MythBusters

I used the Hear and Sole Triathlon in Versailles, KY last weekend to "bust" the myth that "no one has ever won or lost a triathlon in the swim."  Well, Kevin Ryan was able to beat me in the race even though I had the fastest bike and run splits of the day.....leaving only the swim and transitions for him to beat me.  Myth Busted!!

I don't want to send the message that I am discouraged about this race.  Kevin is a good swimmer and I.....I am still working on my swim.  It has gotten better but losing :51 in a 400 yard swim suggests that I still need to make it a point to attend Master's Swim Practice several times per week.  I felt good going into the swim and I really felt comfortable and relaxed during the swim.  I think that I may have been able to squeeze another :06-:10 on the swim but that would be an absolutely perfect swim.  I will take my swim and I will continue to work on it.

I realized once we got out of the pool just how cold it was, but I knew from years past at this race if I took the time to put on arm warmers, gloves and/or a vest that Kevin (and several other competitors) would put some time into me.  So I transitioned and just jumped on my bike hoping that if I went hard enough that I would stay warm(er).  I pushed hard which was maybe a little harder than I was in cycling shape for but it was for warmth and survival.  It worked and I wasn't really as cold as I feared that I would be....except for my fingers.

I couldn't exactly feel my fingers coming into T2 but I was somehow able to get my helmet off and shoes on.  It took me a little bit of the run before I felt remotely comfortable with my stride and breathing, but that is a result of a little bit of overbiking and not doing any bricks.  I still ran well and know that with more bike fitness and more brick training, I will be able to get my running times closer to what I have been running this season.

The Heart and Sole is always fun because I can sleep in my own bed the night before, the course is surprisingly harder than I remember it every year and the weather is unpredictable.  The first two years that I raced it, the weather was beautiful, but for the past three or four years....not so much.  This race also allows me to try out any new stuff that I have.  I was very pleased with my new TYR equipment (googles, speedsuit and race suit, which was surprisingly quick drying).  A special thanks to all my other sponsors for helping to get me to the start line......SmithOptics, Infinit Nutrition, Scott, Tri-Bike Transport, CycleSmiths, Occupational Kinetics, Swiftwick, Brooks AirBrush Studio and Louisville Slugger.