Hartley Recap from Tri-Rock! The Big Man showing how it's done on the bike!

Green Member: Tim Hartley

Event: Tri-Rock

Location: Rockwall

Class (yours): M 45 - 49, Clydesdale

Results: Thankful

Local Knowledge and Conditions:  Homeboy race

Pre-Race Strategy & Warm Up:  Jumped in the pool for a 250m warm-up and did quite a bit of work trying to loosen up my achilles.  First part of the swim was good.  At about 180m ran into traffic.  Managed to pass 4 people once I made it into the last lane.  Not sure of my actual swim time but my time through T1 was about 7 minutes.  Only 5 months post R shoulder reconstruction and given the traffic, I was happy with my time up to this point.  Had a good, quick transition onto the bike.  Rode pretty hard anticipating a slow run.  Managed to have the 9th fastest bike time - very happy given the limited number of rides I've had since being released to ride in late June.  BUT, then I had to run - and my achilles pain was just too much to run at a "normal" pace. 

Psychology: I wasn't mentally tough enough to run through my achilles pain. 

Lessons Learned (Or Re-Learned): There is no substitution for training - and being able to train.

Future Goals (include skills executed well and skills needing improvement): Continue to build strength/endurance in my shoulder.  Get treatment to heal the achilles.  Race at the U.S. Open with a thankful mindset.  

Fitness (endurance, nutrition, hydration):  I could lose 10lbs and feel lighter on my feet. 

Something funny that happened:  I passed Ervin's %*^ on the bike!!!  Ha!  Now, if that doesn't motivate my good friend, nothing will!    Oh, I actually placed 3rd on the Clydesdale division because fellow Clyde, Armanda "the bullet" Guerrero, forgot to wear his chip.  Man, he's the nicest guy in the world, as well as a great competitor, and I hated for that to have happened to him!