From September 14, 2008

My ’08 triathlon season is officially in the books. The season started off with the California Ironman 70.3 race in Oceanside, CA. This was a good race and something that I trained hard for. I had a good swim and a decent bike, but the wheels feel off on the run (this will not be the last time you see this line). I finished and was extremely proud of myself, not so much about my time but that is was it is, and had a good day and finished with a smile and a tear on my face. I could even walk my bike up the hill to get back to our hotel and made it to dinner, I guess I didn’t leave it all out on the course. Brian Leach my neighbor and a sometime (when he feels like taking it down a notch) training partner also raced and had a good day.
The next race for me was the Newport Beach Sprint Triathlon. This was the first triathlon I ever did last year. I was ready to race after my Half Ironman training and beat my time by over 12 minutes coming in 10th place in my division, I did not say age group. Next year if I can still race Clydesdale I’ll be gunning for top 5. I think I’d rather not be a Clydesdale and race age group.
I than did the Huntington Beach Pier Swim. This is something Tracy has always wanted to do and I figured I would join her. She has done it and swears she will watch me next year with a Starbucks, but I have something to prove since I was very disappointed in my showing at this race.
We than headed up to San Francisco for the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim. We made it a family trip and I think everyone had a good time. Although being really nervous the swim was fantastic and I look forward to doing this race again someday.
After those races I found three races that I thought would be fun. Unfortunately they ending up being lumped together in a three week block, o’well. The first race was the 2.4 mile Waikiki Rough Water Swim in Waikiki, HI. I flew out on Saturday and prepped for the race Monday morning. This race was an adventure, holy smokes was it a lot of swimming. The currents were much stronger than expected and the swim took longer than expected. They say the tide switches every other year so I guess I need to try it again next year J when the current is going towards the finish. I flew out Monday night on the red eye and headed into work from the airport on Tuesday morning. I don’t think I earned my keep Tuesday.
My next race was Sunday, the LA Triathlon. This was my key race last year and I again beat my time by 10 minutes over last year. They changed the bike course this year and that was disappointing. I really enjoyed riding down Hollywood Blvd last year. Again I ran like $hit.
Jack and I flew out to DC on Wednesday to end the season on Sunday with the Nations Triathlon in Washington DC. This was a great race and so much fun to have my parents and, my son, Jack cheering me on. Riding and Running through DC was great fun. The heat & humidity was brutal on the run so once again a $hitty run, but a great race overall.
This year has provided me with lots of encouragement and self pride. I know I need to figure out the run and work hard on it in the off season. I have seen a podiatrist and he thinks he may have the cure for my numb feet, at what it’s costing it better be the cure. If it works it will be a good start to overcome my horrible running. Other than that I think hard work is going to be needed to start running well.