The Big Secret...

Most of you know that I have a big event coming up the end of this month. Personally, I have a lot riding on this upcoming race. I always want to do well, but this triathlon has a little added extra personal challenge... I figured it fitting, and completely within my own rights, to prepare my body and mind in the way that will serve me best. Trying to get back into triathlon form in 8 weeks is not a "ohh-hum" type of task, I am reverting back to what got me here. The training as of this moment will remain undisclosed for various reasons.

However, I will disclose (post mission) a little thing called "Operation Brodacious." Operation Brodacious was my one time to test my limits, and answer the question that has plagued me for six months..."Do I still have what it takes?" I wanted to race, but found it in my best interest to race under an alias, Sir Brodacious Bry.

I figured being a test event I was there to simply do that, test. I didn't have the pressure of answering questions, finishing well, or having my competitors perform any type of recon since very few know who the heck Sir Brodacious is...this was G-14 Classified. Three people knew of the mission, one subsequently disclosed and is now on notice, potentially being court marshalled... I don't feel bad for not disclosing, I decided that I was committing to returning to triathlon, no big return proclamations necessary.

After all, a very wise scholar once said, "when challenged a triathlete does what it takes, there's no explanation or justification needed." Probably should mention that the "scholar" was me...and I just made that up. ha ha As for the race, not bad at all. Much exceeded my own expectations, deep down I know I still have what it takes.

Competition has always been important, it's nice to feel the pressure and thrill of it again, I'm an Aries after all. The race served as a nice test leading up to the big official return. I was debating divulging splits...for competition purposes mystery is always nice. However, I will disclose, it doesn't matter who reads this, it is what it is. It will all sort itself out very soon.

Going into the swim I was a little unsure. I have been swimming for 6 weeks after taking 6 months off. I have swam a 14 minute 1000 yards a few times, not impressive based on previous times. I was placed in the last heat with some ridiculous 500 times, like a 5:10 estimate...nothing like coming out the swim a minute and a half down. I wasn't worried, the super fast swimmers and usually just that...swimmers, not triathletes.

I kept a lookout for the fastest swimmers two lanes over, by lap 5 they had at least 20 yards on me. Not all bad though, I came out of the pool ahead of a few, about a minute or a little more to the leaders, with a split of 6:37. I had a great transition and scuffed off a few seconds on the leaders.

I fly'n mounted my P3 for the first time and put the fire to the pedals. Within a mile and a half I had caught the leaders, I was riding super confident because I could tell they were not going to be able to ride with me. I rode super hard the whole race, much harder than I ever have. I tried to calm down but I was so thrilled to be back racing and riding that I couldn't contain myself. There was one long hill near the turn around that threatened my redline a little, but still wasn't enough to make me ride like I knew I should, too much fun. I stayed in the aero position through the corners, minimizing head and torso movement until I hit T2. I came in and left smooth, felt good. I was very happy with my ride, I average over 23 mph with a big hill, should be fast enough to save total embarrassment later this month. :)

I left on the run and figured I wasn't going to control what was going to happen, I haven't been running, I had run 15 minutes as a long run. I couldn't afford to risk another knee injury or shin splint etc by going volume crazy. So I didn't. This 5k would be my longest run since 2008. I was pleasantly surprised with my turnover, foot strike, and leg recovery. I hit mile one thinking, "I will blow up, I can't sustain this." Mile two, same thing no problems at all. I was pretty happy to be running again without injury, and racing. "This comeback might actually materialize and play out. Mile three, still no problems, had a hard finish and felt very winded, but not totally thrashed.

"Did that just happen?" I was very satisfied with my 5k split (20:25) after riding like maniac with no self-control. I finished well overall, won by about 100 seconds over my fast friend Adam. On top of that, for winning, I received two free round trip tickets on Alaskan Airlines...not bad. More importantly I proved a lot of things to myself in the process. I know that the alternative training I have been doing (topic for another post) contributed to where I am physically. I faced some seriously low times with the knee injury (and return of it) but I beat it. I faced it and beat it...again. The race should be fun...who's up for a showdown?