ITPMan Sept 29th 2008

For many in the Northeast the ITPman is a nice end of season race.  For me this was the start to my fall build up for Ironman Arizona.  The six weeks leading up to this race were dedicated to some quality speed training in the pool and on the bike. I think it paid off.  My run training leading to this race was behind the ball as a foot injury prevented me from proper training.  Here is how the day unfolded.

Swim
-A cloudy day with no sun made it easy to sight the first buoys on the course. 
-Being in the 3rd wave I didnt get a chance to go with the M30+ (Some faster swimmers) and thus I made my way past waves 2 and 1 minus a draft. (Bummer at least it was a short swim!)

Bike
-All out for this
-HAMMER... and watch out for traffic and blind turns.
-Gasp gasp gasp its all anaerobic!
-At last I settle in allowing capilaires in my arms to shut down and open up in my legs.
-Heavy on the gas as I sip some water at mile 10.
-Pass Tim Walton (Fellow TriStar Athlete - Strong biker) who takes on the challenge to ride strong with me.
-Tim passes me back!  Woah Tim... we are putting down 315W! 
-Into T2 feeling like im am warming up.

Run
-This could be trouble....  legs are firing s l  o  w  l   y
-Up hill for the first 1.5mi
-Ahhh downhill and some gatorade for the next mile.
-Is it me or am i running slow.  Really slow! Like slower than my pace for an Ironman Marathon! Ahhh.
-Just keep pluggin
-On the small loop heading towads home other athletes pass me going the wrong way.  "Where are you guys going?" I ask.  Guess they decided to reverse the loop : )  Same distance, different view!
-All down hill to the finish...  YEA BABY.
-Down to the finish and the lactic acid bath is done.  Good training and able to net a 3rd place finish.  Sweet.



Mom and Coach Clff.  Two Red Sox fans....  one die hard and the other to keep the peace at the dinner table with the rest of the Yankee family!  Thanks for your support Mom!

**Next stop NC moutains to start training loooooooong for IM AZ.  See you Nov 23rd in Tempe.