Running and maybe some other stuff: September 2010

Last Saturday I did a local sprint triathlon in Douglas, Massachusetts. It's called the TDD Triathlon, which is a memorial race for three triplet boys, Tyrus, Dante and Daniel, of a local triathlete couple. The race also acts as a fundraiser for the UMass Neonatal ICU in Worcester, MA.

Quick highlights:
The distances: 0.25 mile swim / 11 mile bike / 3 mile run
My overall race finish time: 1:20:28

Pictures further below

The SWIM was a relatively short adventure in a calm, fresh water lake. (You all know how much I love the swim...not.) Well, despite how short it was, I still wore my wetsuit, and while that helped me keep afloat during the swim, I had one heck of a time stripping that thing off me in the transition area. I easily lost nearly an extra minute squirming around on the grassy field of the transition area trying to wiggle my feet out of the tight legs of the suit. Nope, no wetsuit strippers to help tear that suit off me. Next time I'll use something on my legs to make removing the wetsuit easier (some say PAM cooking spray works well, go figure).

The BIKE course started out on the grass, just past the transition area, and then included a short 50 yard section on dirt and gravel which was a bit dicey, but then made its way onto some nice country roads with lots of rolling hills. Up, down, up, down - it was relentless but by the time I warmed up on the bike, I was headed right back into the transition area to start the run.

The RUN was along the same country roads as the start of the bike course, so also had a couple small rolling hills along with a stretch towards the finish going downhill on dirt, rock and gravel giving me a quick flashback to my summer of hiking and trail running.

Overall a great little race. There was always a great crowd in the main transition and finish area cheering all the competitors on, and out there on the course, the usual supportive exchanges, "lookin' good" and "keep it up", etc. among athletes. Not a lot of frills, but that's ok since it was so short and quick, I'd race it again.