70.3 World Championships - Clearwater 2007

First of all, watching a triathlon, especially one like that is flipping motivating. To be able to watch that at the beginning of my off season is truly a gift. A gift, because it will motivate me. I will remember the swim splits people were dishing out, that will help me take the plunge into cold pools(my least favorite part of triathlon), I will remember the pained look on peoples faces as they came in off the 56 mile bike course, and i will never forget how it gets hot as soon as the run starts. I will carry these thoughts through 2008 until I arrive ready in Clearwater. Every day counts.

Houston, Sugar Cycles', and the Tri Commune Senior Board Member Kelly Carrington had an amazing day. She left nothing out there, and truly had a great day. On the second loop, she ran by me without me seeing her, because she is so short/and so fast, and said, "Liam, my feet are numb, is that bad?" I assured her it was normal, and she whipped up a 1:37 half, and took 24 minutes off her best, for a new P.R. of 5:04:04 !! Damn. Congratulations Kelly!

My coach, Janda Ricci-Munn, did it. His last amateur race, and he took the overall amateur title at the World Championships posting a 3:58:01 ! Absolutely unbelievable. I have never watched his race before, to see him tread through with a determined pain on his face was awesome. No computer on his bike, no watch on his wrist, Janda knows only one speed, all out. I watched the whole race with his girlfriend Michelle, and we had a great day getting sun-burnt, trying to figure out splits(like we had never done it before), and crossing our fingers. Trust is everything with a coach. Going into a race, nothing is more important than trusting your fitness. I know a lot of triathletes that before every race freak out, you need to know your fitness is there. Trusting your coach (note-a lot of variables go into a good coach), all along the season, is huge. I have always trusted Janda, and after watching him race, I really know why.

Life is experiences, period. Experiences without the people we meet along the way are usually empty in comparison. Triathlon has enabled me to meet so many great people.

A couple years ago, during the cancelled 2005 USAT National Championship in Kansas City, MO I met Shannon and Keith Porges. They are from Sharon, MA, so fortunately our lives intertwine ever so often and we get to see eachother. Shanon raced this past weeekend, with a new P.R. OF 5:16! It was great to see her and Keith during the weeknd. Keith, thanks for the Sox shirt, your the man.

Andrew Strong, a Houston Lawyer, and full time triathlon savage was also competing this weekend. I met Andrew on a weekend trip to Michigan to compete in the Steelhead 70.3. This was after Andrew did IM France, before he did IM Louisville and qualified for KONA, then did Clearwater. Andrew is not only a machine, he is a great guy(And his wife, Denise rocks), and it has been great getting to know him and looking forward to sitting on his wheel all winter.

The world is small, but the triathlon world is smaller.
We met Todd and Diane at the hotel this weekend, Todd who did IM Florida(sub 9:40) 6 days before clearwater 70.3(4:32!). Todd and Diane had met my good friend Trent Stephens a week earlier in P-City. Small world. We got to spend some time with them over the weekend, and they are simply put great people. Todd is also crazy(certifiable). I am not talking about doing an IM, then a half six days later, he pays people to drop him off a helicopter in the winlderness so he can snowboard. Yes, certifiable. Get this, they live in Coast Guard City, USA(Grand Haven, MI). I hope to get up there and hang. His wife's accent is awesome, "don't you know!"

A great weekend, and a great season. Clearwater is a great venue and a beautiful place to have a race, but if they don't do something creative to stop cheaters from drafting, I believe the event will continue to lose all its credability. I hope they do something, because it is a problem. I wish drafters(I am hesitant to call them triathletes/athletes) got disqualified for drafting. It is the one part of the sport that is incomprehensible. Triathlon is a test, on ourselves, on what we can achieve by puching our bodies to the limit. Drafting is the antithesis of the sport.