2006 Eastside Triathlon:

Sunday, July 30, 2006 Well I really thought I was getting into the grove of doing these things and then arrived the morning of this race. I woke up real early and tried not to change my routine much, but I knew I wasn't feeling 100%. For a new triathlete, even the smallest alterations can affect performance and the mental aspect of a race. The swim was a 500 meter open water swim, and as I'm swimming, I'm thinking "man this seems like a long 500 meters, and I'm getting tired, It must be all the junk food and sweets I've been eating the last 2 weeks". Finally I see the finish, I get out of the water and look at my watch, Oh my God I suck. My time is like pushing 15 minutes. I'm thinking " I can't believe how out of shape I've gotten in just a couple of weeks". Immediately the mental gymnastics begin and I start telling myself all the typical bullshit and completely lose focus. Somehow I manage to finish the 15 mile bike ride in a relatively good time for me, but the expended mental energy begins to take it's toll during the rain shortened run. Nevertheless, I did finish. Actually just getting through a race like that after battling yourself is a triumph of sorts for me. And it turns out the swim was closer to 700 meters instead of 500, so I wasn't in as bad of shape as I was telling myself. In fact I had made progress in my open water swim time, and the bike portion, and the run I stayed about the same. My next race is in Temple, Texas on August 13th. I will post pictures when they become available.