I know, I know...I haven’t posted anything for a REALLY long time. It’s kind of like training, coming out of the off-season and struggling to get that momentum and routine back. It’s a bit tough to get back in the rhythm, but once you do it becomes second nature. I can’t promise a weekly post, but I’ll do my best to be more regular. Anyhow...
There’s actually a lot to talk about. Last weekend I spent 5 wonderful days in SoCal for the Oceanside 70.3 race, the kickoff event to a season which promises much excitement. At the helm of the Gelement (the appropriately dubbed GU logo wrapped Honda Element), I road-tripped down to the land of palm trees, warm winds and triathlon superstars.
My own race performance was nothing to brag about. I approached Oceanside as a training race, my focus for now being the Boston Marathon, followed by Ironman Coeur D’Alene. Most of all right now I’m simply trying to get my you-know-what in shape after a fairly lazy winter. Oftentimes I’ve surprised myself with great performances on minimal training, but this was certainly not the case on Saturday. I only wish I could have mustered the same speed I commandeered in the Gelement when pulled over by a motorcycle-riding CHP officer on my first day in Carlsbad (doing 50 in a 30 zone would have been quite a coup during the race). I have to give a shout-out to my hair colorist – the blonde thing totally worked and I got off with only a stern written warning. Regardless, the race was tons of fun, I enjoyed the whole experience and recommitted to getting back in the pool and back on my bike.
As I headed out on my 2nd run lap, I asked my favorite cheerleader Chris for an update on the pro race. My thoughts were focused on both Michellie Jones and Craig Alexander, with whom we had enjoyed dinner earlier in the week, as well as a Friday morning final run with MJ and two of her three energetic & adorable little dogs. Michellie is a long-time GU athlete and one of the kindest, coolest and obviously most talented gals on the pro circuit. Oceanside was a practice run for her, a final tune-up prior to Ironman Arizona, and she happily turned in a solid 4th place performance. Craig had a dramatic and impressive day of surging against eventual winner Andy Potts, and his close 2nd place bodes well for the rest of his season, all the way to Kona where you can be sure he’ll aim for #1.
Following the race was the now institutionalized Triathlete Mag VIP party, a chance to schmooze with the who’s who of the tri world and down some delicious post-race microbrew. Sunday was another full day, as I was given the opportunity to speak at the Zoot Ultra Triathlon Team camp. GU is a sponsor of this select group of pros and elite amateurs, and it was a thrill to meet so many of them in person and have a chance to share the latest news & views from GU. Be sure to cheer these folks on, as well as their racer-siblings Team Zoot GU, when you see them at your next race. Both teams are outfitted with gorgeous custom Zoot apparel which you cannot miss.
Speaking of Zoot, the Oceanside race was my first opportunity to swim in my new Zenith wetsuit. When I tried it on and looked in the mirror, I literally gasped. The darn thing looks hot! Never in my life have I dreamed of (nor really wanted to dream of) looking sexy wrapped in rubber. The Zenith just has a magical quality that makes everyone look seriously good. Of course, looks aren’t everything, and its performance quality is equally hot. It was a true pleasure to swim in, which is not a comment I would make of wetsuits in general. I’m honestly looking forward to my next open water swim, which is, well, just plain weird.
I’m back home in Berkeley now, catching up on home life and preparing for a fun 10-mile run race in the Presidio on Sunday. Then next weekend it’s off to Tempe to witness what I sense will be a major showdown in the women’s field. Two of our top GU athletes, Michellie and Heather Gollnick, will vie for the championship, and I already have butterflies brewing in my tummy for both brilliant athletes. It promises to be a great weekend!