Training Begins Now

It's a new bike, Jamis Xenith T - carbon composite, very aero. I really like it. I bought it about a month ago from Gary at ProBike because, mainly, it would have been a crime to ride my other 20 year old bike in a 70.3 race. Yep, I'm committed now. Already registered for Rev3 Cedar Point in September. That's in Sandusky, Ohio at the famous amusement park island. Kay Vee delivered my 20 week training plan the other day, and it begins tomorrow. I can't say enough about Kay Vee and all the help she's been to me. Now she and I will drag our spouses to another race, but this one should be fun for everyone! Serious roller coasters live in the Cedar Point Park.

I really don't fear the 70.3 distance so much, but the training through the Mississippi summer heat and humidity gives me some doubt. Can this old body acclimate itself? I've never been very good in the heat, turn red as a beet. But 6 years ago I would have never believed I'd be doing a lot of the races that are routine now. This year I'll run my 5th Heatwave Triathlon. This should be an interesting summer.


Here's two group photos of the Flounders. Everyone wasn't available at once, so I made two, in commemoration of our coach's departure. Whitney is married to a soldier, Army man, and they are now setting up a new household in Georgia. We will miss her terribly. She changed our group from three committed swimmers to a team of good swimmers, greatly improved over the last year. This group's age ranges from 56 (me), to early 20s. Paul, Kate, and Mack are excellent swimmers. Matt, Melanie, Cedric and I may not be stars in the pool, but in a typical tri group we are above average. Christeen is another story, a collegiate swimmer in the ACC and a world age group triathlon qualifier for Budapest later this year. With an enthusiastic coach to replace Whitney, we could have a credible, competitive Masters Swim Team to challenge the long dominance of the Catfish Masters from the Courthouse.

Plans for the summer include a Flounders-led effort to swim across the Reservoir, a distance of more than 5K. We may call it the Rez Swim/Kayak Challenge. Let us know if you're interested.