Well, EagleMan was a bit of good and bad. The course is dead flat, but usually windy. On Sunday it was calm, cloudy and ripe for PR's. The swim was OK. There was a bit of chop out to the turn around bouy, but it was a nice current on the trip back to shore.I found a decent draft early and worked my way to a 24 and change swim. On to the bike I was with a few guys, one of which I know is a strong biker. I wanted to stay with him, but had a lapse of concentration and let him get away. At the time I didn't think much of it, but now I really regret letting him go. It was a great place to push and see if I have brought up my cycling. A great opportunity and a smart risk just rode away from me. I did put in some surges trying to make up some time, but it was a bit late. Then at about mile 45 I started to get a sharp pain in my left quad, right above the knee. It was something new for me and I didn't know exactly what to do. I poured some cold water on it and shook it out and that helped a bit. I only had a few miles left so I just toughed it out. Into T2 I tried to work out the leg immediately. It was holding up so I just tried to forget about it. Early on I was at a 5:45-6:00 per mile pace. When I tried to pick it up a bit, both quads quivered and nearly seized. This was new to me as I rarely have any cramping issues and it wasn't particularly hot. I caught a few guys, but kept pushing and was hoping to go under 4 hours for the race. At the turnaround I knew that sub 4 was not in the cards, but with Germany coming up, I wanted to keep pushing and see if I could resolve my issues. In the end I was a few minutes over 4 and the legs never stopped being on the verge of cramping.
After crossing the line I went straight to the med tent. When I laid down on the cot and put my feet up on a box I could see both quads were in complete spasm. They were quivering like a bowl of jello. The nice folks in med offered me an IV, and I took it. At one point I had a doctor asking me questions, a massage therapist rubbing my legs and an EMT putting an IV in my arm. After the IV I felt better and walked out to get some food and do the usual post race milling around. I think every athlete I talked to set a PR.
So, the race wasn't was I wanted. Again I had a physical issue that kept me from racing 100%. It's frustrating that it's something different every time. I am thinking about Germany and what I need to do to race to my full potential.
One great experience was our dinner with the Blazeman Foundation. Kevin Long invited Courtney and I to the CanvasBack restaurant for a dinner with other Blazeman Foundation Members and friends and family of John as well. There were 14 people and we went around the table telling a bit about ourselves and how we got involved with the Blazeman Foundation. With John's recent passing it was very emotional at times. We shared stories and rememberances all dinner long. For those interested in joining the foundation, check out WaronALS.com to find out what you can do to help fight this disease.
Tomorrow we board a flight for London and connect to Frankfurt. From there we will take a high speed train to Roth. I just hope we make our connections, have a relatively smooth flight and enjoy the journey.
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