Lobsterman Triathlon

Man, what a weekend. A while ago some former teammates and I decided we were going to do the Lobsterman Triathlon in Maine. It was ranked as one of the most beautiful races in the US so it seemed like a really good idea. That was until I had that race in Virginia a few weeks ago and suuuucked. I thought maybe my racing days were over.

Then there was the concern of how to get there. I really wanted Jake to go and figured we'd have to drive, but I didn't want to put Randy, my blue steed, through 1000 miles in a weekend.

We left Thursday immediately after work. I left Jake in long term parking with Randy - and a note that said "I'm coming back! I'm not a horrible dad! I just left! Give me a break!" Once I took the bus to the terminal I had to turn around and hop on another to get a rental car. But then it was smooth sailing. Jake was fine, and the car ran great. We had lots of room and ... XM radio! So Jake got bluegrass through New England until we arrived at Shannon and Steve's place, Clear Point Center, in Connecticut about 4 am.

We headed up to the race together the next day, and began one of the best weekends ever in Freeport, Maine. The trees, the bay, some camping, a little fire, a great race, and a lobster bake with Gritty McDuff's beer to top it off. I was more than a little blissed out.

The only down side was leaving Jake with a complete stranger while I raced. I had no one to watch him until a friend of a friend of a friend volunteered. Thanks Sofia! He wasn't too happy about it and I could hear him from across the campground before the race started. As my ears began to freeze during my warm up I thought I'd either have to do something about it or let it go, so ...

I raced really well. I had a super fun swim (after being repeatedly punched in the face by this guy who couldn't quite figure out how to draft effectively). There's nothing like a wet suit in salt water at 58 degrees. It felt like swimming through the air and I came out ahead of the pack. The bike was just enough rolling hills to keep me moving and I felt fast. Then my run fell right in line with really consistent splits and - voila! What a race.

And Jake was fine. Sofia and he greeted me at the finish line. She did not jump up to put her paws on my shoulders, but I got his. She said he was a very good boy the whole time. (Maybe I can dig up some pictures.)

We walked, we mingled, we got a massage. By the end of the day people were saying hello to him by name. He was a big hit. When everyone finished, Gritty McDuff's sponsored a lobster bake, with clams, potatoes, corn and famous Gritty's beer afterwards. So good! So good!

Steve, Shannon and I returned to the Clear Point Center in Connecticut for a long nap, an apple upside down cake and a walk in the woods before I had to head back south. Jake got to run in the woods and wade in a couple ponds, so he was a happy camper too.

Throw in a long drive back to Virginia and it's another 72 hours I will never remember. I coudln't be more glad. One heck of a trip.