Meeting with the Evil Exercise Scientist

Yesterday was my end of the year sit down with the Evil Exercise Scientist (EES) to review what I did in 2011 and what I have planned for 2012. I walked in with my monthly race calendar and she wasted no time marking it up to the point where I didn't even recognize it. I just jotted down rough distances for races and she helped me pick some specific races to complete my calendar. She also threw down the gauntlet with me for race specific goals. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sweating a little when she told me what she wanted from me. But I'm up for the challenge now - no more school, no more studying. It will be a triathlon focused season this year and I can't wait to get started.

2012 Outline

• April - Mallorca cycling
• May - Gran Fondo NY
• June - Olympic Distance Triathlon
• July - Sprint Distance Triathlon
• August - Half Iron Distance Triathlon - "A" Race
• September - Olympic Distance Triathlon
• October - Army 10 Miler
• November/December - Fun, short races

I'm sure it will fill in with more things as the year goes on, but the big focus will be the August race. The key will be to stay injury free next season. This year I was hobbled by a shin splint from July through early September. I am just starting to build up some speed again. I am nowhere near where I was last fall, but I am making some progress.

Today was the Toys for Tots 5k in Patchogue. I was realistic going into the race and knew a PR was not on the table. But my goal was just to run consistent splits. Ian and the EES were also there to run. Wingman told me he was going to run with me for as long as he could. I told him what pace I wanted to run and before I knew it the gun went off and we were heading down the road. I know the course pretty well and it's flat. The Wingman stayed on my right as we made our way around the block and around to Waverly Ave. I knew I was working hard but so far I was OK. I saw my split for the 1st mile and was fine with how I started. Wingman started easing ahead of me but would stay close so he could stay on pace. It was time to turn off Waverly and I looked at my watch and thought "Crap, Ian is just about done with his race and I am slightly more than half way through." 

I kept plugging away and saw my split at the 2nd mile. It was close to the 1st mile split. I only had one more mile to hang in. At this point I didn't see the Wingman on my right anymore. I didn't want to turn my head to look for him since I was trying to negate any small loss of energy. With about half a mile left I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the Wingman's cousin 'Little' Linda. I could barely utter words, it just came out as grunts. I think she understood that I could not talk, but would be more than happy to chat later. 

When the race was over I checked in with Ian and he scored himself a sweet PR and managed to finish 9th overall, 1st in his age group. I am such a slacker. I am heading to the supermarket tomorrow to get me some vegemite so I can be fast like Ian. Even the EES finished 1st in her age group, so we stuck around for the awards to cheer on our friends. Afterwards, the Wingman and I went out to eat with Linda, Tom and his wife.