Long Branch Triathlon

Today I participated in the Long Branch Triathlon as a practice run for the upcoming Danskin triathlon. For folks that don't know I signed up for the Danskin Triathlon scheduled in September (this is my second year, yeah!). I thought running today's tri would be good practice. Here is my take on the three legs of the run.

I didn't do too bad on the swimming portion considering I've done very little swimming practices. Can I do better? Sure I can but I was pleasantly surprised at my performance. Then came biking-- this was quite awful! I have been biking regularly to prepare for Danskin and have been feeling really good about it-- until today. I didn't feel comfortable on the bike at all. The course was only 9 miles but at about mile 6 or so I started to get a sharp pain by my left hamstring (my left hamstring has been a constant problem). I ended up stopping after the pain became really strong (after all this was not my official race but merely a dress rehearsal). I re-adjusted, stretched a bit and drank some much needed Gatorade. The few minutes that I lost doing this was worthwhile because I was able to get on the bike again with no pain, felt completely re-energized and cruised down the last few miles. I still didn't feel completely comfortable on the bike so I think I need to re-adjust my seat height or maybe even get a new bike. The bike portion made me realize that clearly my training is not up to par and that I need to make changes if I want to be successful at the Danskin race.

The last leg of the race was running. I was exhausted by this time but running is my strongest point so I just had to do it. It was hot and we had to run on the boardwalk which was filled with people and crying kids and I forgot to take off my bike shorts (ok, so I'm being a cry baby)! It wasn't my best run but I did it and I finished it and to me that's success.

All in all I expected to do much better. The distance for this triathlon is a few miles shorter than Danskin and I was expecting good times. This race woke me up and made me realize that even though I thought my training was adequate that well, its not!! Like we say in spanish "me voy a poner las pilas!!". I'm going to adjust my training so I can be ready for Danskin in another month. I know I can do it, I just need to put my mind to it.