Defend the High-Tri Championship on Sept 8-9, 2012

Last weekend was High-Tri weekend. It started with the Corkscrew Century bike ride out of Bristol NY on Saturday morning. It started out OK, but around mile 20, Mother Nature dumped those showers on us she was promising for this day. Lucky this shower was short lived, but we did get soaked. The rest of the ride proceeded through the hills and wind and showers with all riders just gutting out the weather. Around mile 60, the mother of all storms came up with horizontal rain and high winds. This actually forced most riders off the road and looking for cover. I found shelter on the front porch of a nice resident whose tree I had been hiding behind. Once past this shower, it was pretty smooth riding, except for that 2 mile hill at mile 95 that was just torture. But we finished, and a nice meal and some early rest was needed for the next day.

Sunday, I was ready for the sprint triathlon part of the Finger Lakes Tri. It is a half mile swim, 13 mile bike, and a 5K run. Nothing too difficult, but after the 100 mile ride in the rain and wind the day before, it proved a little challenging. Oh yea, and I can’t swim that well either. But at 9:15 we were off. The swim went well. I did not drown and got out of the water in good shape. The bike started with an uphill ride for about 6 miles. After the hills done the day before, these hills were not that bad. It was just that my legs were a little tired from the day before. The second half of the ride was mostly down hill and I was able to kick it up a bit and even rest a bit. Those down hills really felt good. Starting the 5K run, my legs could really feel it. Just starting slow and finding some rhythm was key. I saw a lot of friends and family along the run route, and they kept me inspired to just keep going. It turned into a great run. Not fast, but finishing with a respectable time was satisfying.

And when the results were in, it turn out I again won this thing for all males riding the Corkscrew Century and doing the spring tri. I actually think I was the only one who did both these events. The rain on Saturday scared all the riders away. i won a gift card from a local bike shop. Maybe I’ll look for a rain jacket.

I signed up for the Highlander Corkscrew ride yesterday. I got in before the price goes up Aug 1 and saved $10.

I made sure to check the little box: “Attempt the High-Tri Challenge”

So all my registration are in. Now I just have to stay healthy, train, and especially swim more.

It should be a fun weekend.

It makes me chuckle to think I have a goal with the words “Defend” and “Championship” both included in the title. I do a good number of events in the year, but never do I ever come close to winning any of them.

Last year was different. When a friend talked me into doing this thing, the only thing I wanted to do was survive. There was no real thought of winning anything.

This two day event consists of riding the Highlander Corkscrew century ride through beautiful Bristol NY on day one and then doing the Finger Lakes sprint tri on day two. The person with the fastest time in the tri wins. Last year, I had the fastest time of those males who signed up to do both events.

Now to add a little perspective, there were not that many who signed up to do both events, and even fewer that actually completed both events. So it shows what can happen if you just go out and do things.

So, as defending champion (ha ha, that still sounds so funny) I do feel it is my duty to do this again. Now, if there are smart guys out there, all they have to do is look at my tri time and if they are fast enough, it is almost money in the bank. My time was not that great. (Of course I did have a 100 mile ride the day before and I can’t swim that well.)

Either way, it should be a good time. There is plenty of great energy around these events. Hopefully it will be as much fun as last year.