Over 3,000 athletes took part in the 1.5k Venice beach swim, 40k bike to downtown LA, and 10k run from the Staples Center.  All of us were up in the dark early morning hours while most of LA slept in.  Usually the nights before big races, I find little to no sleep.  I enjoy this wakefulness and see it as a good sign that my body is fully rested.  Lying awake in a calm, peaceful, sense while the hours, minutes, and seconds string into eternity; you lose yourself in a sea of thoughts.  Mindful of this moment, and your youthful vigor (at any age while competing in triathlons), one has a humble appreciation for being alive.
 
As triathletes we seek a spiritual state of constantly thriving to improve our meditation in movement.  Finding the balance of mind and body playing harmonious music with effortless power is the challenge so many endurance athletes love.  It takes years of focus and pleasurable passage to discover, utilize, and finally master this energy.  To fully recognize the abilities of your body in motion is a true gift, one that most, (in our current society) never gives a second thought.  I dream of the day when meditation in movement is a major theme in our world.  When people from all walks of life and cultures cherish their body’s endurance, their ability to breathe more air, and live healthier more enriched lives.

The 3,000 thriathletes doing the Los Angeles Triathlon all have been improving their body and mind in preparation for the day’s event.  An important note, that no matter the age or circumstance, one can always be improving.  This is a challenge that brings fulfillment and has far reaching effects.  A continual search for better nourishment and training ensues.  Being a hale and hearty human is this study to improve on oneself, for the whole of your existence.  Let this simple truth slip, and feel the void. 

The water temperature was too warm for wetsuits but the USAT rule of 72 degrees for Pro’s to wear one was met.  I believe, as many of my peers do, that this should be lowered to at least 68 degrees for the Pros.  At 6:45 the Pro men lined up about 50 meters offshore ready to make a mad dash for the small breakers.  We attacked the small surf with reckless abandon and began ducking and diving to reach the deeper water.  Around the first bouy after about 300 meters I was feeling outstanding while swimming just off the two leaders.  Here, I got ahead of myself, the speed was easy for me to match and I assumed the swim would be too.  I remained in good position going around the farthest bouy and making the turn to come back to the finish.  Still in an excellent situation and feeling good I had about 8 guys bunched in front of me and was drafting well.  Surely, I would remain here for the next few 100 meters of the race and be ready for a good bike.  Then, a small gap developed for which I have still been disciplining myself.  Past experience has taught me how hard it can be to bridge these gaps, so I went after it in a hurry.  I tried to go faster while staying controlled and relaxed but the gap was growing.  I was upset, feeling my race slipping away, thinking I would make it up on the bike. 

I had my first sign of fatigue coming straight into shore and had some doubts enter my mind about the day’s exploits.  Strange how up and down I was mentally on the swim, something I know attest to not staying focused in the moment.  Running barefoot in the sand was painfully slow and exhausting on the legs.  I came into T1 with Greg Bennett and Todd Leckie.  Luckily, we could still see the first group about 30 seconds up on us.  I didn’t think it would be too hard to bridge up to most of those guys until I started pedaling in directly. 

It was a struggle on the bike.  The power coming out of my legs seemed almost useless like I was out on some recovery ride.  This was a huge blow to my mental psyche to be fatigued and feeling slow the first few miles of the bike.  My mind had difficulty convincing my legs that this was a race and that we needed more power.  I gradually accepted the state of my body and settled into a good aero position while calming my mind.  This, after about 10 minutes of forcing it, worked wonders.

Your eyes are constantly on the look out for nice pavement to ride on while avoiding some nasty jibs that litter the course.  Swerving this way and that along the barren streets of LA is a grand experience.  The scene is surreal and protracted without the hum of car traffic on 4 lane roads.  It is a gross overcompensation to have skinny bikes with skinny people hogging four and five lanes of road; a splendid once a year treat for LA triathletes.

Onto the run I enjoyed the mild temperature and fell into a comfortably strong pace.  Again, it was fun to take charge of downtown streets, running a long an out and back stretch on Grand Ave with the only traffic being other runners.  Finishing is always a relief and a reward while feeling good with a quick recovery is a bonus with 2 more races the following 2 weekends.  The day suddenly turned into a leisurely one with time to converse with the other pros and enjoy the California sun.  I had a 16 mile bike ride back to Venice that helped the legs recover quickly and then spent the rest on my backside.          

One of my goals in life is to make each year better than the previous over time.  As you continue to grow and learn about yourself and the world around you it makes sense that one ought to continually seek out those activities that make you happiest.  I know for me that a major source of happiness is breathing.  Ha-ha.  What I mean is vigorous breathing, sucking down copious amounts of air.  Breathing lots of air means to me… laughing and being physically active.  A life full of being playful is Nourishment for my soul.

Until next time,
Breathe more Air…    

Triathlete Magazine, LA Times, Inside Tri Magazine

RESULTS