Spring Festival Triathlon

Training and racing are very cyclical.  I believe the key to success is to stay humble in the high points and hang tough when you're riding out the lows.  That is easier said than done.

*In a word, "Focused."

When I am sharp it's almost effortless, when I have weeks like the last one, it's frustrating, seems impossible, and makes me question what I am doing.  If you can just hang in there during those tougher moments, I promise you, you'll come out feeling like a million bucks.  I was telling myself that exact same thing all week long. "Just hang tough, Bryan.  It'll come around, just stick with it"  At the end of the day, it's just a race, and if you do your best then you're good.

The difference between winning and losing often times has nothing to do with either. I took every ounce of frustration from last week and channeled it into one of my best early season races ever. To take adversity and use it to fuel progress is "winning," regardless of the numerical placing. I took the opportunity to better myself and reflect on "Why am I doing this?"

*Terri, Ayla, Sarah, me, and Laine, all dreamers.

I wanted to start this post with something that is very close to my heart.  Ayla is now in full triathlon mode and racing as much as I do.  Her dad was inspired by her triathlon adventures and is training for his first race.  I take a certain amount of pride for the [probably minuscule, but material to me] part I played in getting them both involved in this adventure. I looked in Laine's eyes when he was telling me about all this training he was doing and saw the spark. 

Although to what extent can be debated, I contributed to changing both of their lives for, at the very least, the time being.  I feel so lucky with all the positive feedback I have been getting from people I help, my sponsors and their promotional materials, and people who follow my website, people who think I have something worthy to contribute. No matter how many more races Ayla does, she will always have that little part of me, that spark from way back when, built into her triathlon and swimming foundation.

Don't think for a second that I don't understand how powerful that is, or that I would ever be naive enough to think that people only care about me winning.  The bottom line is people don't.  They respect me for winning and what it takes, but ultimately there has to be more than just winning, and I don't lose sight of that. 

*The weather teased us a little before raining. :/

With a slight improvement in weather, and a very focused mindset, I executed one of the best game plans ever, and ripped off one of the most satisfying race performances I can remember.  Having that happen, and spending the day with my triathlon friends left me spinning, there is no better feeling in this world.

It was such a treat to see the Budu crew again.  Rory, Deanna, and Jenna greeted me with a big smile and even bigger hugs. Even when I am at a race by myself, I can always count on Jenna and Deanna cheering for me while they work away managing the race. Their family has become an extension of mine.  

*Sarah made it to her first race. She was so cute in cheering and taking pictures.  Imagine if someone invited you to a new place and then figuratively said, "I am going to disappear for an hour or two, fend for yourself." She handled it well, it was nice to have her there, I think she had fun. 

My plan for the swim was to stay smooooth.  I have a brand new wetsuit that is super warm and fits great.  The advances between my $249 eight-year old wetsuit of last year in comparison to this $600 wetsuit is amazing. New tri wetsuits are amazing,  I am so happy with it.  It really helped with the cold water and I didn't have any hotspots at all.

*Mmmm neck to ankle neoprene is so flattering :)

The swim started and I was gone. I didn't see another arm, leg, or splash of another swimmer the whole swim.  By the end of the relatively short swim, the gap was busted wide open and I was through T1 with the chasers pursuing.

*Chaos ensues

*Going clear.

*That's my arm...ha ha

*Goggles off...

*Unzip...

*Strip it off.

*A big thank you to Hammer Nutrition for the amazing green kit and for all the amazing products that make me look and feel great.

The bike went great. My plan was to ride smooooooth.  I navigated the entire bike course keeping an even pace.  I would even call my pace fairly subdued.  I focused on my breathing, being still, and not loading my legs.  I rode relaxed, and when I checked the gaps at the bike turnaround I knew I was sitting in a very good spot.

*Heading out on the bike.

*Ayla's swim exit, smiling.

*Centering my weight on the fast downhill before a corner. Lean into it, the weight goes to the outside foot and inside hand.

*Bike to run, bay bay!

*An empty and lonely transition 2.

*It's run time, boy!

My new friend, Jack Toland, who is a super biker had bridged some time on the bike and came into transition 2 as I was leaving.  Brian Houck, the best runner in the field was holding strong in third.  After changing into my green kicks after my subdued bike leg, I was fresh and ready to run.  Mile 1 came really easy and all the gaps held.  Mile 2 was tough because we were running up hill into the wind.  I focused again on staying smooth.  

*Climbing up the hill, time to do work, Green Machine.

Approaching the final mile I was still running super smooth and feeling great.  I peeked behind and there was no immediate threat.  I honestly should have been running harder, I had more to give, but I stayed in my comfort zone knowing that I had it all sealed up. There is a high that I get when I look back and know I'm going to win, why spoil that with a gut wrenching effort? :) 

*Pounding down the hill to the finish.

All I had to do was run comfortably to the finish, fix my hair, and smile like a goon :)  I was finally going to win here, this was a great day, the last half mile was effortless. It also helped to have the cheers of my friends and a very pretty blonde. :)

*I'm too nice of a guy to lie, I am fixing my hair-do in this pic. Gotta' look good for the finish :)

*Ayla finishing, let me guess...smiling?

*Now we both be smilin', yo. Ayla rocked her age division with a 1st place performance.

I had such a good time, I don't think I quit smiling until I was at home.  Everyone seemed very happy with the day, Ayla did fantastic, and my tri friends all had great performances. This was a great day that I will remember for a long time.

*Win or lose, I will always shake your hand.

*Sharing the podium with two race-machines, Brian Houck (left) and Jack Toland. Ironically, Brian had the fastest run, I had the fastest swim, and Jack had the fastest bike split.

On Sunday I stopped in CDA, Idaho to watch my buds, Evan and Aubrey.  They both did awesome at the half marathon while I rode my bike along the course to cheer them on.  I enjoyed our time together.

Since it is Memorial Day Weekend, I would like to say thanks to all of those who do so much for all us so that we may remain free from fear and oppression. The sacrifices of so many people make it possible for lucky recipients like myself to live our dreams. You are all heroes in my eyes and we are all indebted to those who have sacrificed for others.  This is a great country and we are all lucky to be Americans.