Triple T Race 1!

We arrived today in Portsmouth Ohio, Home of the American Triple T, otherwise known as:



It was very hard to leave the dogs at home, especially when they looked at us like this:



But alas, with 4 races waiting we headed down and picked up the outfit that I will be wearing for 3 days of races (yeah, it will stand on its own by Sunday). That's one neat thing about this race. Everyone wears the same thing. Makes it feel like a big team. Very cool and unique (I did wear my Timex visor, though!)



Then time to set up transition for the first of four times in the next 3 days.



And it was time for the prologue- 250 meter swim, 5 mile hilly bike and 1 mile run. Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to resist going out a little too hard for a race of this distance. Here is the start. It is a time trial start with 2 people leaving every 3 seconds.


The water was WAY, WAY warmer this year. Most people, myself included did the race without a wetsuit. Just easier for a race of this distance. And it was very hot tonight. So standing around in a wetsuit for 30 minutes before the start would have been grueling. Here I am headed to T1


The bike went by fast. It's just basically 2 big hills within the park. I took it way more conservatively this year (downhill) because it's just not worth crashing on the first day. But it was very fun. Here I am coming back into T2:



And then off to the run:



Being only 1 mile it's over before you know it. I think my heart rate maxed out around 190. Oops...



All in all a total adrenaline rush! I had a great time and saw a bunch of old friends and met some new ones. Then it was off to carb load and then now to BED! Well, after I spend about 20 minutes doing Trigger Point Massage. 2 very challenging Olympic Distance races tomorrow. 7:30 am and 3pm. Forecast is for 86 degrees and very humid. I'll be wearing my Nathan hydration belt on the run. The results of getting behind in hydration this weekend are NOT pretty.

Talk after the next race!