2004 Year In Review

As the year draws to a close it seems appropriate to spend a few minutes reflecting on 2004's legacy. I entered and completed 7 triathlons and 3 runs of varying distances and challenge levels. My performance was best in the races I viewed as training races or simply for fun. I struggled in races that I'd pegged as 'A' races. There are some definite lessons to be learned: tapering, nutrition, race-day strategy, managing stress, etc.

My training enabled me to place squarely in the middle of my age group in most races, frankly without too much pain and/or agony. I think I can do better in 2005 with a combination of (a) more aggressive training and (b) moving up an age group (yes, I have the big 'five-oh' coming up in 2005.) I'm hoping that 2004 adequately prepared me to step up to a half-Ironman distance race in August, 2005. It'll be a 50th birthday present to myself.

I've always said that I don't have to get faster, I just need to outlive everybody else. Now I realize that I can't control the latter, but the former is firmly within reach.

Hill-climbing on the bike is still a weakness. I have to learn to stop hyper-ventilating at the swim start, as I never seem to recover and swim a good, consistent race. I know the technique but it all goes to hell in the first 200 meters.

Most important of all, though, 2004 was a blast. Mind you, race day alarms going off at 4:00 A.M. had me asking "Why am I doing this to myself?" but I finished each race saying "I'm darn glad I did..." The training has me in the best shape of my life. I'm hanging out with some great people. I finally got my family to come watch an event or two. They still think I'm crazy, but then they always did.

In the end though, I race only with myself. Finishing first, last or (more likely) somewhere in the middle is OK as long as I did my best and had a good time along the way. By that measure, 2004 was a very good year. Thanks to all who watched, cheered, advised, coached and trained with me. Here's a New Year's toast to y'all. You're the best.