2013 for me was a season filled with contrasts. The first half of the year was the
worst I've had in 10 years, while the second half of the season contained some of
my best ever performances!
To begin, I struggled with motivation in January and February to get
back on track after three months of off time after my big effort at Rev3 Full the prior September. Had a lot of catching up to do and didn't feel well at
all. The first 6 months of the season were pretty inconsistent from a training and racing standpoint (OK - downright disappointing). I made a coaching change later in the season, and finally got myself back into decent shape to finish the season very strong. I won my first race overall, posted my best results ever in two different national championships, earned a big PR at 70.3 distance, and numerous top 5 overall finishes in triathlon and trail races, which resulted in my highest ever national ranking - so close to All-American status (I was top 5.9%... 5.0% or better is All-American).
My attempt to break three hours at the Cleveland
Marathon was an absolute disaster! The
day was well over 80°, which never bodes well for a fast run. But to make it
worse, I gave myself a case of self-inflicted G.I. distress by taking A pain
reliever I never take as a precaution before the race. At 7 miles then, I was
very much on three hour pace, but I was struck with horrible G.I. problems that
included a lot of blood. For the first
time in my life, I had to shorten the race distance from the full to the
half. I was devastated!
Spring bike racing season was a little bit better. It was my first time racing is a CAT 4. I did
about eight early-season bike races, some as a domestique for my teammates, and
others racing for myself. I had some decent
results, but not nearly as good as I'd hoped for. I just wasn't in good form that early in the season.
I buckled down for some more serious training to get
ready for the triathlon season.
My first tri the season was in June - an Olympic Distance race at
West Branch, where I took 3rd place overall.
My swim was okay, my bike felt terrible, but I had one of my best Olympic
distance runs ever, getting faster and faster with every mile. I was a great feeling, and would be a theme
for my successes the season, as I have traditionally shredded myself on the bike (my ultimate strength) and held on for the run. This season would be different.
The Tour of the Valley cycling stage race was
also a real disappointment for me, with a series of close calls that separated a
great weekend of results, from disappointment.
The time trial this year was shortened (7mi), from an already
short time trial the year before (8.5mi), which is definitely not in my favor.
I raced that a bit flat too, I was 9th. It was a big disappointment, as I was hoping to be on the podium in the time trial.
The road race for me was actually going extremely well, I
was climbing and racing well with the lead pack for 45 of the 54 miles. (I probably should mention that it was over 90° during the 2+ hr road race.) At the bottle hand up area, and I missed all my nutrition, and my back-up electrolytes got lost from my jersey. Miles later, I went
with the breakaway racing up a big hill toward the end. Both hamstrings locked up, I was forced into
a track stand going uphill, which is never a good thing. :-). After licking my arms, neck and anywhere I could find, for salt on my skin from my sweat, I was able to control my cramping
and ride hard by myself to at least finish ahead of others that were kicked out
of the pack. In the future, I will go
back for my nutrition after dropped bottles during a hot race!!
The crit on Sunday was the closest thing to crowning
achievement in a victory placed on a silver platter for me - except I didn't know it!
Long story short, toward the end of the crit, I thought
we had three laps to go when they rang the bell for a $50 premium Sprint. I
positioned myself near the front of the pack, saw somebody launch off the front and
attack, waited until a good spot on the course to respond, broke away, chased
him down, and beat him in a tough sprint at the line for the $50. What I didn't
realize at the time, because I was focused on winning that Sprint, and the
announcers were talking about our sprints and the prize, and not about the fact
that this is the beginning of the last lap, nor did they ring the bell when we came through.
I thought that I had two laps to go, not one. The guy I sprinted with wouldn't work with me and at this point, I thought we still had another
left to go, so I decided to sit up and block and push them back into the main
field, to give my friend Nate a clean break away. Nate ended up winning the race, and I didn't realize that was our last lap until the field sat up after crossing the finish line. Holy shit!
That was the last lap... I was in a position to either win or be second, and I blew it because I didn't realize we were on the last lap! And this is all my fault!
I had a month in between two train and focus on
preparations for nationals in Milwaukee Wisconsin. I also decided to make a coaching change to get my program better aligned with my philosophy and needs. Mentally and physically, the first program wasn't working for me and my performances and daily mindset reflected that. After making the change, I was greatly relieved (the anxiety went away) and my ability to train consistently returned and then strengthened. My new coach is A.J Baucco, a Cleveland born professional triathlete and coach. I had known AJ for a few years and was impressed not only with his accomplishments as a professional athlete, but also with his knowledge of the sport, training and nutrition. He is being coached by one of the best in the world, and truly is a student of the sport... 3+ months in and I am very happy with my choice.
First Overall Win:
I took first place overall in the Greater Cleveland Triathlon in early August. Due to very rough lake conditions, the swim was cancelled and replaced with a second run was added to the race. I blasted the bike and was able to lay down some sub 6:00 miles in the second run to secure the win in my wave. I started in a later wave and had no idea my time was also an overall winning time. That was pretty great!
Back-to-Back USA Triathlon National Championship Races
The 2013 USAT Olympic and Sprint Nationals were held in Milwaukee, WI. I was one of the few (and perhaps stupid) people, to race both the Olympic distance race on Saturday, and the sprint distance
race on Sunday. Virtually everyone else picked one or the other to focus on. I know that racing both days impacted my race performances on both days (holding back the first day, and not being fully rested and fresh the second day). But I am glad I had the experience and still posted good results! I did just miss a Team USA spot for worlds... if I had only raced one day instead of two...
Nationals was a lot of fun because there were a large
number of people from my team (SnakeBite Racing) who raced, and we had a really great
experience in Milwaukee!!
A September to remember:
In September, I had two races left in me... an Olympic at Portage Lakes where I took 3rd overall amateur. I knew I was having a good race coming off the bike, and the run was interesting since 1/2 of it was on single-track trails. It was a blast and I pushed my self harder than I had all season! My fitness was finally back, and I was racing strong mentally as well.
At the end of September, I decided to add a 70.3 race at AJ's recommendation. I wasn't really well prepared in terms of base training for this distance since my whole season was focused on Sprint and Olympic distance... I hadn't done a 70.3 race in 10 years... AJ figured it would be a great distance for me, and I think he is right! I finished 5th overall amateur and loved the race!
AJ wrote a 5 page race plan for me, for the 70.3, and while I questioned a lot of things in it before the race, I followed it to a "T" and had the most amazing race experience! I swam fine, held back on the bike (which is very unusual for me at was at times frustrating), but still had a fast bike time and was able to throw down a fast 1/2 marathon, where each mile got faster and faster. It was an incredible feeling to be that strong so late in a race!
Transition... Trail Running:
After my last triathlon, AJ had me take 2 weeks off anything triathlon related. I decided to give trail running and try and fell instantly in love! By accident, I found the CVNP Trail Race Series in the fall and raced them all and had a great time trying something rather new. Trail running is NOT the same as 5ks, marathons, etc... different skills, paces, strategies and some wonderful venues in which to run! It was a blast!
Big Change in Training... focus on 2014:
Now under AJ, I was training to a new plan and new philosophy. We laid out my 2014 goals, and he built a 12 month training plan around two "A" races... IM Texas 70.3 in April and IM Wisconsin in September. My training volume has increased 20-25% over what my averages were when I was self-coaching myself to a 10h22m Ironman distance... I can't wait to see the results of this training plan, along with AJ's amazing race plans.
After my last triathlon, AJ had me take 2 weeks off anything triathlon related. I decided to give trail running and try and fell instantly in love! By accident, I found the CVNP Trail Race Series in the fall and raced them all and had a great time trying something rather new. Trail running is NOT the same as 5ks, marathons, etc... different skills, paces, strategies and some wonderful venues in which to run! It was a blast!
Big Change in Training... focus on 2014:
Now under AJ, I was training to a new plan and new philosophy. We laid out my 2014 goals, and he built a 12 month training plan around two "A" races... IM Texas 70.3 in April and IM Wisconsin in September. My training volume has increased 20-25% over what my averages were when I was self-coaching myself to a 10h22m Ironman distance... I can't wait to see the results of this training plan, along with AJ's amazing race plans.
