So I am calling myself out, I said I was done for the summer with tri's but I registered for the "Call to Honor" triathlon on Sept 13th. It will take place in a north shore town, at Stiles Pond. This one is in honor of a fallen trooper who was a Capt. with the Mass. State Police. This is a great cause and the proceeds will got to a scholarship fund established in Capt. Cashin's name.
The race WILL be a great way to finish of the year. By then my second son will be on this earth and I will be somewhat sleep deprived but in the end that is what life is all about.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
WITCH CITY RACE REPORT
That last race of the season was everything and more. All got off to a good start. The weather was a bit overcast and very muggy in the early AM. This venue was one of my first tri's ever. Thinking of the last 9 years of racing and what has been some of the most daunting events makes wonder why we all do this. One of the things today was my new powertap. I had this put on last week and was really looking forward to racing with it. The guru of power training, Dean Phillips of Fit Werx, can read these numbers like a scientist! I really wanted to put out as much as I could on the bike and use the information to create my base training platform for the 2010 season. I know rushing it!
All was good in the warm up, bike was set, legs felt good and got ready in the water. I was going off in the first wave. 39 and under. Kind of a big group for a 1/2 mile swim but what are you going to do. Off we went and again I couldn't get into my groove. I felt like I was struggling and by the time I was heading back to shore I began to settle in. Anyway, out of the water and off with the wetsuit. We needed it b/c the water was cold! I thought I was about 10 or 12 back from the leader. I passed 2 or 3 in transition. Still can get faster there.
Out to the bike course. The powertap buzzing and I was starting to crank, The guys at Fit Werx stressed not ot focus on the the watts b/c I have to number to guide me. This was a good way to get that established. How could I not look! As I headed out the watts were through the roof! I was up over 500 for that first little hill. I had settled and got into where I wanted to hold my pace. I started catching riders and then I knew I was about 2 or 3 back from the leader heading into the first loop. Out on the "neck" I flew through the first loop. Legs were strong and I was by myself so I was trying just to keep my pace. On the second loop I met joined some of the other athletes and cruised along into loop 2. The 3rd loop was as uneventful. This time when heading back to town I wanted to catch the leaders. I knew that I had to be with them starting the run. I started to think that I might be able to pull of a top podium today. As I made it back to Salem I saw the lights of the Police escort with the leader. I figured I was in 2nd. He was about 500 yards away with about 2.5 miles to go. Caleen Brammer was leading the charge. I knew was a great swimmer and runner and if I wanted to take this I had to be to T2 first. So I started to push it. With about a mile left I passed him followed the Police motorbike into T2. Got on my shoes and Caleen was right behind me.
I let Caleen out of T2 and started to follow him on the run. He was about 3 secs ahead of me and wanted to see what he left. My legs transitioned w/out issue felt really good. The run was an out and back 3 mile stretch. I like this b/c you gage where everyone is. We were moving pretty good and the turn around was on a walking path. I was still right on his heels as we headed back. When we got onto the main road again I was thinking he wad going to take off but that wasn't the case. Now I was thinking when am I going to take off? There was a final climb with about a half mile to go and decided that was where I would make my move, if didn't. At the hill I was feeling good and started to pull away. I didn't hear him come and I went to push it a little more. On the final turn back into Forest River Park I looked over my shoulder and saw Caleen about 20 yrs behind. I knew that if I held this pace to the end I would take top spot. It was great b/c there was my wife and son just yards from the finish! the clock stopped at 1:01:42 I was shocked! My second 1st overall in a good field and great race! What away to end the season!
All was good in the warm up, bike was set, legs felt good and got ready in the water. I was going off in the first wave. 39 and under. Kind of a big group for a 1/2 mile swim but what are you going to do. Off we went and again I couldn't get into my groove. I felt like I was struggling and by the time I was heading back to shore I began to settle in. Anyway, out of the water and off with the wetsuit. We needed it b/c the water was cold! I thought I was about 10 or 12 back from the leader. I passed 2 or 3 in transition. Still can get faster there.
Out to the bike course. The powertap buzzing and I was starting to crank, The guys at Fit Werx stressed not ot focus on the the watts b/c I have to number to guide me. This was a good way to get that established. How could I not look! As I headed out the watts were through the roof! I was up over 500 for that first little hill. I had settled and got into where I wanted to hold my pace. I started catching riders and then I knew I was about 2 or 3 back from the leader heading into the first loop. Out on the "neck" I flew through the first loop. Legs were strong and I was by myself so I was trying just to keep my pace. On the second loop I met joined some of the other athletes and cruised along into loop 2. The 3rd loop was as uneventful. This time when heading back to town I wanted to catch the leaders. I knew that I had to be with them starting the run. I started to think that I might be able to pull of a top podium today. As I made it back to Salem I saw the lights of the Police escort with the leader. I figured I was in 2nd. He was about 500 yards away with about 2.5 miles to go. Caleen Brammer was leading the charge. I knew was a great swimmer and runner and if I wanted to take this I had to be to T2 first. So I started to push it. With about a mile left I passed him followed the Police motorbike into T2. Got on my shoes and Caleen was right behind me.
I let Caleen out of T2 and started to follow him on the run. He was about 3 secs ahead of me and wanted to see what he left. My legs transitioned w/out issue felt really good. The run was an out and back 3 mile stretch. I like this b/c you gage where everyone is. We were moving pretty good and the turn around was on a walking path. I was still right on his heels as we headed back. When we got onto the main road again I was thinking he wad going to take off but that wasn't the case. Now I was thinking when am I going to take off? There was a final climb with about a half mile to go and decided that was where I would make my move, if didn't. At the hill I was feeling good and started to pull away. I didn't hear him come and I went to push it a little more. On the final turn back into Forest River Park I looked over my shoulder and saw Caleen about 20 yrs behind. I knew that if I held this pace to the end I would take top spot. It was great b/c there was my wife and son just yards from the finish! the clock stopped at 1:01:42 I was shocked! My second 1st overall in a good field and great race! What away to end the season!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Witch City Tri
Well, my last "registered race" of the season ended as well as my first. I was blessed enought to take first Overall at the Witch City Tri this past weekend. What a exhilerating feeling. It was even more special because my wife and soon were there at the finishline to see me bring it home. I will have a more indepth race report in a few days. Congrats to my brother who took 2nd place in the Clyde div. What a great day!
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