in the car and run through the race in my head. A good feeling and I am ready to go.
630am - Have been chatting it up with a bunch of fellow athletes. Race starts. I still have 1:21:30 to wait. AHHHHH! Pass the time by stretching and fiddling with the bike.
7:20am - In the pool area, nervous energy starting to rise. I do some arm circles, stretch and cheer on Dish as he swims past. Now I am in line and sizing up the people around me. Talk to a guy who is here for his first time. Give a few tips and tell him not to worry. Nervous Energy has now settled to excitement and all pistons are hitting on all cylinders. The last 2 minutes before my start take forever and are a blur as I was in auto pilot (good sign).
Swim is over and I don't remember half of it, I do remember my watch coming off in the 4th lap so no more knowing my time. Make my way to the bike and make a clean mount. 15 Minutes later and I am already nearing the turnaround, I have to check the excitement I don't want to burn to much energy. I hit the service road hill (1.5 Mile to go) and my computer say 50 minutes. New Record here I come. I miss judge the dismount which causes me a minute, but I am still off the bike in 57 Minutes a new best for the course.
Hitting the run, it takes an extra half mile for my legs to get under me. Now I am cruising and cheering everybody else on. I am sure some thought I was crazy to cheer them on when I am clearly trying to run fast, but thats what I love about the sport. As I near the finish line, I am unsure as to when to start my sprint since they altered the run course. I see a Volunteer and as I gesture where it is, he points and, reading my mind, yells encouragment. Now knowing my goal I make a dead sprint to the finish and cross in 1:44:35. Excitement and curiosity rage, did I beat Dish? Where did I place?
The awards ceremony reveals that while I made a great race and finished 7th in my Age Group and 37th out of close to 500. Dish beat me with a 1:38:13 and a 3rd in AG and 15th overall. A good job for Dish and fuel for my next race.
We are still unsure of our next race but be gauranteed it will be a good one. We are leaning to competing as a team in a 2008 race, the race? A 24-Hour Triathlon in Colorado. It will be a blast!
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