Swinging for the Fences

Normally this is where we, meaning me the Editor, goes in and manipulates race write ups handed to me to make them more entertaining and enjoyable for me to read as sometimes I think I am the only one who reads this blog.  However, since the Big Fella did so well at his Tri yesterday and I doing an honest cut/paste so you hear it all directly from him.  (I must say he is getting better at third personing himself)

"Block showed up for the final race of the 3 race T REX Series.  The first two races didn’t go as planned.  In June, Block was on antibiotics recovering from pneumonia although he was able to pull through with a decent 1:13:22 given the situation.  However, post-race, Block had to cease serious training to let the lungs heal and he withered in the 94 degree heat trying to tackle the July race, putting down a 1:20:14.

But today he felt good and had completed 3 weeks of proper training along with a decent pre-race week.  Weather was nice, cold for August in the low 70’s and very little wind.  Upon check-in, his hope for a good transition spot was dashed as he got his number, knowing that #15 put him against the west wall again.  Still, that didn’t deter him as it only costs a handful of seconds.  Of course, when Block looked at the premium center aisle, he saw Steve setting up there.  Steve, CA president and former pro triathlete, has been unbeatable by Block over the years.  Block knew today would not be the day as Steve was in top form, fresh off a #24 age group finish at Nationals in Milwaukee on Sunday.  Block got all setup and ready with plenty of time for a pre-race warm up swim.  After the warm up, he made a last minute change with bike shoe strategies and started with them off the bike instead of on the pedals.  Block had also decided to forgo his traditional triathlete garb and instead sport the Motor Team jersey for a little good luck.

Swim start was chaotic, lots of banging, felt a little bit like rebounding in the paint at a basketball game.  But Block is big and jostling with the other triathletes was okay.  Block felt like he was making good progress, drafting when he could and just swimming hard when he was isolated.  As he hit the shallows, saw 14:26 on the clock which was good.

Transition went fast, the shoes slipped right on and Block was able to cover ground rapidly in them.  He was also able to clip right in once he mounted the P4.  Only problem was his right contact popped out and was sitting on his cheek.  Block thought about and decided to one eye it given the familiar easy bike and run courses.  Quickly spinning up to speed, Block realized that he was really moving fast.  He was passing people at a steady clip which was surprising given that his swim put him in a good position.  A glance at the Garmin showed 25 mph which explained the passing.  Block decided to leave nothing for the run and just go hard on the bike.

T2 went fine as well but as Block started the run his left calf started to cramp, just on the verge of being a problem.  As Block motored on, he glanced at the Garmin to see his pace which was zero.  Expletive Garmin!  Trying to fix it, he stepped right on the edge of the road, turning his left ankle.  Expletive Garmin!  Finally, after some futzing which probably cost some seconds, he realized the GPS had stopped working so he gave up.  It was hard to see the Garmin with one eye while running anyways.  

Just before the turnaround, Block saw Steve, and said good job as he approached.  Steve was completely startled to see Block only about 3 minutes behind him but with only a mile to go, he knew Block wouldn’t catch him.  Block tried to pick up the pace as he knew he had a chance to go under 1:10 which had been his original goal for all 3 of the races pre-season.  But it was not to be, once in view of the clock, Block either needed a Usain Bolt finish or he wasn’t going under but still finished with his best time at this venue of 1:10:08.

That time was good for 48^th overall out of 261 men and 12^th in the 45-49 age group out of 57."

So sure we have given the Big Motor a hard time all season for his jibber jabber about running, swimming and mixing apple sauce with weird powders.  But we want to give props to Block for taking all his lumps this season battling pneumonia, racing mountain bikes for the first time at the ripe old age of 45 and also putting up with us...well Jon mostly, and all our crap.  Your rookie season is almost over and by this time next year you'll probably still have the least seniority but you'll be another year older and wiser.

Great work Ken!  Keep on truckin!!!