Today started the first of 5 triathlons this year beginning with the Max Performance Sprint race in Shelbyville, peaking at Ironman Louisville and ending with the USA Triathlon Age Group Short Course National Championships two days before my 30th birthday.? Despite the rainy 40F temperatures outside I was able to best my time from last year by 3 minutes to finish with a 1:03:45 which would be good enough for 5th overall and 1st in the M30-34 age group.? Due to the weather the event was run in reverse order which I love, though the non-swimmers seem to grumble.? I like it mainly because of the mass start; everyone lines up for the run and goes at once!? Its not like the time trial starts where everyone leaves one at a time or in waves and youre only racing the clock.? In a mass start, the first person to cross the finish line wins simple as that.

With all of the confidence I have been building with my running, I decided to put my skills to the test and really race this event.? Turns out … I killed the run! This part of my training has shown major improvement over the last year, dropping my 5/10K pace from eight minute miles down to the sixes. I keep harping on it, but thats because Im still so happy/surprised. I lined up at the very front for the start of the race and was determined that I wasnt going to let anyone pass me. Other than handful of people that blasted out of the gate, I would be able to keep that promise. My first mile went off at 6:16, which coincided with my heart rate shooting up to 185bpm, but its a sprint and I had something to prove so I let myself go. I tried syncing my breathing up to my run cadence which provided a mental distraction during the 5K. Every 5 steps I would take a breath and let it out, changing to every 4 my the end of the run once we made the turn and started back up the hill. I was in about 8th place coming in to transition and was able to pick up 2 spots before getting on the bike.

The bike course was very windy with rolling hills which wont quite let you get into a rhythm but I am surprised that I didn't go any faster than I did in this same event 1 year ago. My run has drastically improved and I feel stronger in the swim, but my cycling has gone nowhere. Need to figure that one out. Need to get stronger at hills, work on a more powerful stroke. My heart rate is staying well within the zones that it should be, but I feel like I should be able to go faster. Will need to look at some strengthening drills and spend alot more time in the saddle.? 'Ride lots' is the best advice people will give you when looking for tips on how to get faster cycling, no shortcuts on this one.? I was able to pass two people on the bike but would later get roped in by 24 year old swimmer from St. Xavier who would win his age group and pick up 4th overall.? I was sitting in 6th until about 1 mile from the finish and once again was able to pick up a position by having a speedy transition from bike to swim.

Felt really good about the swim and the water felt GREAT, especially after 30+ minutes on the bike with no gloves on!? For the most part I was strong throughout, keeping even with two guys who were swimmers, one ahead and one behind me.? I felt awesome with the race, nailing my projected time to the second.

Im watching live coverage of Ironman Arizona watching person after person crumble as they cross the finish line, with a euphoric look of 'where am I?' written on their faces.? I sit here in my PJs relaxing, playing the finish on 4th street out in my head 5 months from now.? Its going to take a perfect storm of dedication, endurance, luck and support to get me through and opening the race season makes this all real now.? Time to buckle up and get to work.

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