MooseMan - Post Race Report (Kinda')

I landed in Boston's Logan Airport late Friday night, and actually did not end up putting my head on the pillow until close to 2am. Either way, I was happy to be home in Gloucester, and waking up there is a gift even without sleep. I came down stairs the next morning to a nice warm day. My Mother was telling me how hot it was, and unbearable the heat was going to be. Little did I know, there was a heat wave in the North East! It felt like a Texas winter to me, so i was psyched. The thought of all these poor new englanders overheating the following day on the race course, and me wanting arm warmers was spectactular.

So, my mother and I head for the hills. Literally we took off for the foot hills of the white mountains, and one of the top ten cleanest lakes in the US - Newfound Lake. We arrived at the race site around 1500, after a short detour to the outlets(i was with my mom). I have done Lonestar, and Longhorn 70.3's so I was not surprised that the Jordan's and their awesome team(Endorfun) put together an awesome venue. If you ever have a chance to do one of their races(Lonestar(TX), Mooseman(NH), Timberman(NH), or Longhorn(TX), do it. No other race director can compete with Endorfun.

I picked up my number, made sure my bike was working, and took off for the little lake cottage that I rented for 99$! I was nervous about how that was going to turn out, but it was actually perfect. On the way there, we stopped and had an enormous turkey dinner(not sure if that was smart, but it was good, not to be repeated). I settled down for a few hours sleep, and the tryptophan helped that endeavor.

I woke up Sunday, pleased that I didn't have to wear a sweatshirt to the race( for New England even in the summer this is rare). I got there, got warmed up, donned the wetsuit, and headed for the frigid, but beautiful waters. I had been a little nervous about Mooseman, 1- the sizeable climbs that were on both the bike and run course, and 2- i had a pretty bad cough for the past two weeks. I felt okay during my high end shake outs the previous week, so I had some comfort in that.

Time to swim! The elite wave took off first, and I hung on to whom must have been Nick Dufresne for about 300 yards. But, I was not hanging on to his dolphin feet. Then, shit suddenly hit the fan, my goggles were filled with cold northern water, wearing contacts, i got a little nervous and flustered, because I could not sight. So, I settled in with a pack, because I could see underwater, and I could focus on there kicks. Triathlon is funny, no matter what happens in a race, I always learn something. I have had a big problem with drafting in the swim. I know how effective it is, but everytime I do it, its effectiveness scares me into going alone. I always feel like im going to slow, so I get out of the draft. Mooseman was the exception, I couldn see, and had no choice but to stay with that little pack. So a pretty easy swim brought me into transition at 26 minutes, and out in 5th place.

But, the cough caught up with me(not the way i thought it would, but it did). I think the cold water kept it at bay, but i needed to let one out. I produced a deep booming cough and when i opened my eyes and looked up, i was headed for the woods. Luckily i rode into a ditch, but i went over the handlebars, and landed on a tree stump, then the top tube slammed on my manly nether region. it happened so quick, before i knew it, there were volunteers and cops helping me out of my hole. The cop got some of the dirt out of my eyes, and i made sure my bike was ok, and lost alot of my nutrition in the forest. Pretty shooken up, dirty, and bleeding, i got back on the bike, but in 16th place. I am not sure how much time I lost. as the endorfuns eased up, it became apparent that I was pretty banged up on my left knee, and every crack in that new england road, i felt on my boys. It was pretty uncomfortable. I wanted to stop multiple times, but kept with it, because i knew i could run some people down in the heat. i got in off the bike, and began the run. about 3 miles in i pulled the flag, my left knee couldn't take it.

My first DNF, but also my first crash in a race. I am dissapointed, but I did get to see my family, catch up with tri-nuts from the norhteast (Amanda, Pat, Nick) This will just fuel my fire for Providence in July. I went to the doctor about the cough that caused the crash on tuesday, and I had a 100 degree fever. So for now I am doped up on antibiotics, and some crazy cough syrup. I am pretty fit, my splits weren't bad considering the crash. I'll be back.

Mooseman half iron

I promise ill catch up and blog soon. But for now I thought you would all appreciate that I almost forgot this. It would have been 56 miles out of the saddle!
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Boston bound!

My bike and me are outta here!
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Back to Gloucester

Umm, yea! Home sweet home. This is where I'll be for the next two weeks. I will be chillin with the family, at the beach, training my ass off, and eating the best food in the world.

I was planning on bringing Jasper, but there is no way I can afford it, so the pooch won't be able to plunge into the atlantic just yet.

I hope to get some miles in with Janda as well, while I am home. I will be laying out a solid couple weeks for Mooseman while i am home, which is good, because I might get a re-taste for new england hills, compared to my texas tortilla flat ass roads now.

I opted out of Boise for a couple reasons. Yes, I eventually want to race up there, but Mooseman offers another trip home, as well as a for-shizzle bad ass race put on by EndorFun.

My little Brother Kieran graduated from HS, and my little niece gets christened while i am home as well. I have missed so many things over the past few years, and I can't wait to be able to be home for a few important days.

Lonestar - Galveston HIM - Race Report

Lonestar Half IM came and went, quicker than I expected. I finally arrived at packet pickup around 1805(five minutes late!). Nevertheless, I got my packet, checked out the scene, ate some grub, and went to bed.

0430 – The alarm sounds. “%#?$” I totally forgot what it is like to wake up so early, so that I can put myself through numerous hours of pain and mental testing. I brought Jasper out to take a leak before departure for the race, and it was windy. Not killer winds, but a consistent presence. Not what I wanted to feel as I mentally prepared.

Arriving at Moody Gardens, and trying to find a parking place, I ended up planting myself next to the Mavic guys. I met Jason Vivion, the local ORBEA rep, and an integral part in getting my new ride. Thanks again Jason!

I warmed up, used the facilities, got my transition ready, and was on the pier in perfect timing. This rarely happens to me! I plunged into Galveston Bay, and not bad for March.

0730 – The race begins. I felt awesome in the water and held onto the lead man until we cut separate lines, his was better, damn. The swim felt like it was never going to end, and the collective answer was because it was long, I don’t think one person broke 28 minutes! So I was happy to get out with a nice cushion on the field, and looking at the results not too far savage swimmer Chris Sustala. I have found it is harder to swim fast in the front empty elite waves, when you are swimming with hundreds of bodies it is way more motivating. I also need a new wetsuit, mine of 5 years has shrunk beyond the limits I can push it.

Running out of the water, awesome to hear Adam formerly of Jack and Adam’s of Austin, screaming the play by play. I grabbed my bike, thought, “damn this thing is light”, and went on.

The word for my 2008 season is “cycle”! The weakest of my three, is something I will work continuously to get better, faster, and stronger. I have and I will press on. I knew it would be a matter of time before the like of Mark Brooker would come screaming by. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t happen for a while. We did not have a true tail or head wind, just a bunch of cross wind, which made for a windy day, but it could have been worse. I grimaced the entire ride pushing and pushing, almost trying to prove that I know how to ride a bike. Seeing Sugar Cycles out on the race course was awesome, and motivating. Thanks guys! Turning back down towards Moody Gardens with the only tail wind for a half mile was a gift, I was moving and I was about to finish the bike course. I ended up averaging 23 mph, and not losing much time to the field. The ORDU is a stiff ride, and I feel like every watt goes directly to the drive train. I was in the aero position for 56 straight flat miles, and felt comfortable as ever. I finished the bike in 6th place.

Time to run. I definitely did not eat enough on the bike, I felt kind of hungry at the run start. My first 4 miles were druising at 530 pace, but then slowly I faded. It got pretty hot out there, and I gave it all I had. I pulled off a 1:23 run split.

Finishing the day in 4th place overall with a time of 4:21, and very content. It is only March, and I have a long season ahead. This race gave me a great benchmark of what I can achieve this season. Thanks to everyone for all there support out there.

In other news, we had some great performances out there this weekend: Kelly Carrington got 5th overall female with a new PR, John Robertson(I will get you one day) pulled of a 2nd Overall, Mark Brooker(Texas version of Norman Stadler) 5th Overall, Natilie Miller P.R., and Kathleen killed the Aquabike, but then got warm water :(. Last but definetly not least, TRIGREYHOUND had a great race surprising himself with his pace throughout. Congrats!

FACT: Kieth and Claire Jordan from EndorFun, the race directors for Lonestar, Longhorn, Timberman, and Mooseman are true professionals. No race can compete with them, they think of everything, and I would travel anywhere to do there racers.