Monday was Victory Day here in Rhode Island, the last state that still takes the day off. It use to be called Victory Over Japan Day, but then someone realized that celebrating the use of the atomic bomb was a bit in poor taste.
As a kid I recalled my grandfather telling me about WWII. About being sunk in the English Channel on Christmas eve. About how they sang Christmas songs to keep there spirits up, and how most of them died in the icy water. I see why celebrating the end to that war, or any war is a good idea. But for me it was just a monday off. These events barely echo in my world. When so much time has past that the people taking the day off can’t really remember what the reasoning was, can’t feel the passion anymore, does it really serve a purpose?
So I celebrated the three day RI weekend with a nice mix of trialthon fun. First was the Block Island trialthon, a race I use to win when it was a small race. But with 400 people now showing up, its much harder. Donny, a friend of mine now, has been timing his trip out there with the race for the last 3 or so years and he simply beats me annually. He took 15th at the National championships so, I try to not let it get me to down. Anthoer faster dude showed up and stomped the field. I took heart from too things. One was that I beat someone who beat me twice earlier this year, so I am clearly getting faster. And second I did better against Donny than I normally do. Third, I felt fast, strong and fit. It was a pretty easy day for a race, I just felt on, thats always a gift.
The second day was a 130 mile ride. It got boring out there, the islands only 8 miles long. Day three was a 19-20 mile run at 7:15 pace with a 30 minute swim after that. Donny after kicking my ass joined me for part of all these work outs as he again tapers for nationals.
i woke up this am and felt like death warmed over. my body is grumpy, today is an emergency recovery day.