Battle at West Branch - Olympic Tri - 3rd overall

My first triathlon of the year (and also my first open water swim of the year... yikes).  Although, I only did this only as a training race after a hard week of training (including 50 miles on the bike the day before), I ended up taking 3rd overall!!   All of the distances were long (per their website and my Garmin both) so my splits were "longer" than usual...  swim was >1500m, Bike 26.2mi, run 6.5mi.

The swim started well and I settled into a good rhythm.  I found some feet that I thought would be good to follow, and pace-wise, they were... however, the guy couldn't navigate to save his life, and I had to go it alone half-way into the first loop until the end.  That cost me being with the lead group.  I had no idea if I was swimming well or not, and when I got out of the water and saw 28:XX - I thought it was a bad swim,  but quickly reminded myself that I've had shorter times and placed worse - that each swim is unique, and it is only time relative to the rest of the field that matters in the race when you are fighting for the podium.  Turned out I was about 20% in the swim (which for me is higher- I'm usually 30-35%).  I did let this affect me in transition, though...  feeling a little frustrated thinking it was a bad swim and losing a little drive for a fast transition.

On to the bike.   Legs were definitely feeling tired from the get-go.  I just focused on getting into a good rhythm and pushing it.  The course did have one out and back section where I could see who was a few minutes in front and behind me.  I could see a couple in front for sure, and a bunch behind.  Better than the other way around, I suppose.  Kept pushing it, but just wasn't feeling super-fast.   Some of that was the rolling bike course - didn't "feel" as fast as just hammering along a flat road.  I averaged about 23mph (which turned out on this rolling course to be 3rd fastest bike split).  As tired as my legs felt, I started worrying about having nothing left on the run, but like always on the bike - I wanted to get all I could on the bike and let what happens next just happen...

Coming into transition, I started to get more excited about my placement, seeing only a few bikes on the rack (5 I think) before me...  I was in reach of a podium spot if I had a good run!

Heading out on the run, it was kind of a crazy serpentine through the parking lots, then uphill.  I got my legs going under me and the turn-over felt pretty good.  Surprisingly good.  I caught a couple people and one guy I followed out of transition was pulling away from me (he ended up 2nd overall). First mile split (uphill) was 6:50... good start.   But could I hold that for the next 5.5 miles?

All winter and spring, my run has dogged me.  3 months of inactivity after Rev3 Full last fall, followed by starting to quickly and getting plantar fasciitis, then 2 months of hot/cold training with a new coach, my run fitness and confidence was suffering coming into the season.   One big problem, was my mental fight and will was nowhere to be found...  in training I would stop, rest or walk way too often...  and my only race experience this year was the Cleveland Marathon debacle...  I was very pessimistic about my ability to fight on - but wanted to find out.

Mile 2 was heading toward a marina, with some out-and-back... I saw a couple guys in front of me.  Good sign perhaps.  6:45 mile... so I was holding pace... but not breaking any records.   Mile 3 was the return of the out-and-back, but I didn't realize it.  I saw like 10 more guys who I thought were in front of me (actually they were heading out while I was heading back)... that got in my head and I thought I was more like 13th place than 3rd place...   Mile 3 was about 6:30.  Coming back into the main lot, I asked Eric Gibb and Patty Banks (who were watching the race) what place they thought I was in and they said they couldn't tell either...  kind of confusing course and all...

I just focused on keeping my run pace going, as I was finally running well... back uphill to do the 2nd lap and I was about 6:45.  It was then that I had figured out the pack of guys I saw were behind me and I was truly in a top 3-5 position.  That helped provide the drive to keep pushing the legs and not back off or give in to the pain of pushing it - which has been my mental problem all winter/spring.

The last 2 miles it was now clear that I was probably in a podium spot, and I lifted the pace even more... knowing the pain would be over in 12 minutes or so.  Mile 5 was about a 6:30... mile 6 was a 6:10 (downhill)... I was flying into the finish!   last 0.5 miles of flat, serpentine was also about 6:10 pace.

I finished strong, and after the final results were posted confirming my 3rd place overall - I was happy.

What I was most happy about was the fact that I started the run on tired legs, questioning what position I was in the race, and kept pushing the pace faster and faster on the run, and the mind finally cooperated!

Tour of the Valley - 3 day stage race - July 2012 (1st place in GC, 3 podiums in 3 days)

Tour of the Valley - 3 day stage race - July 2012

After 8 years as a triathlete and marathon runner, 2012 was my first season where I did "cycling only" races.  I have always been a strong cyclist in triathlon (often posting one of the top bike splits in the race), but my previous coaching wouldn't "let" me do bike races because of the risk of crash sidelining my efforts toward my goal races (an Ironman race or Nationals).  It was frustrating at times, because I knew I was a strong cyclist and studied strategy from watching years of cycling on TV. 

I was really excited to get to "stretch my legs" in bike racing and see what I could do.

Before the 3 day Tour Of the Valley (TOV) race, I figured I had better get a little 'real' experience beforehand, and raced in a couple of the Westlake Tuesday night Crits.   The first race, I was the lead out for a teammate, won 2 of 3 "preem" laps and placed surprisingly high (5th) for my first time...  the next week, I WON the race!  I was getting the feel for the flow of a crit, working within the pack, how to communicate and plan with teammates on the move, etc.

With an Ironman race later in the season, I was training through the TOV race.  The week leading up to the race, I was still training hard...  with a 100 mile hard ride just 5 days before TOV started.  I would feel that later!!

I guess it was time for the TOV... (ready or not).

The Tour Of the Valley is a 3 day stage race is composed of:
Friday afternoon = Time Trial  ("the race of truth" = you against the clock, fastest time wins)
Saturday morning = Road Race (big group, long course, first to the line wins - lots of strategy)
Sunday morning = Criterion (Crit = also a big group, but a short course 1-2 miles, lots of laps, lots of turns, fast,fast,fast - and lots of strategy as well)
In addition to the three individual races, there is the "General Classification" - the overall leader of the multiple stages based on points for placement in each event.

Friday night's Time Trial "should have been my best event" - as a time trial expert from triathlon.  I underestimated the "mindset" change required for me to put it all out there and not hold anything back for the run.  The course only took about 20 minutes, and I am trained for races that are 1 - 6 hours... and hadn't specifically prepared for the shorter, higher intensity effort.  Plus, I had a LOT of miles in my legs, which were feeling tired. 

I can laugh at myself a little bit... I have never practiced a formal Time Trial start (where you are on an elevated start house with an official holding your bike upright before the start.   I was a little worried about going right off the ramp and crashing on the side of the road... and as I was thinking about that, a rider a few in front of me actually did this!  Came right off the side of the ramp and crashed into the ditch in front of lots and lots of people, and that one mistake cost the entire weekend of racing.  That really got in my head before the start...  I was afraid to lock both feet into my pedals before the start because I wasn't confident in the official holding my bike (for no reason, except that I hadn't done it before)... then as they counted down to my start, I realized that the guy was going to let go of my bike and I would just fall over if I wasn't clipped in...  then I panicked - loudly yelling "I'm not ready yet... I'm not ready yet!!"...  Fumbled around for 5-10 seconds before getting my feet clipped in, and thankful that the official didn't just let me go at "0" like usual... 

Once I got started, I was embarrassed and quickly that changed to a laugh at myself, and then focus on pushing hard in order to have the best race I could.  In the race, they start the cyclsits every 30 seconds... so I knew if I caught someone, I was making great time.  In the first few miles I picked off a couple of guys that started before me.  I had two teammates further up the road, and set my goal at trying to chase them down.  Just before the 1/2 way point, I caught and passed one teammate and saw the other one.  I was having a good race.


I was able to push myself rather hard throughout the race without blowing up.  I passed a few more people before the finish line where I gave it my everything.   I took 3rd place for the night and had my first official USAC sanctioned race under my belt.  I was honestly disappointed about not being 1st overall...  but I realize in hidsight that I trained right through this race for the Ironman, had dead legs, and never practiced the shorter time-trial efforts needed for this particular event.  2013, I will have a different goal on Day 1!!   I did manage to turn in the fastest time on our racing team by a pretty good margin...

The TT was held at a nice winery, and the awards / podium event were there.  They had a great outdoor restaurant and we had an awesome time afterwards... one of us had too much of a good time...  (more on that later)

DAY 2:  Road Race
We woke up early to do a review of the course.  It was important to see the 6 "high roller" hills/climbs that were on course, as well as closely inspect the last few miles of the race leading in to the finish - to get landmarks and know exactly how far from the finish we were at certain points.  That's really important to knowing when to go, or when to hold back - so you don't play all your cards before the finish.   Since I was on the podium in stage 1, I was also in contention for the GC (overall for the 3 days).  So a strong finish at the Road Race for me would help solidify that.  On race morning, we decided the team would work for two of us, Zac (a good climber and roadie) and myself (unproven roadie, but in 3rd in GC going into the day).

The race started off with a very uncomfortable pack.  No one wanted to take the lead and work, and it seemed we kept slowing down and bunching up at the bottom of the downhills...  Frustrating first few miles. Then we got some open road and brought up the pace. When we got to the first decent climb, I didn't know what to expect from the peleton. I was prepared to go with a break / attack if there was one, and stayed close to my teammates. I had never been in a road race with hills before and didn't know what to expect.

By the 2nd of 6 significant climbs, it was clear there were about a dozen stronger riders that wanted to break up the pack, including the "yellow jersey". Zac, Eric and I decided to go with that move and picked up the pace. The next two climbs people started attacking on the climbs and we went with the attacks. On the downhill after the 4th climb, I let my momentum carry myself out front of the rest of the group, and was alone in front.  No one chased me down, and I didn't want to do all of the work myself now, and be toast later... I knew better...  so I took the next climb conservatively, yet the pack didn't catch back up to me.  What were they up to?   I didn't want to remain out front in the wind by myself, but from review of the course, knew there was a set of railroad tracks up ahead, and in the light rain/mist, woudl be very slippery to cross.  I've seen enough crashes at crossings to know I wanted to be in front and away from people if possible to avoid a crash slowind me down.  I pushed it to that point, crossed safety, then I backed off, recovered and saved my energy and "forced" the group to join me.

The last climb was a bit more decisive, as expected.  There were lots of attacks, and I went with each one... our group was down to a select few now, with about 8 miles to go.  Now the games begin.  We had to work together enough to keep people from catching back up to us (letting them back into the race)... but no one wanted to do too much work, and tire their legs before the final sprint... cat and mouse.  I did a good job just 'sitting in' and letting others do most of that work.  Doesn't sound noble, but that is bike racing!!  With about 2 miles to go the pace was really getting whipped up.  Well into the 30+ mph rangen and now people are jockying for position (at times, quite physically - lots of bumping and grinding of shoulders to hold or take the position the position you want). 

With 1 mile to go, and a slight downhill, we were about 40mph, and a guy next to me started to lose control for some reason, and got his handlebar tangled with mine... not good.  I wanted to shove him off, but realized we were locked together, so I would crash myself if I did so.  Somehow, we figured it out (again at over 40 mph) and got unlocked... and that's when I made my move.   Since I am stronger than most, but not necessarily the very fastest at the peak of a sprint, I wanted to go a little early and power my way to the finish.  That is how I won the race at Westlake a couple weeks before.  I shot off and give it everything I had. 

There was no one in front of me... the finish line was getting closer and closer...  I was still in the lead... into the barricades with about 200m to go - I was still in the lead, and feeling the pressure... and feeling the burn - this freakin' hurts!!!  I kept pushing it, and then I heard the sound of wheels behind me - shit...  out of the saddle, everything I've got, 50 m to go... and two guys popped around me just at the finish to edge me out!  Dammit... 3rd place (still very happy about that).  Kudos to those two guys - they timed it just right!  I was still thrilled... two races, two podiums... in my first officially sanctioned races.  This was cool!

Two back-to-back podiums earned me enough points to move into 2nd place overall in the GC.

Day 3:  Criterion (CRIT)
Now the pressure is on... 2nd place in the GC with one day to go.  I have some experience in crits... this could be interesting!!

Eric, Zac, Mark and I lined up at the start together.  It was clear now the team was going to work together to support me, and these guys did a fantastic job doing so!  They helped chase breaks, kept me out of the wind most of the time, and communicated really well.

The pace was insanely fast from the start... usually the first couple of laps are slower as the group sorts themselves out... but this day we were 28-30mph from the get-go!  The yelllow jersey was pushing the pace and trying to shake people out of the race from the beginning.  A good strategy for him and his strengths.  It tore the field up pretty quickly.  We had to react quickly to stay on, and we did.

As the race progressed, we were able to stay in good position and because of the multiple laps, I could get a really good read on how to lead in to the finish.The course (multiple 1.5 mile loops)  has one nasty climb just before the finish line - which suits me just fine!

There was a "preem" lap (a prize for the particular lap) and we let others fight for it.  The goal now was a high finish for me to secure the overall GC.  We thought we had the whole group together and under control going into the finish.  There were the other GC contendors that we needed to keep track of, and they were with us.  What we didn't realize, was that the person that won the last "preem" lap, stayed off the front. 

They ring a bell to signify we are starting the last lap, like a boxer hearing the bell... it sent shivers and excitement down my spine... this was it!!!  The group was flying now and jockying for position going into the final mile of racing.  I was in a pretty good spot, about 10-12 from the front - right where I wanted to be before the last big turn.

I was feeling the fatigue of the 3 days of racing in my legs... would I have what it took to finish this?  The expression, "Shut Up Legs" made famous by professional cyclist Jens Voigt, was in my head big time... THIS WAS IT!!!

As we rounded the turn, I was feeling tired and excited at the same time... but I was singulary focused now...  I knew what needed to be done and how I was going to do it...  it all comes down to this!!

Coming out of the turn in perfect position, I launched my attack at the base of the climb and powered my way up, passing people left and right...  this was an all-out assault on the pack, and frankly, on my legs - they were screaming - but it was almost over...

As I topped the hill, I could see the finish line less than 400m away, and no one in front of me...  I had to keep hammering... I did NOT want to get caught at the finish like the day before and pushed and pushed and pushed my tired legs.

I crossed the finish line in front !  I couldn't believe it!  I DID IT!!!!

Then, cooling my legs down, I turned the corner and saw another cyclist ahead of me...  dammit - I forgot about the guy that broke away and stayed away at the last preem lap...  so it turns out that I was 2nd place on the day... but still excited that I won the bunch sprint, and potentially won enough points to win the GC overall.

That is 3 podiums in 3 days...  I can't believe it - and I LOVE bike racing!!!


General Classification:  Overall Winner!!
The 2nd place finish on Sunday secured me just enough points to take the overall title for the 3 day race.  I was really just thrilled to have the yellow jersey presented to me on the podium.

SnakeBite Racing Team
We had a great turn-out from the team (10+) and got a lot of press exposure.  3 of my teammates were interviewed on TV on Friday night (we saw them on the news afterwards), and my picture from the TT was the cover page of the Saturday sports page!

The days of racing brought us more together as a team, and forged some new friendships as well.

Huntington Triathlon Race Report - 2nd Overall, 1st in Age Group

This was my first sprint triathlon in a few years. I've been focused on Ironman racing the past few years, and this year has been all Olympic Distance. I am focused on the USAT National Championships in August in Burlington,Vermont. I thought a sprint 4 weeks out would be a good idea. Sprints are short distance - and as the name implies - "a full-on, all-out, redline from the start" sprint race... that lasts about one hour.

To race a sprint well, demands a high degree of mental focus - not only because of the pain factor, but also because any lapses in concentration that allow you to slow you down result in time lost thatyou don't get back.

Plus - this is a great, fun local race to see friends and teammates, as well as experience the pain and high intensity as a solid brick workout in preparation for Nationals in 4 weeks.

Besides not having done a sprint tri in a few years... I haven't had a rest day in 18 days. I was doing this race at the end of the most intense triathlon training week I've had all season (or ever?). Every workout this week was either high intensity speedwork or hill work or a combination of both. Nothing "zone 3" about this week. So, this day, my legs were totally dead... today would normally have been approached as a rest day, but with the "big one" in 4 weeks, and a real taper on the horizon, I went for it.

PRE-RACE:
I got to the venue about 6:30am like I do for all 8:00am starts. Gives me time to get all settled in without any rushing, do my warm-ups and have time to socialize with people before the race. This race being one of the bigger "local" races, I wanted to have plenty of time to chat with the 13+ teammates doing the race and my other friends.

During my warm-ups, I felt like crap. I was beyond "flat" - I worried this was going to be a bad day. I also made it a bit more difficult than it needed to be by blowing out both tube and new tire while bunny-hopping some bad road stuff at about 28mph... BOOM... I knew what happened instantly... and I was 2 miles from the transition area - where I had just made the conscious decision to remove my tools/CO2/spares and race without the weight since it was a sprint race. I am NOT making that decision again! (See my "Murphy's Law" post) Thankfully, one of our team sponsors (Bike Authority) had a tent on site and took care of me while I finished my pre-race routine. Thanks Mike!

SWIM:
This was an age-group only race, and I was in the second wave with the others in the 35-39 age group. I really prefer when the top overall contenders start together in the same first wave... you know exactly where you stand that way. Anyhow...

When the "gun" fired, I sprinted into the clear, calm water of Lake Erie along with the other 50 or so in my age group. Dolphined twice until I was deep enough to swim properly. I immediately went full-speed until the first turn buouy... then started looking for feet to draft off of. Didn't find a reliable pair of feet, though.

Well - this is a sprint race... there is no time to settle into a real rhythm... it is all out from the gun. As I mentioned, I felt crappy, flat and tired before the race started... this continued through the swim. Maybe I just didn't get enough warm-up before the race from my flat situation... whatever the reason... Lungs and arms burning...

My swim has improved rather significantly this year over after the last few years of being "flat"... but I will be the first to admit, there is still more work to do.

I got out of the water, unsure about my position... all I knew is that there was a 1/4 mile uphill run to the transition area to start the bike... and it was a chance to get some time back on those who beat me out of the water. I probably passed 10 people in that short run who were fiddling with wetsuits or recovering from the swim while jogging up to transition... but in a sprint race, every second counts... and I would win time back. I had the fastest run up to the transition area on the day... 2:14 vs 3:00 or more for most people. Again, in a sprint this is make or break!


BIKE: I had the fastest overall bike split of the triathlon + duathlon!
After the fast run up from the beach to transition, I had time to mentally prepare for this transition. It went extremely smoothly and quickly.

Out on the bike, I hadn't slipped my feet into my shoes yet- I wanted to build up to full speed and get around the first corner before doing so. Then, I realized I was with a strong looking guy with a "G" on his leg (my age group) who was also moving fast. I cranked up the speed to 30mph or so to make sure I got around this guy and not let him think about hanging on. After 100 yards and another turn, I knew I had dropped him and finished getting my shoes on.

Now it was time to hammer on the bike... my true strength...

I started passing people who started in the wave before me, and a few from my wave... bang, bang, bang... I was carrying good speed, and my legs were finally starting to feel decent. (Remember, I was riding without a rest day in about 18 days.) I continued to pass people from the wave that started before me - which meant I was really 4 minutes ahead of them.

About half way through the bike course, we came off a bike trail and had a hard left onto the road... I was carrying a lot of speed into the turn, and apparently too much! The police officer controlling the intersection kept yelling to me to slow down, he was right, as I leaned hard into the turn I realized I was going too fast, touched the brakes, fish-tailed around the corner, feeling happy to have stayed on the road!!

After a couple more turns, I was on the final long straight run back to transition along beautiful Lake Road. I had just turned myself inside-out with a group on Wednesday on that stretch of Lake Road that week. I kept reminding myself how much that hurt, and how I hung in - even when I felt I couldn't anymore...

I kept my head down, my legs pumping and flew toward transition where a huge crowd was waiting for the athletes to come in. I know the roads well, and knew to slip my shoes off well before transition, so I didn't have to fiddle with them while navigating some rough road and other cyclists coming in from the duathlon.

I came screaming into transition, heard friends cheering me in... I knew I had a good ride! I did a flying dismount, almost missed the timing chip mat and scrambled over to rack my bike and start the run.

T2 was also a smooth, quick and efficient transition for me.

RUN: (11th fastest run split overall)
I started the run flying down the hill... I still hadn't put on my hat or race belt, but I wanted to keep focused on starting the run hard and fast and get down the hill, and up the short, steep hill on the other side, before screwing around with that stuff. I came to an aid station and just grabbed some water - a mouthful just to refresh the mouth, and the rest on my head.

Even though this was a short race, it was already rather hot, and very, very humid. I pushed on and finished the first mile in about 6:20 pace. Not great, but not bad. The second mile was along the out-and-back section where you get to see the other guys and know how far ahead/behind they area.

I was really pushing it now... I knew I had a good chance to be top 3 overall after seeing where everyone was...

Mile 2 was 6:10. Good.

Mile 3 was coming back around the park. Like most people were feeling at this time, the intensity of the race was starting to catch up to me. I knew where most every one was, and didn't have anyone right around me to chase, or that was chasing me. There were a couple of guys from the earlier wave in front of me, so I set the challenge to catch them (even though in reality they were 4 minutes back). The last mile was a bit slower... about 6:40 I think.

Coming to the end of the race, the new course had us running down and back up the short little hill to the finish. The cool thing was that the big crowd surrounded the final hill back to the finish. There was a wonderful tunnel of screaming, cheering people we ran through to get to the last right had turn to the finish line. I liked that!

I came into the finish and stopped my watch... 1:02:XX. Great time! I knew I got everything I wanted to out of the day (and my body). It was a challenging pace to carry for the full hour... higher intensity than an Olympic Distance triathlon - an excellet training race!

I knew that Brian Stern started in the wave behind me and would be coming soon... question was - how soon. I watched the clock, and saw him come in at about 1:01:XX. I knew he beat me - but I expected it. He has a sick run... He's one hell of a great triathlete! Gives me a new target to shoot for next season.

Post-Race:
My team, SnakeBite Racing, had about 15 athletes racing today, and we had an excellent showing!
I had 2nd overall of the 300 person triathlon...
Mike Larimer had 1st overall of the 75 person duathlon...
Eric Gibb returned to racing after his knee surgery earlier this year...
Martha was 2nd overall in the women's race, Angie 4th, and many of the rest our team won age group awards! Great job, team!

It was wonderful getting to see so many other friends at the race, as well as watch people trying the sport for the first time. I loved listening to the chatter of the newbies before and after the race. We were all newbies once!

I'm finished racing now until August 20th in Burlington, Vermont!

Time for 2 more serious weeks of intense training, then I will start the taper...

Maumee Bay Olympic Triathlon Race Report - June 19, 2011

SUMMARY:
Maumee Bay yielded my highest overall finish so far in an Olympic Triathlon – 6th, against a challenging field and and a PR (2:09:57) on a very windy day. I “went for broke” in the swim and bike and held on in the run. I battled the wind and ended up with the fastest bike split overall in both the Olympic Triathlon and Duathlon! My swim improvement continues, with a 17th overall swim split (compared to 55th last year and 29th at Deer Creek). My run was a bit disappointing, a combination of upset stomach from over-hydration on the bike and fatigue from the bike. I was 1 minute slower than my consistent 40-41min 10k... But this has been the goal this season to date – race harder from the gun, earlier in the day and see what effect it has on my run and overall position.


Last season, I suspected I was holding back too much in the swim and bike. I'd feel (too) good during the run, and while finishing the run strong, I was wondering if I was leaving too much on the table. What I am learning so far this season is that I can push myself harder and earlier in the race, and have a better total race!


SWIM:
This was my second race in the Elite category, starting in the first wave with the fastest athletes. My strategy this year, was to go all-out in the first 5 minutes or so, to stay with the faster swimmers, and then find some feet for drafting/pacing (totally legal in triathlon). It worked pretty well in Deer Creek, so I tried it again this week. It is a physical bunch, really fighting for position. No one backs down. There is a LOT of contact (incidential and sometimes intentional) - so you really have to be aggressive and careful at the same time.

My disadvantage in years past continued to be my swim. I worked on that a lot this winter, and I'm happy to say that I have made a big improvement, with more work to do. So, I had confidence that I could sustain faster speeds, and pushing it so hard from the gun was to put me with the faster swimmers who would help set a faster pace. In the lake, with no "walls" to help you know your pace per 100m, you have to rely on the other swimmers as well as your perceived effort to gauge your speed.

I had more trouble finding a good person to draft on... I bounced between a few sets of feet, and sometimes just had to swim in open water on my own to hold the correct line to the next turn. I wasn't sure if I was in a good position in this swim, because of the trouble to find other fast swimmers, so I kept pushing harder, thinking I started too slowly.


Bottom line, I came out of the water 17th - my highest swim rank ever in Olympic - compared to consstent 50th-60th places last year. BIG improvement in position and time. Good start to the day.


BIKE:
It was quite windy at the start of the race, and I expected it to get worse as the morning went on (and it did!). I was mentally prepared for the cross-winds, and the relentless headwinds - as Maumee is quite flat and open and there is nowhere to hide from the wind.

After being encouraged by a strong swim, I started hammering the bike from the start. I've learned how to ride in the wind, when to push it in the tailwind sections where other people take it easy, and how to push just enough into the headwinds to drive forward, without blowing my legs out. It was working and I was picking off cyclists one by one.

At one point, I passed two guys who were battling for position, and they told me they were the last ones, that I was in the lead. What? I didn't believe them fully... but used that thought to become the rabbit being chased by the hounds, and took the motivation to push the pace harder yet. Turns out they were wrong, and I came up on a couple more competitors during the bike course. Regardless, they added just another spark to drive me forward.



The second loop was noticably windier than the first. Could really feel it in the cross-winds - to know it wasn't just my legs getting tired. It was windy!

2 weeks prior, at Deer Creek, I didn't drink enough, and that hurt my run. This time, expecting the wind to add to dehydration problems, I drank extra on the bike. Plus, in a stupid move, I mixed my fluids stronger (still don't know why I thought that was OK to do... I know better)... and by mile 18 on the bike, my stomach was upset. Stupid!

I later learned that I had posted the FASTEST BIKE SPLIT on the day. That was a very cool feeling to know I did that, even though my bike time was 2 minutes slower than last year (which was the 3rd fastest time), knowing the effects of the wind on the time - seeing I had the fastest split was a new achievement for me and a testiment to how hard I pushed it into the wind.



RUN:

I came into transition ready to run. There was one guy in particular that I hadn't raced before, Brian Stern. I knew I was a faster swimmer and cyclist, and that he was a phenominal runner. I figured I needed a 6 minute buffer against him to have a chance to hold him off in the run. I would later determine from the splits posted, that I had a 6 minute gap on Brian...

My first 2 miles were strong, but my stomach was really sloshing... there was still wind, and it was changing the conditions from reasonable but strong headwind pushing us, or a tailwind that didn't slow us down with force, but took away the feeling of cooling - it got really hot.


Coming to mile 3 I was pushing through the discomfort (I just wanted to puke it out and feel better, but I was concerned that I would then dehydrate as a result, and decided not to take that option). Still posting good splits, and holding the gap on the guy in front of me - wasn't getting away but I wasn't closing in either. I wanted to hold that gap until after the turn-around, when he would see me. I didn't want to pass before then.

At the turn-around, you can see where everyone is and how far ahead/behind they are, and how they look. I was happy with my position, and how I felt compared to how some of the others looked. This was going well, and I knew I was in 5th.

I saw Brian, and knew he was coming... I also threw up in my mouth a few times, and knew things weren't going well in my gut. I needed some extra calories / rush from a gel, but the thought was literally making me puke. Ugh... My nutrition plan / execution sucked today, and cost me 2 minutes in the run, and hurt my chances in the showdown with Brian.

Just about mile 5, I passed the transition area and a number of teammates and friends cheering me along. I still felt OK, but sick inside, and I just wanted to hold off Brian. I could hear people cheering for him now... he was close, and made the pass right at mile 5. I tried to go with him, but something in my brain went "snap". I knew he had me, and the suffering wouldn't undo the pass. I had a goal of PRing at this race, but the windy conditions on the bike killed that. I had no one close chasing me. I hate to admit it, but his pass broke me. With my super-upset stomach... and at the moment, nothing to chase or chase me... I walked for about 30 seconds to try to settle things, regroup, refocus and get going again.


I knew some of my friends and teammates saw me stop and walk. I was embarrassed, but there was nothing left at the moment. The engine room was overheating, my gut was over-sloshed and my targets escaped me.

After the mental reset, I got pissed at myself, and started again. Pushing faster and faster for the last 1.2 miles. There was no one chasing me - but now it was to reclaim a little pride for my stoppage. My last full mile was a 6:12... I was pretty happy with that, despite the other problems. Little goals, little achievements sometimes...


When the final results were posted, I was proud to see that my hard-fought day earned my 6th overall - my highest overall placement in the field, and a new personal record (PR) of 2:09:57 at the Olympic Distance. I was quite proud of this.

The suffering was real, and some of the most intense I have experienced in Olympic distance racing - but that has been the goal this season - race as hard as I can from the start - find out what I am truly capable of - no questions about having something left in the tank at the finish. Mission accomplished - I was SHREDDED at mile 5, and struggled in. But it gave my best result yet - so it was another well learned lesson.

Had I not given myself the total gut-bomb of overcompensation for the Deer Creek dehydration, i'm sure I would have been one place higher, and given Brian a better run for his money at the end... but his jets would probably have held me off anyway. He's a total stud!



COMRADERIE: Friends, team mates and new faces:

Great to see my SnakeBite Racing team out in force - 15+ people there to race and/or cheer (injured taking pictures, etc). We had a great showing there, and a lot of fun, and good exposure for our sponsors.


My friend Darryl Miller from High School (Lakota '90) did his second sprint triathlon ever - and his 18 year old daughter Gabby did her first one. I'm so happy and excited for them - they are totally hooked on the multisport lifestyle!

My college buddy Steve Kauffman was there as well! Did his second sprint triathlon ever and had a fun day, depsite some knee trouble.

Others from the triathlon community were there as well - Maumee Bay is a fun triathlon becaue of all of the local people there!

The Monday right after the race, I departed for a 2 week trip to India and Germany. It was a great trip that I will write about later... and a good chance to rest and recover after Sunday's hard effort.

ANOTHER GREAT WEEKEND RACE!