Getting there

Ok, so I read my last post and actually got back to the gym the last few days. Feels great actually. Taking today off and not racing tomorrow, but I am volunteering. I enjoy the volunteering part a lot. It allows me to give a little back and help others starting out. My first tri was tough, but I had a great support group. I joined the Sandy Hookers tri club early on and attended their training sessions and I also joined a tri clinic... These both prepared me for my first day...

Where has the time gone? How do we keep up?

Training is tough. It takes tons of time and after 6 months of it you want to just take a break. While at an event last night to prep for this weekend's War at the Shore, someone said to me that nothing matters but your mental fitness. I have been thinking about this statement and must say "IT CAN'T BE TRUER!"

Fact is, while the topic of conversation revolved around pushing out the last mile and moving from sprints, to Olympic length and up the line and how you need to be mentally strong to get through a race, your overall mental fitness as a whole is the real key. So what is mental fitness? I have no clue, but I can tell you what I think from my personal experience.

Here it is, I have been bummed the last few weeks. Started a new job and it has me travelling and working late. I lost my groove and I know it's all about shaking it off, but I just don't care. In June I was in the best condition of my life and now, while still working out (not regularly) I lost the routine and desire. My mental fitness is crushing my desire to work out. Some folks work out to find their release, me I like to cook and eat... So how do you overcome the mental hiccup? Tell you when I do it.

48 Hours after SI Flat as a Pancake...

What a day! First, thanks to all those that came out to support me at the race Monica, Jeff, Julie, Nick, Matt and Jocelyn... We could not have done it without your support. Next, thanks to Brian and Christine and baby Em' that came after to celebrate with us... Lastly, thanks to Eddie who came up with this crazy idea and finished the race with me...

Also, thanks to the Sandy Hookers Tri Club for helping to prep me with some real experiences, good training, countless tips and fun people to work out with. Thanks to Christine at Shore Runner for starting her Tri Clinic and Coach Tom Manzi for his words of encouragement as well as training tips and tricks.

My finish was 1:23 and I placed 346 out of 598. I am extremely pleased with this first race... I know I can do better, but here are some thoughts...

1. Make a list and prep and pack the night before.
2. Get there early and set up... I can't tell you how good it felt to be all ready and not wondering if I missed anything.
3. Walk the transition area and know where the entrances and exits are... Ask questions! The volunteers are there to help and don't mind.
4. Be patient. When getting started, if it's your first time, don't rush just move at your pace, whatever that may be. At your pace you will look, feel and be confident... You will finish.
5. Respect the other competitors... Some are stronger than you others are weaker. Remember this is a race so strive to stay with the strong, but don't get in their way nor should you attack, insult or holler at a weaker competitor...
6. Move in and out of the transition area as quickly as you can. Don't meander or take it as a coffee break. You are still on the clock.
7. Watch your nutrient intake... Don't get hooked on the gels and other foods especially those that have caffeine. While it is a great addition to a race, too much caffeine will get your heart going and make it tough to breath. Trust me, when my bpm was spiked at 101% I had to walk for 50yds. to catch my breath and slow my heart rate... I felt like I was hyperventilating...
8. Respect the other people in the transition area. You need your space, but so do the people on your sides. Try to keep your stuff on your mat and stay out of the lanes when changing.
9. When you are looking at the water and the race director hollers 1 minute to start, take a second to appreciate what you are about to do... Then remember bullet point number 4 above.
10. Say thanks... I have volunteered at a number of these events while preparing to compete this weekend and nothing is nicer than hearing a competitor say thanks for the water, or for cleaning up or for just volunteering and being there. Without them we don't race and to me that is important - so say thanks...

My next race is July 19th. It is the second of the Long Branch Tri Series put on by the Sandy Hookers Triathlon Club. It is an awesome, fun race in a beautiful location. Hopefully the waves won't be so big this time, but regardless I will be ready...