Connecticut Open Water Swim Championships - 1 Mile - 6/20/2012

I swam in the one mile Ct Open Water Championships today.  Formerly called the Madison Mile, today it was the Quassy Mile.  I guess hurricane damage to the shoreline forced them to move the race this year.  There is talk both of moving it back next year and also creating a spinoff Quassy Mile.

I have to say, I preferred the Madison Mile.  Why?  Well, the race started earlier in the day and the Sound was more refreshing than Lake Quassy, even though Quassy is a very clear Lake.  The water temperature was 75 degrees, which is nice if you are wearing a bathing suit, but a little warm if you are wearing a wet suit at 10:55 in the morning on a 90 degree day.  They had moved the start back by one hour, which was news to me when I showed up at 8:30.

At Madison they always had between 10 and 15 wet suiters.  Today they only had one -- me.  Fortunately, at the last minute, they let me swim with the 6th wave - the women masters -- so I would not have to be in the 7th wave alone staring 5 minutes after the last wave.

As it was I was the 2nd to last person out of the water.  I haven't seen my results yet, but I think my time was in the 37-38 minute range, which is faster than last year, but I don't feel like I was swimming faster. Perhaps the course was shorter or not having to battle the tides.  I swam very easy in the wet suit.  I did have severe fogging  problems with my goggles causing me to stop repeatedly to sight.

I don't regret wearing the wet suit as I have not been swimming too much.  I regret not being in better swim shape so I had to wear the wet suit.  I am hoping the water is cooler in September for the Quassy Swim Fest.

On a side note, I tried to take my suit off again using the standon it method with no luck.  At least I didn't fall down.  I did have to sit on the grass to get it off my legs.

Lake Terramuggus Tri # 3 6-28-2012

Did the race tonight.  Results will be available tomorrow, along with race report.  I took it easy, and managed to do the run without walking, which was my goal.  I would say I am in fair shape.

***

This season has not gone well. After a blazing start in the O’Hartford 5K, it has been one respiratory infection after the other as well as missed workouts due to work and family obligations. I missed many of my scheduled races, including the Litchfield Hills Triathlon, which was my big goal race. I finally felt strong enough to do a triathlon so I went to the Lake Terramuggus event with the simple goal of just completing it and not having to walk any on the run. As a precaution against last minute nerves, I signed up online in advance. $25.

It was a beautiful evening. I went to work early so I could get off early and get a nap in before going to the race. I left early so I wouldn’t be rushed.

I took my regular transition spot by a bench against a tree. I decided to wear my wet suit for the first time at Lake T. Normally with a 500-600 yard swim, I think the time I save with the suit will be lost with transition time of taking it off. But I wanted to have an easy swim, so I wore it. I was glad I wore it during the swim. I swam very easy and without any exhaustion. Then of course, as I came out of the water, I had to pay the price.

Often for me, coming out of the water and trying to take my suit off, I am lurching like a stroke victim. While I was able to quickly un zip, my suit and get it down by my knees that’s when the problem started. I used the step on it method, but it wasn’t working. For a race chip this year, instead of a narrow coin-like chip on the ankle bracelet, they had had a box like device, which the suit got caught on. I kept trying to step out and my balance got worse and worse until I pitched over on my left side. Timber! Laying prone in the sand with a large crowd of people watching my fall was not fun. I sat on my bottom and managed to get the suit off. By my bike, I sat down again, and took some time to get the sand off and put my socks and shoes on and have a drink.

I got my helmet on and then started running with the bike. The bike went all right, other than an early uncomfortable feeling where the chin strap was in my throat as I semi gagged. But I didn’t puke and was soon off and riding. I deliberately did not ride too fast. I never went to my big gear. I never dropped down into the drops, and I coasted most of the downhills. I passed a number of people, mainly women, who had started 5 minutes before the men. I finished in 44:00, which is good considering I wasn’t hammering.

In transition, I changed to my running shoes, had a drink and took off – not to fast. I ran the whole way. It wasn’t too painful. I was going slow, but had no pain or stiffness. I was happy to be done, and did my traditional post race swim/float in the lake.

I am hoping as long as I don’t get sick that my fitness will improve significantly in the next three months. As far as lake T, I can certainly improve on my transition times, my bike and my run.

177 of 202 overall 1:32:40

16/18 in age group

 129th in Swim 14:54

 180th in Bike 44:00

 174th in Run 33:46

 Results

4.4 Mile Run

Ran the route tonight in 43.02, a minute and 18 seconds faster than last time while still not trying to run fast.  I am getting back into shape slowly but surely.  Still I ran it in 41:58 on May 1.

13 Mile Ride/.5 Mile Swim

Rode the loop again this morning.  This time at 6:00 A.M.  Very nice out.  Still I am not riding very strong or fast.  Not looking forward to the uphill at the Black Fly, nor the 5 mile run afterward.

later swam 900 yards at the pool.

13 Mile Bike

Rode my course this morning.  Not going very fast.  It was starting to get hot.  I went out at 8:00.  I need to go at 5:00 in the AM and try to do two loops.  Maybe tomorrow.

Mini Tri

Rode 5 miles in 20 minutes on the stationary bike, ran a mile in 11, then swam 500 yards without looking at the clock.

1/2 Mile Swim

swam 900 yards at the pool tonight.

I also renewed my USTriathlon membership tonight, and when I signed on I was informed that I qualified for the USA Nationals due to my perfomance in the Clysdale category at the Clam Man Sprint last October.  I thought that was very funny.  The Nationals are sold out, but I could get on the waiting list.  They are in August in Burlington vermont.

I also signed up for the Griskus sprint in July.

I am pondering doing a sprint on Saturday.  The only problem is it is Kent, which is about an hour and twenty minute drive.  My choice is between the confidence of doing a race, which because I have never done this particular one before, I can do slow or staying close to home and putting in a long bike ride, as well as being around for the kids in the morning.

4.4 Mile Run

Ran 4.4 mile route in 44:25.  I was tired and my legs felt a little wobbly, but I kept going.  I need to keep stepping up the training and get back in shape.

13 Mile Bike/2.4 Mile Jogger

Did my bike route, untimed this morning. Felt good to be back on the bike. My legs were tired. Next weekend or some morning early, I need to do this loop twice. I will not be ready for the Litchfield Olympic, but I need to be ready for the Black Fly uphill. In the evening, I ran with Zoey, the 2.4 mile route in 24:30.

2,4 Mile Slow Run

Ran the route in a slow 25:40. Trying to get back in shape. Legs felt weak. Cough is better, but still there. It was rainy tonight with some humidity.

600 Yard Swim

Swam an easy 600 in the pool. feeling better, but still have chest cold.

Spectator

I wasn't feeling well enough to run the Iron Horse race today, tired and coughing up phlegm. It was a beutiful day and I watched Chevaughn torch the 10K course in 59:28. I don't know if I could have kept up even if I was running. I am hoping to recover soon. I do not like being sick.