Leaning Tower YMCA Triathlon Race Recap

You never know until you try...so get out there and experience life.

First race of the season, and everything went off without a hitch. Perfect weather, great course, and a lot of fun.

The Leaning Tower.

Let's start from the top. Packet pickup was Friday and Saturday only (no race day pickup) which could be a hassle for some, but it seems like this is a pretty local race, so most people, including myself, took the short trip to get our race chips, numbers, and goodie bags. For a relativity small race the swag bag was nice. There was a long sleeve tech shirt, a bunch of energy bar samples, which I finished half on the drive home, and some energy and recovery drink mixes, along with a handful of discount coupons stores in the area. There was no line when I arrived on Friday, so I was in and out in 5 minutes. Well organized and seamless.

Transition ready !!

Race day would prove to be the same. The parking lot of the YMCA was closed for the race, but there was plenty of parking directly across the street at Target. The athletes transition area opened at 5am, but I rolled in around 5:40 and it looked like most of the others were getting there about the same time. There was no assigned spots in the transition area so it was first come, first served. Sometimes that means a cluster and fighting for space, but there was ample room for everyone. I set up my bike and run gear and headed in to the pool area to get my race number markered on. Again no waiting, right up and with numbers on my arm and leg it was go time.

Pool before the action started.

The swim starts were at 7am, and they started really close to on time, which I'm sure is no easy feat with so much going on and a lot people to coordinate with, but they pulled it off. The 450 meter swim was done in two differant pools by heats of 12 people starting with the fastest first. Everyone had to put their estimated time when filling out the race registration. The heats were well organized and moved pretty quick, but doing quick math, I realized that it would be about an hour until my heat. I took the time to walk around and limber up a bit and check out the calling card of the race, the Leaning Tower of Niles, which is directly out front of the YMCA. I even helped a couple take a picture in front of the tower who were just happening by and taking in the sites. After a bit of loosening up and relaxing I went in to take a few easy laps in the warm up pool (very nice to be able to warm up a bit). They swim director started to bump up racers into earlier heats that had open spots, so I jumped in one heat early. Then it is in the pool, wait for the whistle, and off we go.....

I start my swim a little to fast, my race plan was to take the first two laps easy then pick it up, but that is always easier said than done. I start to get into the groove toward the middle of the swim, and really turn up the final two laps. Then it's out of the pool and head to transition to hit the bike course. While I am getting set to bike, putting on my race number belt, helmet, water bottles, I am repeating my triathlon moto : smooth is fast, fast is smooth. Just keep moving, one thing to the next, don't rush. Before I know it I am on the bike and cruising my first lap of five to complete the 12 mile ride. The bike course is nice and flat, but it is hard to get much momentum because there are alot of turns being a loop course. There is a bit of wind on the back side of the loop and one rough stretch of road, but it isn't too bad and the laps fly by. You have to count your own laps, which doesn't sound that hard until you are pushing yourself hard and are out of breath. On my fifth and final lap I head in to the home stretch back to the transition area and notice that my mileage meter is reading 10.7 miles. I start to second guess that I had completed all the laps, so I slow down and contemplate turning around but I decide that I counted right and head in. I ask another athlete just getting off of his bike if the course was short, and he said as long as you are between 10 and 11 miles you are good to go. Feeling a bit better, I hitch up my bike, strap on my running shoes and hit the pavement.

Finish with a smile....always!!

The 5K run course is the first half of the bike loop and is an out-and-back loop, so by this time it is pretty familiar ground, just being through here 5 times. It does go by a bit slower on foot that speeding by on bike, but I focus on keeping my cadence quick, breathing deep, and staying loose and relaxed. The sun is starting pop out from behind the nicely overcast sky and heat up the course. My heart rate is starting to climb and I power on repeating my moto: smooth is fast, fast is smooth. Just stay relaxed, move the feet quick. loosen up the arms, keep moving. I hit the turn around and feel like it getting close, I am starting to hurt a little and am breathing heavy but I know that I can keep pushing for a bit longer.

The last running stretch of any triathlon is where you have to dig deep and remind yourself of why you are doing this in the first place. It is normally at this point of the race that I will laugh a bit to myself and think, "what the hell am I doing, why push so hard, it would be so easy to just sit down and rest, this is crazy". Then I will smile and push a little harder, just to be a bit crazy and really for no other reason than: why not. In the home stretch of a race I try to save a kick to finish hard and it is always nice to have some racers ahead of you to try to catch up to and pass, but as I round the final long strait away the next closest racer is about 1/4 mile in front of me, so I put my head down and start to pass imaginary racers and dig deep into my lungs to find every bit of oxygen that I can muster to sprint to the finish line....

Finisher's medal, tech shirt, and race number.

The finish was well stocked with plenty of food and drinks and even some Starbucks coffee (nice touch). After some water and a banana, I check my race time, which was posted very quick, and was surprised to see my finish of 1:02. This was good enough for 26th overall, and 4th in my age group! I am excited to get back into the pool and work my swim to be more competitive for the next race. This race was great fun, very well organized, and I can see myself making this one a yearly test. Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers for a fantastic race and day!!

Happy Finisher!

Race Week

Success is in the preparation, so prepare to be successful.

This weekend is my first race of the season. Although it doesn't really feel like racing season still being so cold and gloomy, but this week looks like we are taking a change toward summer. I am excited to get out on the race course and test my fitness and sharpen up my race skills. Usually the first race of the season is an eye opener for me, pointing out my weaknesses and putting me right where I need to be... ready to work harder and get better for the next race. There is something to be learned in every situation if you know where to look. Normally it is very easy to see the lessons in a race. The differences in fitness and technique are magnified during a competition  and you can really see where you can improve in the future.

Nice scene from a run to Montrose Beach.

I still have a few workouts this week, but the duration is going down, and they are all more race specific, so I am looking forward to a little bit of a break this week to rest up for race day. I was a little disappointed when I saw there was no race day packet pickup, of course right after I finished signing up, but I guess it will be nice to check out the route to the start and the race course before the race. It does take a little stress out of the game to know exactly where you are going and what to expect come race day. It is in the unknowns where mistakes are made.

Time to hit the pool to keep honing the swimming skills for what should be a fantastic race season!!

Check in next week for a review of the Niles YMCA Leaning Tower Triathlon.

Back to the basics

It's not how long or hard you train, it's that you always do your very best at that moment.

The last two weeks have been a blur. It is hard to stay focused on the little things in your life when there is so much going on around the world that make you feel like your day to day worries and concerns are pretty insignificant. The big picture sometimes puts everything in perspective and makes one feel grateful for everything that we take for granted everyday.

A little spring treat

The one thing that always makes me focus and get to a positive place in my life is training. There is something comforting about having a training plan and doing your best to prepare for your goals and building yourself up physically and mentally. I really feel that our main purpose in life is to become the best humans that we can. One of the best ways that I have found to move in that direction is to challenge yourself and grow out of those challenges. You become stronger, more focused, more efficient, less stressed, and get better at knowing who you really are, and what you want in life. If you get a good hold on those last two, nothing can stop you from being successful.

Turn around point of long bike ride

My triathlon training is in full effect, with a full schedule of swims, bike rides, runs, and cross training. Pair that up with a full fitness class teaching schedule and martial arts training and I am one busy guy. You know what.....I wouldn't have it any other way. Sure some days are pretty tough and it's hard to get out the door for some hill sprints or fast pool laps, but I always feel better afterwards. The body is very resilient and you start to find out that the biggest hurdle is in you mind. Once you dig deep and find that place in your mind where you believe that you can do it, you are already there!! You just can't let your mind defeat you (excuses) before you have even started.