A brick in triathlon terms is a two-sport training event, either swim/bike or bike/run, since that’s how the race is run.  I have mixed them up before, and this series I intend to do several three-sport training events.  However, today was a pretty simple swim/bike session.

I am determined this time to do the majority of the swim training in open water; it is so vastly different than swimming laps in the pool.  So with my trusty support guy, we loaded the truck with all the crap it takes to accomplish a brick:

why people don't do triathlons
why people don't do triathlons
yes, I am aware of the hotness factor of the swimcap AND goggles
yes, I am aware of the hotness factor of the swimcap AND goggles

The nearest open water to my house is the southern end of Percy Priest Lake.  The lake has the reputation of being filthy.  It is well deserved.  It wasn’t so bad swimming in it, but it was the charming, pond-scum aroma it left on my skin, hair, and trisuit afterward that was so disgusting.  Jesse paddled about in the canoe (the leaking canoe) while I swam, and we were out there about 50 minutes.

sexy, huh?
sexy, huh?
trying to ruin the camera, but you just had to see the Titanic going down
trying to ruin the camera, but you just had to see the Titanic going down

We rode past the Nashville Motor Speedway, where I thought we should have done a criterium on the track, but instead we headed down a peaceful, rural two-lane. Peaceful until the first of THREE dogs ran us down for a confrontation. One was so fat it couldn’t keep up, one we surprised as he bounded out of the woods, and one was a boxer that I actually hit with my bike, but we both survived it without too much damage.

Does the water look that bad?
Does the water look that bad?
between dogs 1 and 2
between dogs 1 and 2

So this brick is done – felt very strong in the water and on the bike.  Thanks to Jesse for patrolling the water and keeping me safe from ski boats, fishermen, and Kraken.

Wore the iPod, but as my ears filled with water, it sounded less like music, and more like your neighbor’s stereo through sheetrock, so choice of the day is Creedence, Proud Mary, cuz that’s the one I could most easily recognize.

Thanks for reading