Jon's Jibber-jabber

This is also known as the Hell of Frederick....I just made that up myself but it's astonishingly accurate.  I wanted a challenge and that is what I got.  I registered for this after moving back north.  I spend many days in Frederick during my college years and after, working at two theatre companies located downtown.  I would be nice to be in familiar territory for such a challenge.  It is only an hour from me.  That close, I decided to drive up in the morning.  I think that was a good idea, sleeping in my own bed the night before.  The ride starts in Frederick's beautiful downtown.  Frederick is such a quintessential northeastern American town with red brick houses and church spires everywhere.  Small tree lined streets flow in a grid that lead from quaint crossing to crossing of a small stream.  From there, the route headed west toward the Catoctin Mountains.  This is where it lost the charm.  Within the first five miles, we were climbing.  Not just any climb, no this was H

Opening up this year's triathlon season (and closing out said season) was the Baltimore Triathlon.  Due to my move, some health issues, and loads of other factors, I focused mainly on cycling and base building this year.  No time for triathlon...until now.  As they say, better late than never.  This is my second time participating in this race.  Last time, I easily won my age group in the Olympic division, mostly due to my ability to adapt to pouring rain, floating driftwood, and cold temperatures.  I always perform better in adverse conditions.  That year it was an inaugural event and I was just off of an Ironman training cycle.  This time would be different, but I felt confident that I could put in a good race.  I only needed to get through the swim, which is nearly absent from my training this year.  And so began my first and last triathlon of the season. Race Week Race week was pretty chill as I didn't have to prepare much for the race.  I needed a small taper, whic