In 2009, the MightyMan Half marked my final ramp-up to my A Race, Ironman Arizona. By contrast, this year's race closed out my season. And by "closed out," I mean it was a last ditch attempt to garner any residual fitness I accumulated preparing for Ironman Lake Placid. Suffice to say, I spent the two months after Lake Placid enjoying beer, food and a break from training.
Anyway, this race ended up being special for three reasons:
- It reminded me that anyone can be made to feel like an amateur if they don't treat an event with respect. Let's just say, my pre-race was a little chaotic with 3 return trips to the hotel to pick up various items that I forgot. I was lucky to have my former teammate Adam shuttling me back-and-forth... By the final trip, he just laughed and said "You're actually an idiot. How have you done this before?!"
- I had the chance to race with my friend Sean. his dad Jack and Jack's friends. Sean had a great race that improved on last year; Jack had a fantastic first Half Ironman and he crushed the bike in particular. And, I got to meet Sean and Jack's (grand)father who was excellent company!
- You lose peak fitness quickly but hard work does end up carry you through. I didn't have a great race and my swim was especially ugly but I still was able to hold it together for a solid ride and a pretty decent half marathon. Nothing to write home about but pretty decent. Oh, and I snagged 1st in Age Group (Men's Under-30).
So, I'll leave you with a few pictures and that will close out the year!
Until 2011, tailwinds!
(Very ugly) Swim exit.
Bike out.
Midway through the bike enjoying my new and improved position.
Bike return.
1st in Age Group
