Cross Training

I have always wanted to try a triathlon but with so much concentration on MTB racing there never seemed to be a good weekend to do it.  I never wanted to give up a day of racing/training and also not wanting to do the dreaded leg killer, the run.  But this past weekend everything fell into place.  I had no racing and I fit the day into my training.  I went into the triathlon with clear goals.  Do not drown, dominate the bike, run slow enough to not get soar the next day.  For the most part mission accomplished.

I rented a wet suit for the swim and OMG did it save me.  When I submerged I was instantly forced back to the top because of it's buoyancy.  This was an awesome feeling considering when I usually enter the water this 158# body of muscle and bone sinks faster than a weighted brick  I frog stroked the over half the swim and finished in about 9 minutes.  I then took way too long on the bike transition but managed to get out.  I instantly felt at home and put down some good numbers.  I passed over 10 guys making up couple minutes on each putting me in 3rd overall after then bike.  The only guy I did not manage to put time into is the TT/Tri specialist Jeff Juntti.  Damn he can put down a TT.  I had the 2nd best bike of the day with a 30:02 and he smashed it with a 28:58.  The next biker was over 2:30 minutes behind me.  I had another slow transition but was now on the run.  I stayed the same speed the whole time keeping my HR low.  I was passed by 2 runners. Danny Dehilin passed me like I was running on my knees.  My bike gave me enough of advantage to keep 5th overall.  What a blast of a day.  I didn't drown, I had a great bike, I'm not soar from the run, and I took 5th overall in my first triathlon.  The danger is I liked it to much.  Maybe in a few years I'll give this triathlon thing a shot.