The first Tri "back"

It is now official.  Being official happens when a person actually registers for an event.  The Millerton Triathlon: Saturday, April 21st...This will be my return to triathlon since September, 2010. 

It's been awhile...there are nerves of excitement, anticipation, and of worry (will I remember what to do in transition? Will I make a fool of myself in front of the team I helping coach?). 

There is nothing like a competition to rev up the internal engine, and to set in motion the mental game of fortitude, confidence, and visualizing the course. 

Each element runs through your mind:  Wading in the water at the start, ready for the air horn before your goggles fog up, checking to make sure your cap and the goggle strap are securely on your head.  Air horn goes off; swim, swim, swim!  As soon as you can feel ground, start running up the boat ramp, pulling off goggles and cap, unzip wetsuit, pull it off...still running to your spot in transition.  Pull of rest of wetsuit, put on helmet, socks, cycling shoes, strap on number belt, guzzle a quick drink, grab your bike and head to the "bike out" sign.  Get on, get going, going, going!  Now settle down... there's plenty of time to make it right or make a mistake.  Cycle smart; remember you will have to run when you're done!  Ride is done; dismount and run, run, run to your transition spot again.  Unclip helmet, get running shoes on, take another quick drink of the super juice, put on the visor, turn the bib number from back to front.  Get going.  This is your strength.  You held back in the ride so you could have it in the run.  Run, baby run.  Finish line is getting closer, the crowd gets thicker the closer you get, you can see the clock and you give it all you have left. Done.

That is triathlon, simplified.