Mooseman Race

1st Tri of the year.

445 am - Wake up 15 minutes before the alarm clock

450 am get up and start the process. I pretty much prepped everything last night, so it was pretty quick.

500 am try and eat the bagel with peanut butter, but my gag reflex is outta control. Takes me 30 minutes to eat. Also drink some bad coffee.

545 am Get to the race. No where to park, but these really nice people move there car around a little and we slide in.

600 am Set up the bike and my transition area. I am smiling and feeling good.

630 start to see some freinds and my nerves are running high.

645 Go for a quick run with Kate to start the process. I am still a little tired from the Duathlon the week before.

7:00 Throw on the wetsuit and head to the water. Holy Sh-t the water is cold! I put my face in and my breath is taken a way. I am talking so friggin cold it hurts. Keep going under to try acclimate.

7:15 Take a look around and I cannot see the second buoy. Water stil cold, but getting better.

7:30 Race is postponed for 1 hour. This stinks.

8:30 It is announced that the swim is shortend by a third due to visibility.

8:35 - Race starts! Immediatly I start way to hard, again. I am breathing really hard and cannot see a friggin thing. People every where and I cannot see the buoys. Anxiety is completey out of control. Make it to the first buoy but cannot see the second. I continue to swim and follow the pack and finally make it to the second. I have to take off my goggles to get my sense of direction. This suck! I cannot see the the third buoy at all. After 10 minutes I finally get to it. Now I am swimming to the shore and I am in the home stretch. I am very comfortable and in the rythm.

8:55 Out of the water and in transition. I use the wetsuit strippers but they cannot get it off my ankles. I rip it off and head to the bike.

8:56 I am running with my bike and blasting out of transition. I have really improved on my transitions.

8:57 - Have a hard time clipping into my pedals at first, but I am now gone. Roughly 2 or 3 miles in I lose my water bottle, tubes and pump. Perfect. No hydration for the ride and I better not get a flat.

9:20 In an alright rythym, but tired. I should feel better then I do, but push forward. I am passing people but getting passed as well.

9:40 Damn Hamstring. Definetly barking at me.

10:00 Only 7 miles left on the bike and I feel pretty good. I want to get to the run and start passing people. I know the run is my strength and I am excited to get to it.

10:15 Heading out on the run and feel ok. I am running at an alright speed but feel like I should be running faster. I need to due more brick workouts. My legs feel heavier then they should.

10:35 Halfway point on the run and I feel good. I am heading back and start to see a lot of people I know. So motivating.

10:55 Finish the race and hear my name being called. Goosebumps instantly.

10:56 Mom, Dad and Shan are there! Feels so great to see them. I am a little sore, but the excitement of them numbs the pain. Some of my old co-workers are there and it is great to introduce them to my family.

11:00 Kate crosses the line and she looks like she is going to be sick. She pushed it so hard at the end, she almost lost her stomache. Complete nut job, but that is why I love her!