blog (August, 2004)
an' we love to take a biath
Last night, for the morning's planned Bellefaire JCB Biathlon, I prepared performance enhancing substance (Fair Trade Organic from Timor) measured for more punch with Brewed Fresh Daily's suggestions. Thermos-full and empty mug, a bottle of water, two apples and a banana placed surrounding my alarm clock for help in the morning..
Alarm sounds, dreamsequence interrupt, stretch my legs and "this could be ugly," I think, but push on and help myself to most of the goodies I left out.
My warmup ride to the race was quite shorter today than yesterday, and made even shorter in meeting another rider en route who'd been to the race before. He shared some tips with me, as I'd never raced on bike before, and showed me around to get registration and gear in order as I slugged a tug more black gold from the mug I'd toted along. The event turned out to be quite a grander ordeal than I'd expected; many racers, and not just a few of them serious looking.
~17:20 on the 3 mile run was a mediocrity much easier to swallow than my performance in the 5k yesterday. I was happy to be on the roads this time, rather than wet grass, sans spikes.
Two miles into the run, the three runners in front of me were led to make the turn back toward the staging transition area too soon -- at the point where the walkers were to make the turn -- not those racing biath. Dude next to me yelled at them so, but they continued on, and the poorly informed flaggers turned us in the same direction, until a cop car flew down and set us right.
If I am correct in thinking the three in front of me will be unfortunately disqualified, I was first coming into the staging area, and feeling pretty good. Not so serious a race as I'd thought. I corraled Judy, my bicycle, away from the tree I'd leaned her against, helmeted my dome, hopped into the saddle and began the more unfamiliar portion of the race.
A couple stronger riders passed me within the first couple minutes, then four more when I stopped to rework Judy's chain, which slipped off when I threw her in high gear on a downhill. I maintained a quick pedalling cadence and a decent speed, lost a few more places and gained a few. Don't really remember. I counted it in my favor that everyone who passed me had clipless pedals, tight biking clothing on, and nice zoomy bikes. I was sponsored by Mesh Shorts, Tank Top, and Sneakers.
Good times. I mean, the experience. I don't know about the time. Afterward, I gulletted some fruit and bagel slices from the post-race picnic, and headed off to yoga class to try and get some of the kinks out.
familiar faces at the races
Out to the farm today to run with Case Cross Country in their preseason scrimmage. Our alumni squad put up a good fight -- perhaps beating one of the college teams there? I'm not sure how respectable I consider my 19:01 5k, but I rode my bike a good eleven miles out there so's I'd have an excuse for mediocrity, and I stand by that.
On the ride back I saw a sign for a nearby biathlon going off tomorrow at 8:30am. We'll see how my legs enjoy standing up in the morning, and what mood the clouds are in...
Tubesteaks in Paradise
A porky brand of nakedness.
Thanks to everyone near and far who made my birthday and the weekend spectacular.