A PROUD MOMENT

Last weekend I have briefly returned to New England for a special occasion to attend Damian's hooding and graduation ceremonies at Franklin Pierce University in Ringe, New Hampshire. On that weekend he officially became Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) joining me in this distinction ('11). This celebration also provided an especially poignant moment for me and my family, as I have been offered the privilege of hooding Damian as an Alumnus of the University. Attending the hooding ceremony also provided me with the opportunity to meet and re-connect with the University's faculty. It was great to see them again.

Damian being hooded - a very proud moment, indeed. I think he might be a bit taller than me.

Another special moment

With the faculty of Franklin Pierce University DPT program - we will miss you. Also, there is another Ironman in this picture.

A moment of relaxation

With proud parents

A family picture with Kasia i Ania

"CODE ORANGE" IN KNOXVILLE

I think, this is how I will remember my last week's race in Knoxville, TN. The race weekend was to be wet and cold, and the forecast did not "disappoint." I woke up to a rainy sky and arrived at the transition about 4:45AM with plenty of time to pump up the tires and recheck the gear. In a steady rain, I went for my customary 15-minute warm-up run. I felt very good and light on my feet thinking about the next five hours of racing in these rather unusual weather conditions.

Following a an 800-meter walk to the swim start, the gun went off at 7AM and the first wave of athletes plunged into the 58-degree Tennessee River. My wave's start came up a few minutes later and to my surprise I found the water temperature rather comfortable. Swimming against the slight river current for the first 1/3rd of the distance, I was quickly able to get into a rhythm and find enough open water. I felt very good during the entire 1.2-mile swim and smiled when I finally reached the swim exit in 35 minutes. It turned out to be the fifth time split in my age group.

Next, a 500-meter run to the transition area. As soon as I peeled off my wetsuit I started feeling the effects of the cold water swim coupled with the cold ambient air temperature and a steadily falling rain. This was not the first time I have raced in such challenging conditions, except that this time I may have underestimated the potential deleterious effect of the cold air and rain combination. Nevertheless, I decided to start the bike in my singlet and tri-shorts. My thinking was that in the course of the 56-mile ride I will soon warm up and be able to handle the inclement weather conditions. Well, I should have thought twice about that. As soon as I left the transition, I realized that I may have made a tactical mistake. Within the first couple of miles I felt my body becoming hypothermic, even though, I was able to ride the first 10 miles at about 20 mph. The next 10 miles became tougher. The speed had dropped as my body continued losing temperature. Holding the handlebars became more challenging especially during the descents, and later during the ascents, as well. Eventually, by the 30-mile mark my vestibular system started to get affected, and while I dreaded that moment, I decided to make the decision to call it a day. By that time, the temperature dropped down to 53F.

Indeed, it was a tough decision to make at that time but I am glad I made it. I have a lot of racing left this season and my focus and energy have already shifted to training for the upcoming races. One thing is for certain, I have learned yet another valuable lesson and I am sure there will be more of those to come.

Yes, I still plan to be back in Knoxville in 2014

FIFTY EIGHT DEGREES AND FALLING

This was the water temperature reported this morning in the Tennessee River which will serve as the swim venue for the Rev3 Knoxville 70.3 Grand Prix race. It has been quite cold here too, so there is a real chance for the temperature to drop even further by tomorrow morning.

The practice swim at noon. Brrrrrr

A combination of an upstream/downstream swim under a rainy sky. There were athletes swimming without a wet suit. The temperature is only 6 degrees higher than the "cold plunge" where I do my contrast bath therapy after training.

Rev3 knows how to do things right. The University of Tennessee Volunteers offered their boat house to athletes so they could stay warm and dry. By-the-way, the transition area is fully enclosed sheltering our investments from the weather elements A nice touch, indeed.

A part of the Rev3 racing tradition is the "ugliest wetsuit" competition. Caldwell offered an awesome artistic performance and wore an equally memorable attire to win a new Blue Seventy wetsuit. Did I say it has been raining?  

On Friday night, Rev3 organized a fundraising 5K run to honor victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. All the proceeds from the race went to benefit a victim of that horrible day, a University of Tennessee team swimmer who lost one of her legs in one of the explosions. Interestingly enough, more people registered for this run than the number of athletes registered to race tomorrow.

With Rachel and Bryan. Running into each other at the 5K run. Rachel is a first-year professional and Bryan is good enough to be one.

The atmosphere was festive. One of the teams is putting final training touches before the 5K.

The finish line in the center of the athlete village. It will be loud and buzzing with excitement in less than 24 hours.

And the winners' podium

The Marriott, where I have been staying, has been buzzing with excitement for a different reason. It was the host hotel of the "Street Rod Nationals South's" attendees. Here are a few examples.

A 1934 Chevy and Ford

Another 3AM wake up call tomorrow. Hopefully, to a clear sky.

RACING TEXAS STYLE

Wind, wind, and more wind, appears to be the reality of training and racing in the south, although, the overall mild weather conditions have been conducive to commencing an early racing season this year. I have always though and felt that wind must be one of the most demoralizing elements of racing for triathletes, though, I no longer think so. The past few months of working and training in Mississippi exposed me to the relentless winds and well-prepared me for the mental and physical realities of racing in the South.

That preparedness came right in time for Ironman Texas 70.3 in Galveston at the beginning of April. I was not sure how to feel about the long drive to Galveston, but in the end, the 400+ mile "course" across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas could not have been more enjoyable. After arriving, I stayed about 30 miles away from the race venue. This time, half way between Galveston and Houston, and next door to the NASA Space Center with an easy 20-minute drive to the transition area.

From start to finish. A very good day in Galveston

This race had well over 2,000 registered athletes and the swim was divided into nineteen waves with the Professional Athletes jumping in the water at 7:00 AM. My group started the race at 8:20 AM in the protected waters of the beech resort. This was a deep-water swim start and wetsuits were allowed due to the water temperature hovering about 62F. I had a good swim, athough, I was not quite sure how well will my left shoulder hold up following the surgery and rehab. In the end, I exited the water in 36 minutes.

After a rather long run into T1 I was soon on the bike and heading out for the 56-mile ride along the coast. The wind was noticeably strong and required focused attention from the riders, especially those who chose to ride on the deep rims. The course was safe (out-and-back) and for the most part sheltered from the vehicular traffic. Despite the windy conditions I averaged almost 22 mph to arrive at T2 in 2 hours and 34 minutes.

Bicycles for as far as an eye can see

After a solid transition I got out onto a three-loop run course. The course was nicely designed with many twists and turns, making it an interesting and eye-pleasing venue. The strong head-wind in the open areas was again a factor, but more importantly, the multiple short loops were ill-suited for accommodating that many athletes. Nevertheless, I was quite happy with my run time of 1 hour 45 minutes placing me 16/122 in the M50-54 Age Group, just 5 minutes from braking the 5-hour mark (5:05).

With my Mississippi Tri Friends after the race

So, with the first race behind me, I am packing up and heading up to Knoxville, Tennessee for an Age Group Grand Prix Rev3 70.3 race this weekend. The drive will be longer but I am looking forward to exploring a few new states on my way north. And, should the wind kick up on Sunday, I know, I will be ready.