This past Sunday I and about 1,000 other people participated in the 32nd (yes, I said 32nd) annual Music City Triathlon.   This triathlon is the second oldest triathlon in the United States.  The location of the race has moved a couple of times and other things have changed but one thing about this race remains constant, it’s one hot race.  This year the race started on the banks of the Cumberland River with the Nashville city skyline in the background.  It’s a pretty cool venue if you ask me.  The temp at the beginning of the race (around 8:00) was already in the low to mid 80′s.  This was slowly but surely going to change a lot during the race.

Team – Magic is the company that puts on this race.  Team – Magic is a company stationed out of Birmingham, Alabama that puts on numerous races throughout the Southeast.  Mad props to them and all of the volunteers on this day.  I can’t begin to tell you how well run this race was.  How was the race itself?  For me it went pretty well.

The swim started in the Cumberland River.  Because of the current and many other factors the race was a time trial start with people going off at three (3) second intervals.  The issue with the first leg of the swim was that it was upstream.  I felt like I was in Tuscaloosa all over again.  For those of you who don’t know, at last years USAT National Championships in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Army Corp of Engineers opened up the dams right before the start of the race.  Once you got into the water it felt like you were swimming in an Endless Pool.  Well, the same thing happened on Sunday again.  Only this time it was just the river itself causing the damage.  Needless to say my swim wasn’t as fast as I would have liked it to be.  I was gapped by two (2) people in front of me and ended up third out of the water.  This was very foreign to me as I am always one of the stronger swimmers in the field.  I was very much relieved when I found out that both people that beat me were also ex-swimmers.

So, out on the bike I started the attempt to real in the two (2) in front of me.  I did manage to catch one (1) of the persons who beat me out of the water.  The other guy, Craig Evans, was hammering up the road and my chances of catching him on the bike were slim and none (and slim just left).  So, I did what I could to stay in contact with him.  This was achieved by just looking for the motorcycle that was traveling with him during the entire bike ride.  The one thing I did notice on the bike was how the heat and humidity were increasing exponentially.  I was having a hard time just keeping my sweaty hands on my aerobars.  It was really starting to heat up!  Coming back into T2 I was riding on an exceptionally sketchy patch of road and almost crashed because my hands were jarred off my bars.  That gave my heart a bit of a jump!

Back into T2 I racked my Orbea Ordu, threw on my racing flats and headed out onto what I knew was going to be a miserable run.  Miserable in the fact that it was now 94 degrees with 80 percent humidity.  I believe the “heat index” at this time was well over 100 degrees.  I thought to myself that “strong and steady” was the “order for the day”.  So, I set off with a goal to run as hard as I could and still cross the finish line without having to cross the line “Julie Moss” style.  Thankfully there were people on the course who were giving me splits in regards to how far behind I was.  Starting out the run (running up and over a pretty steep bridge, uggg) I heard that I was 1 minute and 30 seconds back of the leader.  Now, as all of you know, running isn’t exactly my “thing”.  I thought that there was no way I could make up that amount of time in 6.2 miles.  Again, strong and steady was all I was thinking in this heat.  I was also making sure that going through aid stations that I was getting in enough fluids to keep myself hydrated and cool.  One cup to drink and one cup over the head for 6.2 miles.  Well, I am happy to tell you that my “strong and steady” race tactic worked.  At mile four (4) I saw my friend Craig running up a hill directly in front of me.  He wasn’t looking too well.  All that was left for me to do now was time my pass and then put up a “mentally crushing”  surge that would give him the idea that I was not going to be caught.  Unfortunately for me, the surge had to be done on a pretty steep hill.  So, I did what I had to do.  Up the hill I went.  Way, way, way outside of my comfort zone.  Thankfully the surge worked.  I was able to recover at the top of the hill and subsequent downhill afterwards.  I was now recovered enough to counter any attacks that came from behind.  Thankfully none came and I was able to cross the finish line first and without keeling over.

Now that the race was over it was time to get cooled down.  It took four (4) water bottles poured directly over my head before I started to feel any relief.  I am here to tell you that it was hot, hot, hot!  Anybody finishing this race today deserved a pat on the back.

Afterwards I was interviewed by an individual with The Tennessean named Mike Organ.  This is the article that showed up in The Tennessean today:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100726/SPORTS11/7260334/2215/SPORTS/Brentwood+s+Gennari+wins+Music+City+Triathlon

The best part about the race was what happened afterwards.  Evidently 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George was at the race.  Yes, that Eddie George from THE Ohio State University.  The same Eddie George that is a Tennessee Titan legend!  Eddie was there to support a friend of his who was participating in the Sprint race.  Now, I am not sure if it was a friend of his or his wife.  Like I said, the heat was making easy things (like remembering names) very, very hard.  Anyway, this individual that Eddie was supporting had a rough time in the swim.  Eddie asked if I would talk to her about what she could do to ease her anxiety about the swim.  So I did.  I gave her some very informative information on what she could do to help herself in this area.  The one thing that I told her is that “doing” the activity was going to make her feel more secure about it the next time.  I told her that gaining confidence in swimming in open water was only going to come by her practicing in open water.  I also told her that I too struggle with open water swimming.  Yep, I don’t know if any of you know this but over the past couple of years I have almost developed a phobia about open water swimming.  I am fine when I am in a wetsuit but when I am not in one things tend to “go South” for me mentally.  I battle my own demons when performing in open water without a wetsuit.  I think that just by talking about it openly I help myself.  So there, now you all know.

Anyway, she was very appreciative with the time that I spent with her.  Eddie was also very appreciative as well.  It was a good day.  Anyway, I can sum up my thrill of the day with the following two (2) pictures.  Yeah, that’s me on the right!

Looking at the picture on the right tells me that I need to start doing more sit-ups!  Maybe gain a pound or two (2) as well.

I hope things are going well for the rest of you this summer.  And for those of you who are planning on doing Clearwater, please let me know.  I’d like to coordinate staying in the same place we did last year.  Just shoot me an email if you’re interested.

Bruce TWSS Gennari

It had been several years since I pinned up a race number on a bike jersey. I couldn’t have picked a better race than the Colorado Centurion for a return to the road peloton. This was a new event this year (read preview below), and I only can hope more epic mountain stages like this one make their way to the U.S. racing calendar.

I of course had to start the day with some pick-up from one of my fav BoCo coffee stops :)

The race started out with a neutral roll out out of the town of Lyons. This is a great little town just North of Boulder in the heart of some of the best road and mountain biking to be found. Everything was as predicted the first 25 miles of the race; no attacks and everyone content to sit in until the climbing would start in Left Hand Canyon. At the base of the climb I had to make a quick pit-stop and then had to chase back on to the group, which I had no problem doing. I couldn’t believe the carnage already starting as people were falling off the back early on. The grade of the climb at this point is 3-4% and all the contenders were comfortably riding tempo before the grade turned much sharper towards the top.

I was for sure glad to be riding my Orbea Orca, knowing I’d have the best climbing bike in the peloton. I was also tracking my data with my Timex Global Trainer mounted on the handlebars. This gave me easy access to vital data including distance, time, HR, and altitude: allowing me to gauge my effort appropriately.

As the climb to up to Ward and the Peak to Peak highway continued; the pace would continue to rise with only the top climbers staying in contact. Near the top is where some attacks were thrown to get the KOM jersey (won by Chris Legh), and I found myself just trailing the front riders by 100meters or so. Here is where I made a tactical mistake. I thought there would be a regrouping of the front pack after the summit. But the front 7 decided to keep going over the top! So I missed the front group but was in a solid group of 11 riders and I thought we would bring them back on the descent. But no one was interested in working so the race went up the road. Myself and 3 other riders would set tempo at the front for a while. I would stop pulling in the last 5 miles before the base of the second climb (“super james”) of the day.

The second climb (super james) is for sure a HC climb. This climb utilizes the same entry in the left hand canyon but takes the road to the town of Jamestown. Our group would stay together on the gradual 3-4% climb up to Jamestown. We actually picked up 2 riders at this point who had been dropped from the front group. Once to Jamestown the incline ramps up intensely!! Here no attacks really took place but the sheer grade (approaching 13%) was enough to create separation. I was able to stay at the front trailing 2 other riders who were climbing really well. I was just happy to maintain contact at this point. Over the summit of the climb you hit Overland road; a 2 mile stretch of gravel road with several rollers. I was actually very surprised about the condition of the road. It was super loose with a lot of washboard and potholes. I was struggling to maintain contact while not willing to risk a lot on the turns. At one point I really nailed a pot hole and heard a snap (post-race inspection showed my handlebars slipped by more than an inch!). Other than my bars slipping I managed to regain the 2 guys infront of me to the top of the peak to peak. We were all interested in maintaining our positions so we were working well together. We would actually pick up another 2 casualties from the initial breakaway on the few rollers at the top of peak to peak. This meant there was only 3 left up the road! From this point on it is a long descent back to the finish in Lyons. It would be very tough to attack at this point.

Here is the view on Peak to Peak

The new group of 5 came back towards Lyons together with a few “fake” attacks but nothing serious. I was able to get into the last corner in second position and take the sprint for 4th overall**!

**Now I do have to caveat my finish position. I was listed as fourth place on the standings all day. The final results now have me down to sixth place. The reason for this is the event was ‘chip’ timed, and I guess I crossed the start line several seconds before the other riders in our group. I do not agree with this type of scoring for a bike race (see Tour de France). None the less, not a big deal as I know I can still climb and sprint with some of the top road riders in Colorado!

All in all a great day of racing with some serious climbing! I would highly recommend a Centurion event if you have a chance to do one. (The next one is in Wisconsin!)

Also want to give props to Jess for sticking in there and finishing the race! That is a super tough introduction to Colorado road racing for sure!

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Olympic Distance racing is not my favorite distance. No complaints as a podium finish and picture in the newspaper is acceptable.

When I raced  Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon June 26^th, first time since 2005, and 2 weeks later tackled Boulder Peak, first time since 2007,  I finished with mixed feelings.  I will take the negitive  experiences to better prepare me for Boulder 70.3.   Ironically I have my nutrition and pacing dialed in for Ironman distance  but not Olympic distance.  I don’t  have the speed I once did back in 2005. I did not wear a wetsuit, my goggles  fogged and I felt lost during the swim.  I was able to push my limits on my Orbea, but did not have my quick snappy running legs. I will definitely wear my Aqua-sphere wetsuit and purchase new Aqua-sphere goggles for the Boulder 70.3 race and intake more powergels on the bike so my legs dont crap out on me for the run.  Thanks Team Timex!

One fact of racing triathlons is that each race is different. This was my 3rd year participating at 70.3 Rhode Island. I really enjoy the race. The point to point format makes the race unique. It is a bit challenging from a logistical standpoint, but the course is very fair. The swim is in the ocean off of Narragansette, RI. Then the bike rolls from the beach to downtown Providence, RI. The run is a two loop, hilly, course through downtown Providence.
The swim: 29:35
Paul Regensberg (www.lifesportcoaching.com), my coach, asked me to try to really hit the swim hard. I had qualified for the Hawaii IM at 70.3 Buffalo Springs and Paul wanted me to use this race to start my preparation for Kona. My wave was the 9th of the day. As soon as we started I jumped out to the front and tried to find the right feet to follow. I found feet and I swam with a high effort, but I don’t think this was exactly what was prescribed. I came out of the water quite a bit slower then I was hoping for. However, that’s racing. So I quickly made my way through T1 and out onto my Orbea Ordu.
The bike: 2:21:38
The gameplan for the bike was to take it out hard. This was a different strategy for me on this discipline. Usually I take the first part of the bike a little easier and build into the effort. However, the strategy this day was to go hard and see what I could do on the bike. However, I just couldn’t do it. I was having a hard time keeping my heart rate in my racing zone. I felt muscularly limited. I felt like I was riding pretty well, but I just couldn’t take it up a notch. So I just focused on what I could control, my caloric intake and maintaining a steady effort. As I said at the beginning: each race is different. In 2009, we had a tailwind on the bike section. However, in 2010, we had a headwind. It wasn’t too severe, but it was enough to slow my time by 7 minutes even though I had the exact same normalized power as 2009. I rolled into T2 feeling like I had kept my sodium intake (about 800mg/hr) at the right level. However, I had backed up a bit on my liquid calories. I tried to play catch up a little bit towards the end of the bike as I realized I hadn’t taken that much down. The result of this caloric tardiness was a bloated stomach as I headed out on the run.
The run: 1:18:39
I felt very awkward heading out on the run. So I just focused on shortening my stride and trying to maintain a quick cadence. A few of the pro men were starting their second loop as I was starting my first. So I tried to que off of them to find my pace. This strategy worked pretty well. I was able to hold a decent pace, although I did not feel fluid at all. I went with a slightly different fueling strategy for this run. Usually I hit the cola very early on the run to get the simple sugars. The cola is great to give me a lift, but it plays havic on my GI system. So I had decided to run with a flask of carbopro for the first 9 miles, then switch over to cola for the last 5k. Finally at about the 7 mile mark, I started to feel decent and find a rythm. While I had spent most of the run feeling off, my energy level had stayed very constant. In fact, this was the first race in a long time that I felt stronger at the end of the run. Every race is different.
I crossed the line and looked at my watch: 4:12:39. I was shocked. It was 10+ minutes slower then last year. As I started to talk to other participants I quickly realized that it was completely different race conditions then 2009. I found out later that I was the top amateur overall.