I almost forgot…New York City Triathlon!

In my excitement and hast to get up Episode 50 of Brandon’s Marathon Podcast, I forgot that I have my first triathlon of 2009 coming up!! It is the 9th annual New York City Triathlon!!

I honestly can’t believe I forgot it!

In any event, it takes place this Sunday, July 26, 2009. My wave will start between 7:36 and 7:42 AM, EST. It’s funny, as I just wrote that I actually felt a giant bump of adrenaline go through me! This will be my first NYC Triathlon and also my first Olympic distance event. The distances are:

Swim: 1500 meters
Bike: 40 kilometers
Run: 10 kilometers

I feel mostly prepared for this event. About two weeks ago, I took about a week and a half off from swimming. This was not on purpose and when I got back in the pool, I had to face up to the fact that time is not always on my side, and I paid the price. Fortunately, swimming is my “thing”. I was soon back to a very good pace and feeling good in the pool.

As far as the bike; I feel ok about it. What gives me pause just now, is the fact that when I went out for a medium thirty miles this morning, while my speed was decent and acceptable, I felt dead-legged. I made sure to get home and cram down two health scoops of Endurox R4. Over the next couple of days, I will be continuing to down the R4, run, ride or no, as well as stretching quite a bit more than normal before bed.

Apart from the other two, my running has felt really good. I’m not the fastest person in the world, by any means, however, since my interview with Christopher McDougall, I have been re-inspired to look for the joy in my running, and I have found it. That said, I am curious to see what happens if I push my pace…hmm…

About the race:

The swim start is in the Hudson River (yes, it’s not the cleanest, but it’s what we’ve got!), at West 98th Street. From there it is a straight shot downstream to about West 79th Street. The Hudson is a river which, around Manhattan, does have tides. I have checked the tidal clocks for that day and if I’m correct, my wave SHOULD start on either a very slightly outgoing tide, or a dead calm tide, both of which are fine by me!

The bike (from the NYC Tri website) exits Riverside Park at 79th Street. Athletes enter the northbound entrance of the Henry Hudson Highway, staying in the right lane. Athletes will continue on a moderately hilly course north out of Manhattan, over the Hudson River Bridge, and exit onto the Mosholu Parkway. The course proceeds south on the Mosholu and U-turns at Gunhill Road in the Bronx. Participants will proceed back to the Henry Hudson Parkway and ride south in the Northbound Lane to 57th street where another u-turn will be completed and cyclists will head north and exit the Henry Hudson Parkway at 79th street and proceed back to the transition area. All bicycle traffic will utilize the normally northbound roadway which will be totally closed to vehicular traffic.

The run (also from the NYC Tri website) will exit Riverside Park at 72nd Street and run into Central Park. Runners turn left when entering Central Park and run in a clockwise direction around the northern loop of Central Park. The Finish line is on Dead Road, just west of the band shell on the 72nd Street Transverse in Central Park.

I will, of course, have as much pre and post (and during thatnks to my wife) video and such that I can. I’ll also try to get my video up in a somewhat timely manner (sorry Ari and the Achilles 5 miler, it’s coming!). If you’re in the Big Apple and need something to do, why not come by! Email me and we can figure out a place to meet!