Miami Marathon & Miami International Triathlon

My goal, as previously mentioned, was to run a sub-90 minute half marathon. This goal was based on the assumption that a minimum of sub-90 would catapult me into the 6 Minute Mile Half Marathon Club. Despite the club's audacious name, I have aspired to be inducted for some time now. Although I ended up finishing in a mildly disappointing 1:30:24, my time translated into a 6:54 minute mile. Turns out my ability to run is superior to my ability to do simple time conversions. By the way, the induction ceremony takes place at #1 Legendary Lane, at 1pm on the first. You're all invited.

More importantly I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my running partners. Christi, your ability to persevere through intense muscle cramping is an inspiration. I realize that you were disappointed with your performance but your completion of the 26.2 is a testament to your mental strength and I am confident your next race will be a monster PR.

Mary, congratulations on your 4th place age group finish and qualifying for Boston, again! Christi and I plan on catching up to you one day! Keep up the great work!

Dr. Amy, congratulations on your first 13.1! Take pride in your hard work and the subsequent flawless performance. You did an amazing job! It's 'tri' time now!!

There is little less than six weeks to my season opener, the Miami International Triathlon, an Olympic distance event held on Key Biscayne. Historically, the water temperature for the swim has been a shiver inspiring 75 degrees. As much as I enjoy arctic temperatures, the thought of a 0.9 mile swim in 75 degree water instantly produces a severe case of horripilation. Luckily, because the water is under 78 degrees, it is wetsuit legal swim. Hmmm, I don't actually own a wetsuit, even if I did, I don't have any experience swimming in one, but as you know, I am the world's premier triathlon swimmer (power of positive thinking, right?), so it shouldn't be a problem.

The bike portion is a 24.8 mile ride, divided equally into two 12.4 mile loops. Fortunately for me, we get to climb the Rickenbacker Causeway not once, not twice, not even three times, but four whole times. Don't get me wrong, the Rickenbacker could most aptly be characterized as a mole hill, but for a guy like me, that is to say a 'flat lander' it's a little more mountainous. These four 'short' climbs should exaggerate the consistent noodle leg syndrome I suffer from coming off the bike. Super.

The run, a little less than half of a half, (6.2 miles for those of you not keeping score) is a stimulating out and back along a pathway just steps from the Virginia Key bay. Transitioning off the bike to a alacritous bipedal situation is tough. The noodle leg syndrome does pass but it just takes time. All that said, this may be my only opportunity to rub shoulders with the super-elites. And when I say rub shoulders, I mean have my neck rotate, in hyper speed, on its axis, as I watch the leaders fly past me. Should be fun!

I am not sure what is more intimidating? The fact that I have never swam in a wetsuit? That can't be it, in fact, the buoyancy will probably make me a little less Titanic and a little more ocean liner. Maybe its the fact that I have never competed in a triathlon of this distance? Nah, I'm awesome. Perhaps its the fact that members of the US Olympic Tri team are competing in this event. Unlikely, since the only time I will see them is at the start, right before they take off like a herd of meth-amphetamine infused cheetahs. Maybe I am intimidated by the throngs of International Ironman Champions in the field. Did you ever consider that I may not be intimidated at all, and this last paragraph was simply a pathetic attempt at making this yawn-inspiring post a little less . . . snore. No, it's infinitely more likely that I am attempting to cover-up my insecurities through the use of sarcasm and, I use this term loosely; humor.

For those keeping score, I used a blasphemous 1200 similes and 240 metaphors in this post. Rookie.