August 31: That's a Wrap

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Two significant events this week: First, I made it through the final, toughest week of training. The theory goes that you can only utilize the training that you have done two weeks previously, so this last week was the final opportunity to really build fitness for the race, which is September 13. So despite a killer work week and kid obligations (or opportunities, as I've come to recognize them) I got in about six miles of swimming and 150 miles on the bike, including two bike rides under the masochistic eye of one of my business partners, Rich. Kind of embarrassing when you're not even the fastest cyclist in your own company. Rich managed to dislodge my heart from it's usual position and push it near my throat through a series of sprints, pursuits, and climbs on the roads around Whitefish. Oddly, I am grateful. Also had the company of a longtime friend and coach, Tony Schiller, who more than anything encouraged me to back off, absorb the training, and concentrate on having faith in my preparation. I haven't been able to run because of a nagging injury, so I have substituted with pool jogging, which looks ridiculous, but is doing the trick. Finally, two long swims in Whitefish Lake, which is starting to cool off. Those felt good, but they need to, as the swim leg of the race is by far my weakest.

Second, I got my (gulp!) Team USA uniforms this past week. Talk about a crap-yer-pants moment of pride and anxiety! When I was at USC in the mid-80's, our soccer coach took us to Costa Rica as part of a multi-school team that represented the US. I remember taking the field with USA on my chest, feeling a rush of patriotism, and then getting shellacked by the smallest, fasted players I had ever faced. I think I'm in for about the same treatment at the ITU World Championships in Australia next week, but I'm going to look like a super-hero doing it; the uniform is one of those sleek swim-skin suits Michael Phelps wore in the Olympics and world championships, modified for triathlon use, and emblazoned with my last name and "USA" in big block letters, and my sponsor logos. I can barely fit into it (they're supposed to be tight) and it makes me look like a cross between an American Gladiator and Auquaman. If the intention of putting on a $300 high-tech body suit is to inspire and intimidate, then I know it's working in at least one capacity...

So, the big training is over, and most of the race logistics are worked out. I head to LA for work on Thursday and Friday, then fly with the team from LA to Brisbane on Friday night. We'll lose Saturday to time change, and arrive Sunday.

Some of you have been frustrated trying to post comments to this blog, I think they are working on it, though I'm not sure I want to hear all your comments. I did not choose the pictures for the site, and I already know how silly we look in our little Lycra suits and space-age bikes. So save it. Tell me how you've been inspired to DONATE to Youth Homes (I only need five bucks. From 2000 of you. Or a twenty from 500 of you. Or one big grand gesture from a few of you...) I still haven't had anyone call me out on my potential performance. I would like to make some bets and be antagonized into laying my soul out on the race course. I do well with that. Remember, my goal (besides raising awareness for Youth Homes) is to break into the top half of my division (Men 45-49.) Last time I raced at Worlds in 2003, I was 62nd of 80. Nowhere to go but up, I guess.

Jeremy

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