Seventy Point Three

Last year I went from four to twenty-six point two in my first year of running.  This year, I'm making another big jump and just inked the last triathlon of my rookie season: PPD Beach2Battleship -- a half-ironman race!!!

This race has been on my mind since December 24, 2010 when Kyle brought it up while enjoying some Christmas Eve drinks.  I hadn't purchased a bike yet but I was almost ready to sign up for the race back then.  No, it wasn't the three whiskey and cokes (or Vodka 7's... I can't remember... wonder why?) but this race has many benefits.  For example, the race takes place in Wilmington, NC.  This geographical location is perfect:

• 3.5 hours to Charlotte, where TKB's brother and sister-in-law live
• 5.25 hours to Valle Crucis, NC where TKB's parents live
• 3.5 hours to Greensboro, NC where Ken and Kyle live.
• 30 minutes away from our favorite vacation spot, Topsail Island, NC.  We are turning this trip into a 10 year anniversary vacation for us!

Planning
Just like I did with my marathon in 2010, I have put a HIM (Half-ironman) training plan together.  I'm looking at an 18 week plan and will probably tweak it this week before it truly starts on June 27.

Even more important is the trip planning.  We hope to spend ample time with friends and family while in NC, so we are focusing on finding a great beach house for everyone to congregate.  Seeing that it will be off-season, the only trouble we may have is finding one that hasn't been closed up for the winter.

About the Race
Beach2Battleship (B2B for short but not to be confused by the other B2B race I did this year, Brew-to-Brew) is in its fourth year.  It is a point-to-point race with separate transitions.  The race starts in the Atlantic Ocean and ends at the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial.  In 2010 it received recognition from Triathlete magazine as the fifth top triathlon in the world.  It is produced by Setup Events.

• 1.2 Mile Swim - Takes place in a channel in the atlantic ocean but the incoming tides can shed 5 - 10 minutes off of triathletes swim time.
• 56 Mile Bike - Known for being a flat course.
• 13.1 Mile Run - Also a flat course with a few nasty hills around the entrance to the battleship.

Reflection

There is a full-iron component of this race but I didn't feel like I could fully dedicated the time for it.  I plan to train smart using appropriate heart-rate zones but I still need to learn what those truly are.  I hope to talk about those in future blog posts.

I'm going to continue participating in races for the next four months.  I want to get two or three more triathlons under my belt and I am planning another road race (or two) as well.

Before I go much further, it's time to call the doctor and do that all important yearly physical.  Better make sure he gives me the thumbs up first.

I'm extremely excited about this and I hope you enjoy following me on this journey!

Race Preview: Topeka Tinman

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

When I first put my inaugural triathlon schedule together, this was to be my very first triathlon.  As it turned out, it will be my third.  That's probably wise because Topeka is over an hour away, and considering my incessant need to keep time on my side leading up to the shotgun start, that would mean I would probably leave at 2:00am for a 5:30am transition open if it were my first.

Later, I took this off my list because I was planning to do the Kansas City Triathlon and Kansas City Corporate Challenge Triathlon.  When you include Hospital Hill Half-Marathon, four events in five weeks seemed way too much.  Since the KC Corporate Challenge distance was pretty short, I decided to put it back on the list.

I will be participating in the sprint distance (400 meters swim, 13 mile bike, and 3 mile) run with Shane.  The plan is to carpool over with Shane, Heather, and TKB in the morning but I don't think I want to figure out what time yet.  Our wave won't start until 8:06am, so we probably don't need to show up right at the transition opening.

Note about Heather and Shane.  I ran Brew-to-Brew, Trolley Run, and recently Hospital Hill with Shane.  These are absolutely great people.  I have known Heather since I was in kindergarten and she introduced me to TKB while at college.  I'm stoked about finding yet another reason to hang out with them!

Temps are probably going to be in low-80s at the start, so it is going to be a hot one.  Not sure what the water temperature is but I don't think 400 meters will make it worth bringing the wetsuit.  Given the shorter distance swim, I think I'm going to line up more competitively and count the bruises and black eyes later.

Social Media EXPLOSION!
Per usual, I will publish a Glympse on my Facebook and Twitter (which you can find on the right side of the blog), so check those locations around 8:00am CT on Saturday.  It won't track me on the swim, but once I strap my race-belt on for the bike, it will show my location on a map.  When you tie the Glympse with Ultramax live video feed of the finish line, you'll easily be able to watch me cross the finish line of the triathlon, assuming I can find it.

Drinky Drinky
Lastly, what's with triathlons and pint glasses?  For KC Triathlon, participants received a pint glass as part of the goodie bag.  The finishers of Tinman receive an etched pint glass.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE it.  I decided this year that as part of my "major" events I want a pint glass as a souvenir.  I'm kind of bummed that Hospital Hill doesn't have one because I would purchase it just like I did for Kansas City Marathon.