Training for Buffalo

Well Memorial day weekend is in the rear view mirror. As most do this one went by way to fast. Late last season my fiance moved in with her two cats. Unfortunately I soon found out that they give allergy induced asthma and made it tough to train in the winter months. Lately my breathing issue has been clearing up as we have been able to open the house up and get rid of the cat dander and I have been spending more time outdoors. Albert Lea it cleared up just in time for the race as we stayed in a cat free hotel room the night prior. I am still using the inhalers but feel close to 100% again.
Buffalo is in a little less than two weeks and I want to be close to peak by then. I have been getting in some fantastic training since Albert Lea and I am cutting time in every discipline. Buffalo was my first race last year and will be one of just a few races that I am repeating. Last year I had a great race at just under 2:06 but feel I can shave a lot of time from that this year. This week I was hoping to concentrate on the bike portion but unfortunately my schedule is not going to allow as much time on the road as I would like. Damn those early morning meetings where everyone eats donuts and drinks there $7 latte grandes. All meetings are good for is testing my will power against the hunger beast.

Albert Lea Triathlon

Well the first race of the season is now over. Thank god, because I was dreading the 58 deg water. It actually wasn't that bad after I went numb in a minute or two. Albert Lea was very well done and has one of the more beautiful run courses I've been on. The bike course was also nice and allowed me to try out the new ride. After my crash last year at Square Lake the woman who was involved was very generous and did pay for the damage. I then threw in a little of my own money in and pieced together my new ax, a P3C with Sram components and ceramic bearings to go along with a 909 rear disc. I was very anxious to try it out. Unfortunately I had a flash back to Mankato last year, only this time a volunteer was making a gesture to take a right when we should have been going straight. I partially blame myself as my fiance and I drove the course the night prior and new the route so I was puzzled when he pointed us in that direction. I should know better than to follow the guy in front of me over my gut instinct but human nature is to follow and I payed the price for it. I still managed the second fastest bike split behind a dominant Matt Payne who I talked with after the race. Matt is the raining Tri MN Champion and an ultra nice guy. It was good to finally meet him as we had raced a few times last year but never met. In the end the detour I took made no difference as he had a fantastic race and dominated me by nearly five minutes. I figure the detour only cost me a minute to a minute and a half. It was still a great race and would recommend it to anyone, especially someone who is trying out the sport. Just don't let the cold water ruin your race. Next up is Buffalo and I am hoping to redeem myself against Matt there. Although it looks like Matt is going to be tough to beat this year if he continues to perform like he did at Albert Lea.