IMAZ Days 34-36: JWT and Beyond

So Saturday, day 34, a BEAUTIFUL day, became an easier day than expected due to timing. I could only fit 55 minutes of working out, comprised of a 30 minute easy but steady run and a 25 minute spin on the bike.

Sunday, Day 35...the JWT olympic distance triathlon. Despite a teasing let up in the rain at about 5:30 am, it rained the entire race, from setup in transition to beyond the finish. While it wasn't POURING, it was pretty annoying. At least it wasn't cold. Into the water with the fourth wave and...I could barely see anything. I found my way OK to the turn buoy and then totally lost my way, became disoriented and pretty much swam in a circle trying to find my way back to shore. I felt fine -- I just couldn't see the buoys or the giant building on shore marking the exit. 25 minutes, passed, 30, 35 -- I finally got out of the water near 41 minutes knowing my race was over. I thought about stopping but then figured I was already wet and needed the workout.

I hopped on my bike -- which was without use of speedometer and odometer due to the magnet being knocked off on my way to the race earlier -- and took off. I powered through the early miles and hills, maintained focus on the bad hills and then really put the hammer down from 10 miles out and even more so later in the ride. I ended up with the 4th fastest bike split, though it may have been first amateur as 2 of the others looked like mistakes.

Off the bike, I hit the run flying. I felt great despite the hard ride. At about 2 miles, we turned on the boardwalk in Playland, and just as the nice volunteer lady was cautioning us as to how slippery it was, I slipped and bounced off of my right arm and hip. Joy. But I got right up and pushed ahead and kept pushing, for the most part, through the finish. I wasn't going all out because I wanted a little something the last mile if I saw anyone, though that was stupid as my competition was about 10 minutes in front of me due to my swim. Ultimately, I ended up with the 3rd fastest run in the field. That and the bike more than made up for the swimming thing. I chalked the whole thing up to a training day.

Day 36, today, I felt really good. Other than my bike legs being a bit tired, I was able to get in a really good 2 hour ride this morning and another 31 minutes at lunch; I'll end the day with a 45-minute run. Distance, baby.