Aiden (guessing on the spelling), the local snowmageddon arrival swaggered into the world early this morning flexing all of his 8.5lbs, announcing his presence with authority and a strong set of pipes.
While a few days ago the advance scout, little miss name tdb (hurry up and throw that dart at the wall of names already M) sauntered gracefully on stage out in New Mexico. Now you've each got both kinds (country and western). Nice.
I know many people are very happy for you all, especially me.
There's a new tri in town this Spring. The Washington, D.C. Triathlon with Sprint and Olympic distance options was just announced.
(Note: there is another new event in October on the Columbia Tri course out in Ellicott City, MD. The Half Full Triathlon - .9mi, 56mi, 13.1mi. Very appealing distances for a crap swimmer like me. A definite maybe, October is a long way off.)
I hope the DC Triathlon is a success and an annual staple race on the local calendar. Tough economic times to put on a new event. I don't plan to enter this one, at least not this year. The DC Tri Club will be providing volunteer support, so that may be the way I show my tri love.
Why not race it? More cons than pros, for me. If I were from out of town this would be a tempting destination/vacation race, the chance to race around the monuments would probably trump all the negatives.
June date = good
Sprint and Oly options = good
Riding on closed roads in the nation'c cap = rare gift
Early start. 5:30a for the Sprint, 6:30a for the Oly. Damn. = call it a push
Sleep in my own bed (no hotel $) and enjoy a short drive on race morning = very nice
Must travel to and from the transition area at least twice -once Saturday to rack the bike and again Sunday for the race.
Packet pickup is Fri. or Sat. only, no race day, so add that trip too.
1.5-2mi distance from finish line back to transition = hot steaming grande of meh. The swim start and finish, and the transition area is along the river near the Lincoln Memorial, but, the race (run) finishes at 3rd and Pa Av.
And, the fee. The cost involved with a race in downtown DC is unavoidable. It is what it is. And, it's a fundraiser event. Not firing any arrows of blame at the RD. But $175 is a bit of a poke in the age grouper eye ($150 off this for first 500 entrants).
It's all a bit like the 2010 Duathlon Nationals in Richmond this April but without any of the positives. I had a poor race there in '09, but can honestly say that race is well organized. I can also say the location stinks and the course is awful. What would Dubya say? Fool me once...
Speaking of tri spending, Runningwarehouse.com may be my new go to for shoes. Great prices, free 2 day shipping, free returns. Sorry RnJ.
Training:
Thur. 1-28-10
Run 55mins, ~7.3mi, 40F and windy
10min trans to Bike
Easy trainer spin after run, 53mins
Fri. 1-29-10
Run 45mins on RC path, ~6mi, inserted 10:30 of tempo at 6:40-:45 pace. Can't remember the last time I did anything resembling speedwork. Plan to add it to the regular mix, gradually, it's an essential ingredient for a BQ.
Core/Lift – 30mins – crunches, ball, pushups, plank, curls, etc.
Sat. 1-30-10
Run 49mins easy-steady, ~6.2mi. Snowing! Gorgeous.
