#masterstriathlete

[cmjhawk86]

Race done and it went well despite my GPS not working and somehow, the ankle chip not working either. Luckily I was able to work with the race timer to figure it all out. I had splits on my watch, just no recorded distance.

I had a feeling I would be in play for age group award and sure enough I was. Overall time was about what I expected. The 300 swim was not too bad, a little slower than I would have liked, then I mashed the bike leg. I must have passed 40-50 riders and only got passed by two. The run was mostly a very quiet lonely experience and my legs were toast. Only near the end did I catch up with some people. The course signage was a little sketchy for the run so we had to collectively figure it out but we all got home. Overall I am pleased with the outcome. It was great to run into some old friends too and they also had a good day.

Now for a little recovery time and then I’ll start training for masters cross country - USATF Master Nationals is Portland, OR in December.

[cmjhawk86]

Oh that was a tough one. It was dress rehearsal day for next month’s tri. I simulated race day as much as I could - trisuit, TT bike, Asics Noosa Tri running shoes and I made my carport the transition zone. Ride went fine even though I could feel fatigue in my legs after yesterday’s track session and a weight workout. But I still hit pretty good speeds for a hot day and hilly course. I had about 2-3 minute transition and then it was back out. Right away I noticed my legs felt like stilts. It was a suffer fest for sure but I got the planned 2 miles done. So basically I did next month’s bike race distance but not quite the run distance (5K). I’m really going to have to work on that because today was so hard. Hopefully coming into race day fully tapered will make all the difference.

[cmjhawk86]

Race day is almost here. And I feel ready. I’ve been tapering this week; my swim today was just 550 yards and I worked mostly on technique.

It’s different training for sprints. Obviously you don’t have the massive time commitments that come with training for long-form triathlons, but the workouts, while short, are intense. You are only out there for an hour or so, and you have to be ready to go full gas. And if you have one bad element there’s really no time to make up for it. I learned that two years ago at New Jersey Sprint Tri, when I absolutely floundered in the swim. I crushed the bike and held on for the run, but that swim put me in the bottom third of all finishers.

This time I’ve worked hard on my swim. I know I’ll be fine in the bike and run elements. I do think I’ve gotten better, though I’m still slow in the water. I just hope I’m not buried after the swim this time. It helps that this is a pool swim rather than open water, much more manageable. It’s a whole different ballgame in open water.

Bottom line I think I’ll be fine in this swim, and then I can go to work on the bike. Running, which really should be my forte, has been a struggle for me but I see signs of turning the corner to something more like my old form. Looking forward to see how it all goes.

[cmjhawk86]

Today’s workout was powered by #supercoffee enhanced #nacraftbeer from @athleticbrewing. Pretty good stuff. Then it was time to get outside for 10-10-5-5 minute #tempointervals in some dismal weather conditions. Luckily I dressed well for the weather and was comfortable for the whole distance. 3 weeks until @cucb #cherryblossomtenmiler. I still have some work to do but the progress is there. #mastersrunner #masterstriathlete #masterstrackathlete #mastersxcrunner #mastersroadrunner #runva #tracktraining #xctraining #neverstopstriving #justkeepgoing #zensah #zensahambassador #teamzensah #withoutlimitz #sauconyendorphinspeed (at Mantua, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CptOSBGO_Uo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[cmjhawk86]

Great day to be outside with #springrunning conditions. I made another step up in distance today, going for 4 miles. That’s the longest I’ve run in almost 10 months! I kept it all easy today and just let my body find the run. That may be why my last mile was my fastest and that was a mostly uphill mile, too. My @zensah compression socks and my favorite trainers, the @altrarunning Torin, made sure it was a nice smooth ride as well. Afterwards I strength trained and I now feel like I got it all In today for sure. #mastersrunner #masterstriathlete #masterstrackathlete #mastersxcrunner #mastersroadrunner #runva #tracktraining #xctraining #neverstopstriving #justkeepgoing #altratorin #zensah #zensahambassador #teamzensah #withoutlimitz (at Mantua, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CanRDLJp_e5/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cmjhawk86]

Not a bad night's work. @chicago.tri #chivirtualtri is hopefully practice for next year when I can do a real live triathlon again. #supersprinttriathlon was a good choice tonight. Felt good to go fast and throw caution to the wind, knowing it wouldn't last long. Now let's see if the AG lead holds up. I'm guessing it won't but it's fun to see myself in the top spot for a minute. #runblr #fitblr #mastersrunner #masterstriathlete #masterstrackathlete #summertraining #swimblr #bikeblr #crosstraining #keepshowingup (at Mantua, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEfxYH-nF5-/?igshid=z97walzdlaom

[cmjhawk86]

A week after the triathlon, here is a video of my finish. I’m the guy in the white/gray trisuit. I’m definitely happy with the 2nd plate age group finish. I might have done better if I was in decent running shape, but I’ll work on that.

It’s been a very light week, focused on recovery. I had a couple of short 2-3 mile runs at very slow 🐢 pace, and a nice midweek swim. I’m sad to think that the neighborhood pool will close in just 3 weeks but at least I’ve got the county rec centers to keep me swimming.

One more easy week lies ahead and then I will start winding it up for masters cross country racing this fall.

[cmjhawk86]

My workout partner tonight figured out quickly what the treadmill was for. I was supposed to swim tonight but storms changed that plan. So I did a short recovery jog on the treadmill, then hit the weights under Finn’s watchful eye. The 300 swim time trial will have to wait.