I took most of 2005 off from racing triathlons so I could get back on track from the bulging disc and other injuries incurred racing the Ironman. I kept myself in decent shape but eventually I couldn't handle not racing anymore so I coerced some friends into putting on our own triathlon at a local pool.We rented out a high school pool for an hour and picked a 12 mile bike course and a 3.2 mile run. The BS started immediately because we decided to set a handicap and everyone was required to submit their estimated finish time. We were trying to make it a sprint finish so the pressure was on to be accurate with your estimated time. Old Griz and I had a grudge match going back to the Beaver Freezer sprint triathlon where I beat him by 30 seconds. This was his chance for revenge but I wasn't going down easy.
The pool is small and WAY TOO WARM for hard swimming. Of course old Griz loved it but I thought I was going to puke when I finished the 500 yard swim. Griz beat me by at least a minute so it was up to me to catch him. He's a strong biker so I knew it could come down to the run. Out on the bike, I recalled the suffering I had been missing from racing. The run was a slightly hilly affair and I took it out as hard as I could but the lack of racing was not helping. The only way to get into triathlon racing shape is to race and I wasn't in shape for it. I didn't see Griz until the finish line. The old man had prevailed. Oh the agony! I am waiting for him to get soft so I can challenge him to a triathlon again. Revenge will be mine! Next time I will need to let more air out of Griz's tires.
