Saturday, November 2, 2013

Rev3 South Carolina /USAT Long Course National Championships


Anderson, South Carolina
United States
REVOLUTION3 Triathlon
83F / 28C
Overcast

Total Time = 5h 39m 33s
Overall Rank = 178/387
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 25/46
Pre-race routine:


This was my first USAT National Championship race and I did have a legitimate qualifying time even though I didn't need to qualify this year (same at Sprint Nationals) Things were looking good until Oct 2nd when I strained my right calf pretty good. A half week of ICE, heat, and COMPEX really didn't help much for Half Full Olympic which I hobbled through. The week leading up to USATs, I decided to try a little spin to see if I should go Aquabike. Felt it the entire ride but it loosened up and felt a lot better afterward. Did that for a week with more COMPEX each day and my calf felt good enough to decide to stick with the Half. Drove down to Anderson in a driving rain storm which turned it into a 12 hour drive. Saturday I checked in about noon drove my bike to Darwin Wright Park and dropped it off in Transition. Talked to a nice local lady with Team in Training then headed back to the Expo. I manned the NormaTec tent and got the entire Auburn Triathlon Team in the boots at one point, watched the Kona webcast coverage on the big screen and watch Michael Lavato doing Sean's job. Had a team/crew dinner and then a team picture and then waited for the Glow run and helped/ cheering everyone in.























Event warmup:

Woke up at 5:00am on race morning. Packed everything the night before so just brushed my teeth and had a bottle of Perform and a Performance Gel and a Harvest Bar. On the road by 5:20 and got a good parking spot at the convention center. Set up T2 and then headed to the bus to head down to T1. Had Heidi, Chloe, and Kristin right in front of me on the ride and found out about Maggie's troubles at Kona. Got to T1 walked in the dark to the transition area. Pumped up my tires first thing then set up T1 and sat down and caught a nap. Got up got my wetsuit out trislided my self and hit the potta potties. Had another Performance gel as I got my wetsuit on and got a short swim warmup in. Water was very nice. Did the invocation and National Anthem and head over to the starting area. Was in the second wave. so 5 minutes between waves. Soon the first wave was off and we herded in for wave #2.

Swim

Time: 37m 37s
Distance: 2112 yards
Pace: 01m 47s / 100 yards
Age Group: 17/46
Overall: 149/387
Performance: Average
Suit: Hurricane Cat 5 Full

Course: Couterclock wise loop from one side of the pennisula to the other. 5 turn bouys to negotiate. Unlike the last two years the lake was full of water The start was way back and the dock was actually in the water and the sandbar/island on the back side was covered. .
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 76F / 24C
Current: Low
200M Perf. Below average
Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average
Drafting: Below average
Navigation: Good
Rounding: Average

Comments:

This was a National Championship race and there were a lot of serious Type A folks in the start corrall who had to get way up front. I started in the back to the outside and planned to stay outside until the mess calmed down. Well the media boat ended up on the path where I wanted to go. So we took off and I was forced to swim into the major traffic pattern. First 200 yards were very crowded and I got wacked about 6-7 times including a nice goggles swipe which would have been really bad it I didn't tuck it under my cap. Had to dump the water out though. After the first 200 yards I was able to maneuver to the outside and find some open water. FInally got in a rhythm and got swimming. Other than having to dodge the folks from the wave ahead and keep from running over them from that point on it was an easy swim, Had a guy from the wave behind catch me rounding the peninsula tip and those speed demons kept coming for the rest of the swim. Like last week I limited my kicking. Good swim overall but never really got after it.

What would you do differently?:

Better starting position and a HTFU attitude would have helped. In a field like that I needed to be more aggressive. Felt good though.

Transition 1

Time: 04m 11s
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Average
Helmet on/ Suit off: No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes
Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Below average
Comments:

Short run up to transition. Fought with my wetsuit a bit and then really took my time getting my glasses and sunscreen on and shoes, Then fought to get the big Performance Blend pouches into my uniform pockets. Kristin got a picture but it took a while. Trotted to the start and went well ahead of the line to mount. Didn't notice I was now in the small ring.

What would you do differently?:

Use small gel packs with the small pocks, large ones work fine for bike jerseys and similar type pockets. Lost a bunch of spots 17th to 21st AG and 149th to 174th. Pretty bad.

Bike

Time: 2h 51m 14s
Distance: 56 miles
Pace: 19.62 mile/hr
Age Group: 23/46
Overall: 152/387
Performance: Average

Splits: First 5 miles 18:18 (16.40 mph)
Mile 5 to mile 32.2 (27.20miles) 1:23:27 (19.56 mph)
Mile 32.2 to mile 56 (23.80 miles) 1:09:29 (20.55 mph)

Wind: Some

Course: Winding rolling course through the country side. First 30 miles was into a headwind. Rolling hills through out but none that I would classify as very difficult. Number of technical decents including Millers bend, a quick downhill with a sharp left turn onto a bridge over a creek with a nice drop off on either side right into another climb. After mile 30 you headed back towards Anderson, twisting thru Penbrook? with a ton of turns in order to avoid the railroad tracks which was appreciated. Then back to town over some of the larger hills, past the start area into Anderson itself and highway 81 bypass and then back to the civic center. Joined back up with the Olympic course (which started later) for the last 7 or so miles.
Road: Rough Dry
Turns: Average
Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good
Hills: Good
Race pace: Hard
Drinks: Not enough

Comments:

Started out and we started the first few rollers and I wasn't catching any one and getting passed except on the uphills. About 7 miles in I figured out why. I was still in the small ring which I shifted to in T1 per Sean's advice to make sure it would shift and fix it before the race if needed. Well I left it there and until I started bouncing on a downhill I didn't figure it out. Once that was taken care of I was steadily making progress the rest of the ride. This isn't a ride with any monsterious hills but it is constant rolling for 56 miles which is a bit of a challenge. Did a few back and forths with a Tenn Valley Tri guy and a girl with a purple/pink disk wheel. I took the technical downhill very easy and since almost overcooked it at the bottom. I rode really well for the first 90 mins. I hit a few lulls but then my two buddies I was going back and forth with would pass me back and snap me out of it. I really got going on the way back into town and dropped the guy and ended up with a MPH negative split. Really glad to hit the merge up with the Olympic as that was the 7 miles to go marker. Catching some Olympic folks was good for the psyche as while I was going forward it wasn't that much. Rode really well up highway 11 and the last hills and followed my buddy on the pink disc in and found out she was Aquabiking it today.

What would you do differently?:

I was able to stand and started doing that the second half of the race. Should have check the front gears sooner as I lost a lot of spots but I got most of those back and it helped in the long run I suppose allowing negative splits. Couldn't get my Energy Blends out of my pockets without nearly wrecking so I went without. Did drink every 10 miles. 21st to 23 AG and 174th to 152nd OA.

Transition 2

Time: 02m 4s
Overall: Average
Jumping off bike: No
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Below average
Shoe and helmet removal Average

Comments:

Got in and had a long jog down to my rack. Got there to find the guy on the other side had his bike in my rack. Contemplated what to do but remembered the guy to my left was a no show. Quick change after that other than sunscreening.

What would you do differently?:

Was an OK transition after figuring out the racking issue which was beyond my control. Should have beat the other guy to T2. Maintained 23rd in my AG and dropped from 152nd to 154th OA.

Run



















Time: 2h 04m 28s
Distance: 13.1 miles
Pace: 09m 30s min/mile
Age Group: 25/46
Overall: 178/387
Performance: Average

Splits: First 3.63 miles 31:19 (8:36/mile)
Next 6.69 miles 1:02:58 (9:25/Mile)
Next 0.54 miles 4:36 (8:41/mile)
Last 2.25 miles 25:35 (11:25/mile) Don't think the distances for the 2nd and 4th were right, distance from the post turn around timing mat to the finish was closer to 2.5 at least. I was slow but not that slow.

Course: Two loop course different from both the last two years since there was a carnival in a section of last years run course. Looped through the conventions center and sports complex to Civic Center Drive up to Martin Luther King Dr past the Convention Center entrance up a hill to a residential street to a divided highway for and up and back segment. Olympic turns first then the half. Then back to the Convention Center entrance. Up and down to the corner and down to the finish chute or start of second lap.

Keeping cool Average
Drinking Just right

Comments:

This was the big question mark and as I got going I was glad to find my legs felt OK or at least as good as they should after 56 miles of rolling hills. I let my legs come in for the first mile and was running farly well. The little rolling hills were actually pretty challenging. Did start getting hotter. The first loop I hung in well and saw Josh coming back. Made the end of the first turn around and felt decent. Not a lot of pop in my legs but for not running most of the last few weeks it was good. The little hill after the entrance to the convention center was tough and then down to start lap #2 as a few folks were finishing up was a bit demoralizing. Legs started to tighten up a bit the second loop and I was more in iron distance mode than race mode for the second loop. Did go back and forth with a few folks mainly do to running the water stations. I didn't have a Energy Blend on the bike and I don't do gels on the run so I finally bonked the last segment. However I did manage to pass someone in my AG am sneak into the top 25. Down to the finish chute and got called in my Sean.

What would you do differently?:

Not pull my calf 9 days before. Wasn't really able to race but at least I was able to run this week. Needed to do better nutrition wise on the bike since my tank hit Empty pretty hard. Only had coke at one aid station maybe should have got to that more often. 23rd to 25th in my AG and 154th to 178th on the run.




















Post race

Warm down:

Got my water and medal and ice water soak towel. Got some food and shuffled down to the team tent. Ate then returned my chip and went to T2 to pack my stuff. They brought the T1 and dry clothes bags right to our racks which was awesome. Packed up the car. Walked back and gave back my chip and then visited the Norma Tec tent. They were having some issues with two set of boots. One wasn't reset/turned off so I fixed and used it for 20 min. Other one had a flat segment so it won't get out of the inflation stage. Did the NormaTec tent the res of the afternoon and then broke everything down as we cheered in the last few finishers and then got to be part of the final finisher ceremony.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Wasn't in the best racing mindset and then poor nutrition on the bike caught up to me at the end of the run.

Event comments:

By finishing 25th I was eligible for a roll down spot to the AG Worlds in China next year. Great race with the Collegate Championships and the USAT Nationals and Anderson is a great community. Clemson had a home game this weekend so the whole town was hyped and made for a cool atmosphere. Throw in the Lil Rev Adventure race and Glow run and it was a cool weekend. Plus the worst wetsuit contest!


Half Full Triathlon 2013- Team Fight


Ellicott City, Maryland
United States
REVOLUTION3 Triathlon
78F / 26C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 44m 57s
Overall Rank = 68/368
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 14/33

Pre-race routine:

Revolution3 and the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Welcomes You to Howard County, Maryland!

Welcome triathletes, volunteers, spectators and families to the Rev3 Half Full Triathlon! We are in our third year with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and the Half Full Triathlon and this is the first year that the Half Full is part of the Rev3 Series. We are more than excited to be working with the Ulman Cancer Fund and Half Full. You will see that the Half is not quite a 70.3 but is instead a 70.0 this is to represent the 70,000 young adults affected by cancer every year. 70,000 is the estimated number of young adults diagnosed with cancer each year. This is a statistic that needs people’s attention. The Half Full Triathlon will help make the young adult cancer issue a priority and together we can improve the 70,000 statistic. With every mile you race you’re helping support this population of young people battling cancer.

Thank you for choosing Half Full Triathlon.
This was supposed to be my first big race after IM Lake Placid back in July. I recovered well and was feeling really, really good going in to the week before the race. Then came the government shutdown and the stress associated with that and then the Wednesday before the race I am doing an easy mid day run and bang my calf clamps up hard. Had to walk and was barely able to hobble home. I had strained my calf before IM LP by stepping in a sewer grate and guess what came back with a vengeance. Had new shoes was tapering but I still pulled it on an easy run. Iced and COMPEXed it for the next few days and headed down Saturday afternoon. Hoped I could recover like I did for IMLP but I had 3 fewer days. Well this race was supposed to be about the Ulman Cancer Fund, beating cancer and fighting so I decided I would swim and bike and just take whatever the run dealt me.


Event warmup:

Got up at 5:00 am. Had a Powerbar Performance Energy Blend, and a Harvest Energy Bar for breakfast and headed to the race site. Could still feel a big knot in my leg so the enthusian was gone, Set up my transition area, got my wetsuit half on hit the potta potties and headed down early to the start. Observed the pre race speeches and ceremonies and shuffled to the sign for 40-44. The 6 waves of college kids, then the survivor's wave, and Team Fight wave, then we were up.

Swim

Time: 26m 16s
Distance: 1630 yards
Pace: 01m 37s / 100 yards

Comments:

Settled in to the back of the line since is was a time trial start, position didn't really matter. Was in the twosome in front of the CAF athlete with one leg and a great attitude which did rub off. I was going to do whatever my leg would allow. Got a big hug from our cancer survivor starters and off we went. Got a good clean start and got into a quick rhythm. Swim was a lot like Lake Placid, I just barely kicked but pulled my way forward to the next group and the next. Really felt good and felt like I was passing people the whole time. Got a bit far to the inside on the last leg (too far to middle) and had to be herded back left to the boat dock and ended on the non carpeted side.

What would you do differently?:

Really good swim for me. The last I try to kick the better my swims seem to be. Was 3:21 faster( 29:37 vs 26:16) than last year (Both races swim the same distance.) Other than swimming too far inside and adding distance on the last leg, I would change too much.

Transition 1

Time: 04m 12s

Comments:

Long run uphill to transition on concrete then grass. Could felt the knot in my calf didn't loosen up after the swim, so I ran slow. Took my time with my wetsuit and got a nice methodical transition. Then slowly walked/trotted my bike to the mount line.

What would you do differently?:

Not pull my calf 3.5 days before a race. Lost a bunch of spots 10th to 15th in my AG and 59th to 76th OA

Bike

Time: 1h 17m 6s
Distance: 25 miles
Pace: 19.46 mile/hr

Comments:
It was actually foggy for most of the bike which was good. Got clipped in and got going and had a 69 year old pass me right of the bat, but this was the same guy from Williamsburg and can really bike. I could feel my calf on the hills but if I stayed aero I could avoid putting too much pressure on it. Standing was out. Found a good tempo and steadily grinded out a good pace. Even though I couldn't stand or sit up I still was riding the hills pretty well, I was making go progress and it always felt good to pass the college kids who started a few waves in front of us.

What would you do differently?:

Was feeling out what my body could safely do for a good chunk of the early miles so even in my condition I could have hammered it a bit more but it was still a good ride considering. Went from 15th to 12th in my AG and 76th to 56th OA.

Transition 2

Time: 01m 33s

Comments:
It is always a good sign when the bike rack your age group is in is basically empty. But I turned in too early and when I got to my rack the idiot on the other side put his wetsuit on the rack where my tire goes. SO had to move that and balance my bike before racking. Other than than I put on sunscreen and got shoes changed and went.

What would you do differently?:

Can't do much about my rack mate and going down the wrong row was a brain fart and I had a good landmark (row E). Good transition.
12th to 13th AG and 56th to 57th OA

Run

Time: 55m 51s
Distance: 6.5 miles
Pace: 08m 35s min/mile
Comments:

Well right from the start this was clear it was going to be a struggle. The knot was getting bigger. Couldn't push off my right leg much at all so speed was out. I found a way to shuffle and minimize the strain on my leg and reminded myself this was about finishing and struggling and fighting to get to the finish just like those folks with the yellow bids. Got right to the point of clamping up on the hill out of the park but it held off and I shuffled on. Worked up and through the neighborhoods where I was having my best run ever last year. I passed a couple of people on the way out but every time I tried to pick up the tempo, my calf twinged and reminded me of the speed limit. The jog through the upper park went well and soon it was back towards Centenial. The two big hill on the way back in were rough but I kept shuffling and passed a few college kids and even someone in my A/G and another team fight person. Got back into the park and my calf really started to act up. but I was just a half mile to go so I modified my shuffle and slowly got around the lake and up to the finish chute. Wasn't pretty but I got it done.

What would you do differently?:

This race was about a lot more than times or winning and losing, it was about overcoming obsticles and fighting the good fight. Finshing this race is was very meaningful as I was racing in Honor of my Dad a cancer survivor for 5 years now and for Debby W. who lost her fight Sept 30th 2013. I really wanted to honor them with a great race and maybe a podium but I would be dammed if I was going to DNF, if nothing else I would honor them by seeing this race to its end. So that it what I did! 13th to 14th AG and 57th to 68th OA, so at least I limited the damage.
Post race

Warm down:

Got a picture and got some post race food and plopped on the ground near the Team Fight tent. After eating I checked out my results and saw I fished 14th in my AG and didn't even help my Rev3 AG series standings (have two 13th place finished at Knoxville and Quazzy). Packed up and loaded the car and headed home. Saw Susan on the bike making the turn towards the park.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Pulled/strained calf just sunk a great swim and a decent bike. Should have been able to go about 10-15 min faster if I was right. But it wasn't meant to be. COMPEX did a great job to get me to the starting line and finish line.
Event comments:

Great race and a great cause and for once a great weather day.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Ironman Lake Placid Race Report- Rocking the R!


Lake Placid, New York
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
73F / 23C
Precipitation
Total Time = 13h 35m 30s
Overall Rank = 1355/2536
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 248/397


Pre-race routine:

Iron distance racing is a journey with a quite important destination. This was the 7th time I've taken on this journey. Each time the challenge is unique and often time unexpected. I had done an Iron Distance race once a year from 2006 until 2011. After that race, I decided I needed a break, so 2012 I decided to focus on Olympic distance races and I found my skill set, although I may not want to admit it, are more suited to shorter faster racing. 2012 was somewhat of a break through year for me as I PR at the Olympic distance (several times), PRed at the Half Iron Distance, scored my first top 10 finish in my AG and followed it up with 3 more at decent sized races (6th Rev 3 Wisconsin, 5th Rev 3 Maine, 7th Half Full 70, and 6th Rev 3 South Carolina). But in July, I found myself watching one of the Iron Distance races I still wanted to do, Lake Placid following Jacqui Gordon and several other of my REV3 and BT teammates and I knew if this race had spots available at 12:01 EST the next day, I was signing up. They did and I did. As 2012 came to an end, I spent a lot of time on the bike and was running great, so I focused in the off season on working on my swim leg. 2013 was an interesting year in January I felt something wrong with my right foot and then got to spent the next 2 month not running due to a tendon issue. While I couldn't run, I did take advantage of the opportunity to swim and quadrupled my yardage. My foot finally healed by May for a nervous Olympic at Rev 3 Knoxville in the rain, then did the Rev3 Quassy triple with a great 5K, dehydrated on the Olympic (but top 20% in my AG on a bad day :), and struggled through the run on the half the last day). My last race prior to Lake Placid Rev 3 Williamsburg, I ripped off a monster bike leg and decent run, but then discovered a broken toe on my right foot. More time off.

Came back and was feeling good through the summer heat and humidity, but Monday before Lake Placid I did a short run and got my foot caught in a sewer drain and yanked it pretty good. later that day my calf (right calf off course) started hurting. Foolishly the next day I went for a short run to test it out and it cramped hard on me. Minor strain/pull but the week before and Iron Distance just crushed me. I took the rest of the week off and used my COMPEX, and iced and hoped. Drove up to lake Placid on Friday, and was just blow away how cool the area is. Checked in and then had to walk back to my car to put away my backpack (no Backpacks allowed at the welcome banquet thanks to those AHs in Boston- Understandable). The banquet was incredible for me.

I remember 1980 like it was yesterday. Several of the guys on that team were locals from the Boston area where I lived, and there I was literally on the Ice. Chills! That was worth the price of admission! I was staying out in Plattsburg, NY about 80 min away but fortunately my drive into LP and out to Plattsburg covered most of the bike course (wrong direction). Next day came in to drop my run and bike bags and drop off my bike and then drove the bike and run courses. I was amazed how many people were out there biking the hard parts of the course the day before. Hit the grocery store got some Amy's of Hanover for dinner and hit the sack at 7:30. Alarm went off at 2:50am, long drive in to John Browns farm, for the shuttle and took it in. Dropped off my run and bike special needs then headed to the oval and put my bottle on my bike and got my tires pumped, put on my wet suit to waist hit the potta potties then headed down to the swim start.

Event warmup:

Hung out on the slide at the park as my lower back was starting to bother me. Really not a good sign. Have not even got on the bike and my back hurts. I stretched and then just laid back and hoped. They opened out the water for "Practice at 6:10" so put on my arms of my wetsuit and weaved my way down to the water. Way to crowded to really swim but was able to get wet, then headed to the start corrals. My calf was feeling better but didn't want to push it so I seeded myself in the 1:20-1:30 corral. The gun went off for the pro men and then the pro women. Then it was time!

Swim
01:14:12 | 4224 yards | 01m 46s / 100yards
Age Group: 164/397
Overall: 893/2536
Performance: Good
First loop 1.2 mi - 35:41 Second loop 1.2 mi 38:31
Suit: Hurricane Cat 5 Full

Course: Two clockwise loops in Mirror lake. Follow the rowing course up and back with about 25 yards at the top. Short run out of water and under the two arches to the second loop. New start format. Rolling start self seed in corrals by predicted swim times then groups of 40-50 sent off over the scoring line every 30-60 seconds. Took over 14 min for me to get in the water but as a MOP swimmer I actually liked it.

Start type: Run Plus: Time Trial
Water temp: 72F / 22C
Current: Low
200M Perf. Average
Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good
Drafting: Below average
Navigation: Good
Rounding: Average

Comments:

Lap 1:
The cannon went of for the AGs and similar to a few major marathons and road races I've done, nothing happened. We slowly started walking forward after a few minutes. As we got closer to the arch we passed the swim out arch and the clock almost 16 min for the pros, Andy Potts would be here real soon. As we got close you saw how they were doing let a group out wait 30 seconds to a min then next group. finally got to my turn and crossed the line and I was totally relaxed. Waded in slowly and then got going. Felt great and after some usual congestion, I found some open water and started getting into a nice rhythm. Was very conscious to minimize my kick as I didn't want to test my calf before I had to. Starting back with the 1:20s I got to swim through my group, leave them behind and then swim to the next, through them and up to the next. Felt pretty good. Soon was near the top of the first loop and crossed over and to the inside lane to the second turn. Navigation was great I was right on the buoy each time 9 up and nine back. Got very busy after the 8th buoy coming in and especially as we angled in to the 9th and to the finish arch. Beat up someone trying to swim through me (turn out to be a pro) but didn't feel too bad. If your that fast, the overtaken vessel is to maintain course and speed and has the right of way. (Rules of the Road baby). Got done with the first loop and had two other prop zip by as I headed back around for lap number 2.
Lap 2:
For some reason I seemed to have a real tough time finding clear water on the second loop and as a result it was a lot less smooth as I had to navigate around traffic a lot more. Got into it a few times but soon was boxed in and had to wait patiently for an opening and surge through it when it arrived. The turn on the second loop was the most congressed spot for me on the course and was stuck in a large clump of folks around the top and coming off the second turn buoy. Was stuck in that clump for about 200 yards which hurt me and kept me out of rhythm. Finally got clear and got going as I saw the boat house and then paced off a few pink caps and stayed outside main traffic lane. Finally after a lop and a half I spotted the under water line marking the course (rowing course lane lines) Rest of the swim was uneventful and the trip to the end was pretty spread out.

What would you do differently?:

Second fastest swim of 7 Iron distance swims for me. Hardly kicked at all and navigation was awesome. Didn't really want to start on the inside but with the rolling start it wasn't much of a problem. Other than finding myself in a few clumps of swimmer at times, I couldn't me more happy with the swim. Actually enjoyed the start format, worked well for those of us in the MOP.

Transition 1
Time: 11:53
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Average
Run with bike: No
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Average

Comments:
Actually forgot these races have wetsuit swimmers and ran past most of them before stopping. Got out of the wetsuit arms then plopped down and she pulled off the wetsuit. Lost my White Eagle Martial Arts braclet right there. :( Long jog to transition at the Speed skating oval and got to do it in my shimmer suit and got a few funny comments along the way. Got to transition had to get my own bag, then to the changing tent. Full change and then lost one of my arm warmers (went into my bag with my wetsuit, so had to dump out the bag again. Then shoes on and sunscreen and off I went. Volunteer grabbed 2133's bike not mine 2123, nice bike but had to have him put it back and I grabbed mine, slow trip to the exit and then on to the bike, Took a few tries to clip in first foot and left other until after the hairpin turn going out. Just started raining.

What would you do differently?:

Not the smoothest transition but with the long run and full changes and all it wasn't that bad.

Bike
06:39:19 | 112 miles | 16.81 mile/hr
Age Group: 230/397
Overall: 1190/2536
Performance: Average
0 to 30 mi (30 mi) 1:24:59 21.18 mi/h
30 to 56 mi (26 mi) 1:42:56 15.16 mi/h
56 to 86 mi (30 mi) 1:31:58 19.57 mi/h
86 to 112 mi (26 mi) 1:59:26 13.06 mi/h

Wind: Some with gusts

Course: Awesome Bike course. Two loops. Start short down hill through town then a series of climbs (500 ft) out of town past the ski jumps and bobsled center for first 10 miles then the monster downhill segment to Keene. Left turn to 9N and to the flat section (except for two gradual hills. Past 86 to the out and back at Upper Jay, turn around and back to Rt 86. Big hill right away once go around that corner then a series of rollers, to a short flat out and back with a very tight turn around then turn on Rt 86 to follow the High Peaks Gorge and the mainly uphill section back to Lake Placid. last five hills are named Little and big Cherries (By Cheriton pond) and the Three Bears. None of these are that tough but where they are makes them more of a challenge. Then up Riverside road down to Mirror lake drive past the swim area, to special need, then out and down Main street, and left around the Herb Brooks arena to Transition entrance or lap 2. Scenic and hilly.

Road: Rough Wet
Turns: Below average
Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Average
Hills: Average
Race pace: Hard
Drinks: Just right

Comments:
Lap 1:
Started out easy going around the first corner and the tight corner at the bottom so rode the breaks, then got to start riding as we did the first set of rollers, the hill right after the River Road intersection, is one of those features most people don't talk about but it is a tough little hill up and around a corner and you have to consciously hold back, rode to the first aid station which was superhero themed and got love from Captain America. Rode smooth and steady for the first 10 miles and those hills, but then it was nail biting time, except I couldn't take my hands off the handlebars. The hill down to Keene is scary enough with dry roads. The roads are very choppy and cut up especially near the median so everyone has to ride toward the second lane, fortunately they have an extra lane coned of on the other side of the yellow line for those who were really moving. But thrown in wet roads, and OMG that was scary. Only thing is my biggest wreck was due to slamming on the breaks. So I was out of aero hands locked on the bars and simply flying down that hill. Going across that wet yellow line on turns doing 45-50 mph was scary but you had no choice. Wasn't hitting the breaks, stay still as possible and don't forget to breath. You hit a flat section in the middle and I hammered in my highest gear till we hill the next cliff. As we hit the bottom our extra lane disappeared and had to hit the breaks a few times to stay off a slower rider. Finally we hit bottom and on to the flats on 9N. Boom had a gel and drink and then got into a rhythm as we passed 20 miles. Got into a good rhythm on the flats and felt really good and under control to the turn around and then back into the wind. Then you turn on to Rt 86 and boom the hills introduce themselves. The Rt 86 hill is without a doubt the hardest on the course, dropped into my granny gear as I rounded the turn and it starts steep and then just keeps going and going flatten out and adds another tier, I rode this section well and was still feeling good through the roller to Wilmington. Turn to short out and back. Got a second gel in and then got to the turn around and it was too tight I go of rode and fell over. Was stuck and then got up and was consoled by another rider who just did the same thing. Got going and then back on to Rt 86 then turned to follow the gorge. At this point, I hit my first low of the day. I banged up my left knee on my fall and once the adrenaline wore off I was starting to pay for the HR spike. The road in this section is awesomely smooth and the view is amazing but I came down pretty quick and was really starting to struggle mentally and physically. Got to the last aid station where Byron and Jen from the YMCA were volunteering. Got a water bottle from Jen but she didn't recognize me. It was funny I rode well up the hills then fell crappy on the downhills and flats to the next hill. Was waiting and stressing about where are the cherries and three bears already, but was on big Cherry when I finally realized where I was (saw the sign). The tree bears were slow but ok and papa bear it a bit steep but I was granny gearing everything and actually passed a bunch of folks. Made a conscious decision to stay in the saddle all day to not test my strained calf. Got up it and headed back down to Mirror Lake and in to special needs. Got some Rev 3 cheers which perked me up some. Changed out the bottle and loaded up more gels and drank my Red Bull. Then down Main Street where you feel like a rock star and then up and around to that start of loop 2.

Loop 2:
Again took it easy on the down hill and rode the brake and took the tight turn easy and slow. Slowly got back into a more positive feeling as the Red Bull kicked in. The hill coming out of town I went granny gear but I was moving forward once again. Felt good through the roller for the first 10 miles and the second trip down to Keen was a bit less nerve wrecking as the bikes were a lot more spread out and the pavement had dried out. But it was still one fast ride. Free effort saving speed, gotta love it. Hit the turn onto 9N and got a gel and got into a good rhythm again and rode well to the turn. My back actually held up very well and was able to stay in the bars quite a bit. Hit the turn around and into the wind and then started into my second low point on the bike. Started to fade on the way back in and then at the turn to RT86 I was mentally toasted. Rode the first hill well but the second tier and flat I was dead and stayed in the granny gear and slowly grinded through that hill and the rollers to Wilmington. Finally, I figured out, hey dumbass you are bonking, eat something and had a gel. Was drinking water at each aid station, but went about 15 miles beyond my nutrition strategy. Ate the gel in stages up the second roller and glided down the hill to the out and back. Actually navigated the turn around this time and started to perk up as we turned back to rt86 and turned to the hills heading for home. Rode well on this section, shift early and rode well on the flats, mile 100 was a great site and I continued to grind through this section and stayed within myself. Felt better as we hit the cherries and the three bears. Crowd was great on papa bear as one group wanted us to do wheelies but that wasn't happening for me. Spun up papa bear and turned for home. Again the trip down Mirror Lake drive and past the tri clubs was cool plus seeing the really fast people including Jacqui Gordon on the run. Down Main Street and up to transition and finally got off that darn bike!

What would you do differently?:

Not fall down and probably ride more long rides. But I stayed seated the whole time which isn't my normal style but didn't want to test/stress my calf, so was good I stayed with the plan. Need to stick with the nutrition plan better, but at least I recovered. Overall considering my longest ride over the last 2 years was 56 miles, not a bad ride.

Transition 2
Time: 11:02
Overall: Below average

Comments:

Slow walk off bike and handed bike to a volunteer which was great, then had a volunteer ask me if I wanted him to take off my cycle shoe. That was a first and was great. Nice walk to the gear bags and then to the changing tent. Took my time and did a full change from my bike clothes to my Rev3 kit and changed socks. Then headed to the potta potties as I was feeling a bit bloated. Had to wait in line for the 3 porta potties in front of T2 (the 12 in back are unused. Then get inside and nearly puked. It was full the urinal clogged and backed up and no TP. Decided I could only pee which helped . Got out and felt really bad.

What would you do differently?:

Wait until mile 1 to use the porta potty.

Run
Running
05:19:04 | 26.2 miles | 12m 11s min/mile
Age Group: 248/397
Overall: 1355/2536
Performance: Below average
0 - 3 mi (3 mi) 32:45 10:55/mi 3 - 8.2 mi (5.2 mi) 54:55 10:33/mi 8.2 - 12 mi (3.8 mi) 44:12 11:37/mi 12 - 16.1 mi (4.1 mi) 45:48 11:10/mi 16.1 - 21.3 mi (5.2 mi ) 1:20:19 15:26/mi 21.3 - 25.1 mi (3.8 mi) 48:52 12:51/mi 25.1 - 26.2 mi (1.1 mi) 12:13 11:06/mi
Course: Two loops. Out of transition then down main street to Rt 73. Through town and past the equestrian center and Jumping center. Down the hill to River road. Then down the long out and back along a nice little river (small rolling hills). Coming back you see the ski jumps then back up the hills to Main Street to Mirror Lake drive then past the tri clubs and to special needs turn where the bike turned onto Mirror Lake drive and then back to main street and around for lap #2.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Too much

Running
05:19:04 | 26.2 miles | 12m 11s min/mile
Age Group: 248/397
Overall: 1355/2536
Performance: Below average
0 - 3 mi (3 mi) 32:45 10:55/mi
3 - 8.2 mi (5.2 mi) 54:55 10:33/mi
8.2 - 12 mi (3.8 mi) 44:12 11:37/mi
12 - 16.1 mi (4.1 mi) 45:48 11:10/mi
16.1 - 21.3 mi (5.2 mi ) 1:20:19 15:26/mi
21.3 - 25.1 mi (3.8 mi) 48:52 12:51/mi
25.1 - 26.2 mi (1.1 mi) 12:13 11:06/mi

Course: Two loops. Out of transition then down main street to Rt 73. Through town and past the equestrian center and Jumping center. Down the hill to River road. Then down the long out and back along a nice little river (small rolling hills). Coming back you see the ski jumps then back up the hills to Main Street to Mirror Lake drive then past the tri clubs and to special needs turn where the bike turned onto Mirror Lake drive and then back to main street and around for lap #2.

Keeping cool Good
Drinking Too much

Comments:

Lap 1:
Out transition and down main street was awesome as everyone is reading your name on your bib and cheering you by name. Then getting to the down hill got rolling to the first aid station. Walked the aid station taking water or Perform and fruit and later cola. each stop. Got going again and started to feel my calf tightening up but not cramping so I kept shuffling along. Had my super star AG teammate Alyssa Godesky pass me on her second lap going down the hill to River Road and she gave me some encouragement and that really seemed to help as I got into an nice smooth rhythm and my calf loosened up and wasn't a problem the rest of the run. Ran pretty well the first loop and ran the hill off the River Road turn but walked the big hill up to Main street (just as everyone else was. Got going once on main street and again felt like a rockstar. Came around to Mirror Lake Dr and heard "Go Andrew, Hey that's Andy, Go Andy!" It was Byron and Jen. Hit the special needs and grabbed my Red Bull and drank and waved to my teammate Laura on the other side. Then came back down the road and high fived Byron and Jen and felt like a million bucks.

Loop 2:
Actually felt like I was running at the start going down Main and onto Rt 73. Going good but my bloated feeling was back. Each porta potty was occupied for the next two miles. Really started to hurt, think the Red Bull which worked like magic on the bike was a bad idea on the run. So I stopped and walked just before the top of the River Road downhill. Got going again but after the next aid station I was really not feeling good and getting hard stomach cramps so did a few short walk break and got going. Finally got a porta potty at mile 16. Lock was broken and got an unwanted opening, but I couldn't go either 1 or 2. Bloated and felt like I really needed to but couldn't do it. So got out and tried to run but had to walk. Stopped with the Perform and so much water and started on chicken broth at mile 18. walked most of mile 16 and then convinced myself to run the flat and walk the hills. Seriously started to get the toots which actually was a good thing but was sort of embarrassing. After the turn around , I really tried to run more and finally got enough gas out that I could go, but still walked the hill but was going a lot better. On the second out and back we got another good rain storm and they handed out glow sticks, but as we got closer to the ski jumps the rain eased up. Walked the River Road hill but was running well after than and got some positive comments. Passed a guy (for the second time) in a 2011 Valley Forge Revolutionary Run shirt and told him I did that race. Ran to the big hill to Main street walked hard up it and then got going up Main street bolster by the crowd. Last time down Mirror Lake drive and witnessed a pep talk with at one of the club tent with a lady on her first loop as I had made the turn around. Turns out she was the 65-69 AG winner and I would be talking to her husband the next day at the awards banquet. She made it and qualified for KONA! For me the only prize was about a mile away but I was starting to feel the excitement. Passed 4 crossfit folks who were on empty, and got to the tri teams and got cheers from Kelly Covert and her group and the to the chute marked to the finish (what a beautiful site!) Turned up Main St to the Speed Skating Oval and over the evil curve and into the oval and the that awesome lap around the oval. I was out on the edge high fiving every kid who wanted one and seemed so excited that one of the athletes was giving them some time. Coming round the turn and seeing that finish line just evoke such powerful emotions. It was here Eric Heiden gave the most dominant athletic performance winning every event in the Olympic speed skating program, and it was here I overcame injuries, falls, stomach issue and major lows to feel this incredible high. My hands went up high and I just went to a double hang loose and then to some Rev 3 Goggles as Mike Riley called my name again. Don't know if he actually called me an Ironman this time, for some reason he never has in 4 opportunities, but it didn't matter. I completed this journey again. From 230 pounds and a heart attack waiting to happen to a 7 time Ironman! DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRICLES? YEEESSSSS!

What would you do differently?:

Don't try something new on race day (Red Bull), don't step into a sewer grate a week prior, run a lot more, Longest run this year was 13.1 thanks to all the injuries and the crappy weather this year. But the struggles make this finish so much more rewarding. Could I have gone faster and PRed, I was on pace but I am still very happy with this race.

Post race

Got my medal and picture and got some food and chocolate milk. Got my bags got changed as my legs started to tighten up. Couldn't find the message tent, so got and checked out my bike and rolled to the shuttle to my car. RANT ON: Get told that bikes aren't allowed on the shuttle. Driver says it said that in the paper, it replied it did not, and the driver responds well your bike isn't getting on the shuttle. What am I supposed to do? I don't care your bike is not getting on the shuttle. I showed incredible restraint to not cuss this guy out. OMG I was so pissed. I just spent 13 hours plus on the course I'm parked some 4-5 miles away, it's dark, I have 3 sets of bags. Fortunately I went across the road before I started screaming, and talked to a LP Police Officer. While he couldn't help me, he at least told me what I needed to do. The Westover lot was at the bottom of the hill, if I dropped my bike off near transition, take the shuttle back to John Brown Farm and drive back to Westover and the retrieve the bike. I thanked him for his help because he gave me a solution. Rolled back to transition and got a photo op from the Ironman Facebook page, ugly picture. had some nice volunteers let me drop the bike in an area they were watching. Then back to the shuttle and waited a while and got on a full bus. Got back to the farm and had a scare when I found I left my inside light on (but it turns off with the key removed and my car started immediately. Drove back to the WestOver lot and then walked up that steep hill past the police officer again and down to the transition and got my bike then backup to the shuttle stop, shook the police officer's hand and thanked him again, then wheeled down the hill and over to the car. Drove to Rt 73 and traffic was stopped so went to the Iphone and found the alternate route via Rt3. A long twisty foggy drive to the hotel. Didn't bother unloading the bike, got Wendy's and just ate the Frosty. As I got back at 12:30. Texted Tammy and crashed hard.

Next morning got up and then headed back in parked at the boat house, got my special needs bags, brought them back to the car, then went to the post race breakfast and awards celebration. Was on the second floor of the Convention center and had a nice breakfast only problem then was now where to sit. Check out the Kona spot stuff and saw Alyssa won her AG and was 5th OA amature and Kate was second in her AG.. The kona spot sing up was in a huge room and the awards ceremony was in the small room so it was standing room only for most the athletes. That was BS! Got done and finally got to sit as people left and ended up talking to the husband of the W 65-69 age group champ who was the person who gave the pep talk I witnessed and was a fellow gov't employee, so we talked until Alyssa's AG was on stage and I had to take some pictures. Talked to Alyssa and Kate then hit the road. Got some picture of the course and went into the High Peaks Gorge trails spot and walked the waterfalls and nature trails. Super cool spot. Drove home took a nap and had dinner then drove home the next morning.


What limited your ability to perform faster:


Injuries, pulling my calf a week before the race due to an errant step, GI issues on the run and simply not training for an Ironman. But was my 4th fastest of 7 and was a tougher course by fast than the other three quicker ones.

Event comments:

Race was a great experience but the last two impressions were horrible. Course and volunteers were top notch and it was very cool. Great lake to swim in and an awesome bike and run course and fans were great.

Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes

Evaluation
Course challenge Hard
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Bad
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

Friday, June 28, 2013

Rev3 Williamsburg. Too much drama!


Williamsburg, Virginia
United States
REVOLUTION3 Triathlon


80F / 27C
Overcast
Total Time = 2h 35m 58s
Overall Rank = 90/443
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 14/46



Pre-race routine:

Oh where to begin with this one. I was really looking forward to this race, a brand new venue, a relatively flat course which just seemed to set up perfectly for a PR. Well things seemed to be pointing in that direction, was feeling really strong and bounced back after the Quassy Revolution. Then things started to get tough. First my youngest son start hacking up a lung. Sure enough the first day of summer, I started getting sick. Friday night I had chills was aching, stuffed up and nose running off my face. The next morning I finally packed and was feeling a little better, and I hit the road at 11:30 am. The drive was downright evil. Should have been a 6 hour drive turned into over 8 hours. Finally started freaking out on I-64 as the road stopped completely due to a multi car wreck in the fast lane. Barely made it to the Expo in time to check in by 7:00pm then immediately headed to T1 and Jamestown to drop off my bike. Plus it was starting to pour. Got down there to drop my bike and pull it out of the car and my rear tire is flat. Worry about that in the AM. Headed to Yorktown and my hotel and they had me in a smoking room. WTF? No other rooms available and no other hotels available down to Norfolk so I was stuck. Fortunately Farm Fresh Foods was next store so I got a healthy dinner. Couldn't breathe in my hotel room and hacked up a lung all night so only got about 2 hours of sleep. Got up and out to the hotel at 4:30. Wasn't raining when I got out to the car but poured hard a few minutes later on the highway. Got a bit lost then found the main parking lot already full and went to the Giant shopping center parking lot about a mile away. Walked to transition set up T2 in the drizzle and covered my shoes with my extra t-shirt. Got in line for the shuttles and waited. Finally got down to T1 and then remembered I had to take care of my tire. Brought it up to the mechanical support folks and they were awesome taking care of my tire and pumping me up. Fortunately I was in the Olympic and had 8 waves to start before me, so I set up T1 and covered my stuff with the Transition bag. Hit the porta potties and met up with Matt and Tracie and then strolled down to the beach via the road. Ate a Powerbar apple strawberry performance blast when I got up and after breaking transition and drank a bottle of Perform on the ride.

Event warmup:

The practice swim was down the way near the swim out and the last two waves of the half were already going off, so I just wadded by the start then headed to the corral as the rain picked up again. Watched the first Olympic wave and then funneled into the start corral.

Swim

Time 35m 44s
Distance 1931 yards
Pace 01m 51s / 100 yards

Comments:

I still wasn't feeling good and my head was a balloon with sinus pressure. Water was great though. Started in the middle but it ended up being a long walk out to nearly the first buoy in knee to quad deep water. Found a hole and went down. Later I would find out I had broken my right middle toe, but I didn't know it at the time. Once I finally got swimming I was totally lost. I banged into people, could tell where I was going. Couldn't find a rhythm and could even find the next buoy. The current was dragging me all over the place and the deeper the water the more the waves kicked up. Somehow I found myself on the turn buoy and saw a bunch of folks who just plan missed it and were cutting the corner. Again I was either way out by myself or was in the middle of a clump and banging off everyone. Saw pink caps, blue caps, yellow caps, then nothing. Found the buoy and way, way inside and led my clump back to it. Got tight on the next turn buoy and caught the rope a bit. Started heading back in and guess we were with the current as it started to get easier to find the buoys, but still had people drifting into me due to the waves and current, Suddenly everyone is standing up and the long wade back in started. Man that was draining. Worst swim I've ever had.

What would you do differently?:

No idea. Not be sick and have the sinus issues which make it hard to swim straight, but just wasn't ready to go. wasn't amped up thanks to being sick and coughing up smoke. Whatever it was I never had a feel for the water and couldn't navigate and totally lost confidence.



Transition 1

Time 05m 25s

Comments:

Long run up the beach and across the field uphill to transition and then into transition and all the way down to my rack. Felt about as long as the run to T1 at Maine. Not a bad transitions in terms of getting my wetsuit off, couldn't stuff my wetsuit in the transition bag and then tri sided my feet put on damp swiftwick which took time and then loaded my gel and tied my bag and shuffled off. Muddy at exit so went slow and then up to the road and mounted and went.

What would you do differently?:

A bit of urgency and being able to pack my transition bag that totally kicked my butt. Still hadn't noticed my toe was broken but that didn't slow me down. lost 1 spot in my AG going from 23 to 24th but gained 2 spots overall from 200th to 198th

Bike

Time: 1h 04m 5s
Distance: 24 miles
Pace: 22.48 mile/hr

Comments:

Got on the bike and suddenly everything felt right. My nose was running and the pressure bled out too. got wound up and just held the momentum. This was a ride where no one passed me and stayed ahead of me. In fact only one person passed me at all and I got him back after 2 back and forths. The backside roads were rough and I was still paranoid about getting another flat and my front wheel was bouncing. Got through the pothole section and passed my buddy for the last time and then hammered the way back. Turned towards home and ripped up the long gradual hill and over to the transition. One final hill right up to transition and we were done. Passed Chloe on that last hill. Great ride!

What would you do differently?:

Scary but took it a bit too conservative at the start. It wasn't raining but the pavement was wet but it the course didn't have any technical parts. Had the 6th fastest bike split in my AG. Hammered out a 1:04:05 and 22.48 mph, never went over 22 mph in an Olympic before. Went from 24th to 13th and 198th to 87th (111 spot gain :). Legitimately awesome bike leg.

Transition 2

Time: 01m 5s

Comments:

Long clomp down the lane to my bike in the back on T2. Had some issues getting my tire in the rack again. Quick change of shoes, grabbed my hat, and race belt and was off.

What would you do differently?:

Should practice racking one of these days. Keep having issues on race day. Good transition held my position OA and AG wise.

Run

Time: 49m 39s
Distance: 6.4 miles
Pace: 07m 47s min/mile

Comments:

Started out and worked my legs in. Got out of transition behind Chloe so just stayed pace with her till my legs came to me, Passed her just before the cobblestones and then had two go around me on either side after the 1 mile mark. Good second mile, then ran well on the hill up to the turnaround. After the turn I guess I let up some as two people I had a good led on reeled me in on the downhill, including one in my AG. I snapped out of it and hung with the second person and pass back as we turned to the road, got passed back a bit later then pushed up the hill and got ahead again. Started to open up my stride at the top and started working and felt good. Had my buddy from the bike catch up to me after mile 4 aid station and I tried to hold with him, The trip back to T2 was good and I was gaining on him but I didn't preview the course so when we when right on past the finish line and knew where the out and back was going, I got squashed a bit mentally. Sort of faded on that last segment and lost a few spots to a few fast women. Saw the lead pro Eric Limkemenn in the half, so I was able to keep from being lapped. Plus my wake up call on the run ended behind me.

What would you do differently?:

Mentally a very poor run, especially the letdown at the end and the letdown on the downhill. Run was long so it was a 48:03 10K and I did have a broken toe but still didn't know it yet. Could have run a lot better not a challenging course but slow to get going and big let up at the end. Lost 1 spot in my AG 13th to 14th had the 13th fastest split in my AG, and lost 3 spots overall from 87th to 90th.

Post race

Warm down:

Got my medal which was awesome, my water, got asked my shirt size as my chip was removed then walked off without getting my shirt, so ad to come back to get my shirt. Post race food wasn't serving yet so went to VIP tent and got some fruit and a few drinks. Then headed over to the NormaTec tent. The NormaTec reps weren't there so me an Anthony spent the afternoon hooking everyone up. Was pretty fun actually. Teammates got us some food and more drinks and I got to make a lot of folks feel good in the boots. Got to hook up Tenelle Hoogland, 3rd place pro, and several other pros. She was really cool.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Being sick, broken toe, not being able to breathe and being mentally out of race mode except for an hour on the bike. However, in the end run ended up top 20% overall, 23% for men, 20% in my wave and 30% in my age group. 1:54:58 from T1 exit to finish which is a PR, however the swim killed me. 2:35:58 is still my 4th quickest Olympic of 15, and better than my PR until last August.

Event comments:



A first time event at a brand new venue are expected to have a few glitches. The shuttles to the start took longer due to traffic pattern coming back led to long lines and it took a while to get the bags back from T1 since the labors didn't show up. Rev3 crew and team stepped up big time and sorted bags. NormaTec tent was great, food was really good and finally. I had a great time.

Friday, June 21, 2013

The Quassy Triple or how to make the most out of your weekend at the races!


Middlebury, Connecticut
United States
REVOLUTION3 Triathlon
90F / 32C
Sunny

Day1: Total Time Approximately 21 min
Overall Rank 2/150

Day2: Total Time = 2h 43m 43s
Overall Rank = 138/717
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 13/76

Day3: Total Time = 6h 30m 14s
Overall Rank = 587/997
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 111/172

Day 1 The Glow Run 5K

Pre-race routine:

Drove up on Friday. Had to go into work to get status and do the morning meeting. That meeting lasted over 90 min. Then had to drive home since needed to extend 4 cards which expired today. Got on the road by 10:30 then got a call from Matt's Boy Scout Troop leader and a call from the Residents about NMP. Called the RDO and Darrell about that. Basically had to pull off the road every 30 min it seemed. The last time I was about at the exit for the hotel so I went and checked in. Headed to the expo and got checked in then hung out at the Biotta Juices tent a bit until the team dinner at 6:00.

Met up with a bunch a folks from the team and met a few new faces then headed to check in and rack my bike and put on the race stickers then waited in some AC for the Glow run 5K.

REV3 Glow Run:
Did the Glow Run as the sun started to set. Smaller group than Knoxville but a good crowd nonetheless. Started out a few road back next to the best costume guy. Tried to take it easy but found my self picking it up and weaving my way forward. Had to pass the Mini Rev boys (Tim's kids) which I did during the downhill to mile one then passed 3 more people as we hit the out and back. Saw 2 people coming back and then one more I was reeling in. Hit the out and back turn and was told I was in fourth. Caught the girl in front of me soon after and pushed the last mile up to and over the hill which looks a lot different in the dark. Got to the top and around to the road to the park and Eric tells me I'm in second and a cop directing traffic says the same. Never remember passing the 2nd place guy, but around I came to the park and down the finish line through the smoke machine and called home by Sean. 2nd overall and won a box of powerbar performance gummies. Hung out for a bit then headed back to the hotel to get gas , call home, pull on my tats, fill my bottle and set up my bag. and go to sleep.

Day 2: Olympic Rev:

Pre-race routine:
Got up at 5:00am with two independent alarms after last year, and managed to forget my bottle, had to drive 10 min back to get it, make a wrong turn, had to back track and everything else I could to only give me 15 min to set up and pump my tires before being boot out of transition.

Event warmup:

Pre race pit stop then down to the water and put on my wetsuit. Swam about 200 yards warming up then floated/stood neck deep to stay cool as the other waves went off. Last wave of the day, finally headed to the start and lined up.

Swim
Time: 26m 49s
Distance: 1640 yards
Pace: 01m 38s / 100 yards

Comments:

Started out to the outside and a few rows back. Started very low aggression, letting everyone get in and get going. Virtually no contact even though I drifted across the entire field to the far inside. corrected than and was on the buoy line on the way out. Got in a good rhythm. Turned and couldn't see anything as the sun was bad so tried to go off other swimmers. Worked OK I guess as I hit one buoy dead on not even knowing it was there. After than I drifted right and got herded back by the paddleboarders. Got tot the last turn buoy and finally could see again so I cranked up the effort and worked my way back in. Was catching a lot of folks from the previous waves. Got to the beach finally saw the bottom and stood up and leg one was done.

What would you do differently?:

Need to work on siting and navigation. Being right on the buoy makes for difficult turns.

Transition 1
Time: 02m 55s

Comments:

Run up the hill to transition then all the way around to the Revolution bike racks seemed to take forever. Got out of the wetsuit well got quickly into my shoes, glasses and ring on, loaded a gel and left my race belt since didn't have to wear it.

What would you do differently?:

Bit more urgency but not too bad for me. Lost 12 spots OA but maintained 16th in my AG.

Bike
Time: 1h 19m 40s
Distance: 25.68 miles
Pace: 19.43 mile/hr

Comments:

Got going good and took my time going up the road away from the park. Being in the last wave, I had people to pass the entire way which I always like since it keeps me focused. Didn't have anyone pass me and stay in front of my the whole ride. Tried to keep some in the tank early, but kept a good hard tempo and stayed in the big ring through the early hills. Dropped to the small ring at the bottom of the mile 11 monster a bit too soon and had a few people pass me then out of the saddle grinding up that hill passing them back. After that hill I started trying to pick up the tempo a bit. Got to the Oly/half split and did a much better job with the two evil hills in that section, though had to grind the second one a bit. Hammered down the monster decents on the back (love the checkered flag on the one spot) and hit the brakes way early on the last one to make the corner and S safely. Worked hard the way home but got reminded to stay hydrated by a police officer as we came up to the main road back in. Realized I hadn't drank anything for 20 miles. Gulped 2-3 swigs but not enough. Got over the last hill then down and around to the park entrance.

What would you do differently?:

Definitely need to drink more and take the gel I brought for the ride. Paid for this the rest of the weekend.

Transition 2
Time: 01m 6s

Comments:
Nice methodical transition. Shoes on quick, helmet off. Forgot my race belt which wasn't good, but overall a good transition. Lost 1 spot OA and stayed 11th in my AG.

What would you do differently?:

Had some issues racking again. Should have drank some of my bottle right there.

Run
Time: 53m 12s
Distance: 6.21 miles
Pace: 08m 41s min/mile

Comments:

Right out of transition, I had the lady in front of my take every cup and I went empty. Passed her and went on. First two miles went pretty well. My legs came in and I cruised into the shade and up to the out and back turn feeling about right. Once we took the left turn into that first hill; however, it just hit me like a brick wall, I had nothing, felt rotten and super hot and just slogged up the hill. Had two guys from my age group pass there but I got passed someone else who was suffering worse. As the course flatten out I got some back and I followed one of the two that passed me up the mile 3 hill and caught him at the aid station but he was able to scoot off. Had another person in my AG pass on mile 4 and her got up to my other buddy as well and they disappeared. Fought my way up the last hill which at least is very shaded, and fought my way home. Was tough and I was very dehydrated at the end.

What would you do differently?:

Drink a lot more on the bike. 90 degree day and no chance to acclimate this year was a bad combo. went from 11th to 13th in my AG and 119th to 138th OA.

Post race

Warm down:
Got across the line an immediately felt like crap. Got a clod wet finishers towel and extra ice on my neck. Gave back my chip and got my medal and t shirt. Parked myself in front of the cool fan at the med temt for 15 minutes before shuffling to get some food. Ate a ton of fruit but not much else. Did 30 min at the NormaTec tent next to Andrew Starkowitz. Then waddled back to transition, packed up and hit the road.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Got dehydrated on the bike and could catch back up. However it was a course PR by 1:18 and top 20% AG and OA is pretty good, especially considering the bonk on the run.


Event comments:

Great race! Rev 3 Rocks!

Day 3 The Half Rev

Middlebury, Connecticut
United States
Revolution 3
82F / 28C
Sunny
Total Time = 6h 30m 14s
Overall Rank = 587/997
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 111/172

Pre-race routine:
After two races in two days, I went back to the hotel and tried to drink a bunch of juice and had Performance Energy blasts and powerbar protein bars to eat, but lounged and slept. Should have done some more Normatec and Compex but didn't. I did get a good shower, loaded up for day two, made my bottles and went to bed early.

Got up at 5:00am again and avoided all the extras from yesterday but the traffic coming into the park was terrible and we spent a good 35 min from the light to the park and had to park across the street in the baseball field. Once again very little time to set up. Forgot to apply sunscreen and there was a huge line for the porta potties. Fortunately had plenty of time. Ran into Susan as I put on my wetsuit and we talked a bit.

Event warmup:
Again got in a swam for 200 yards then sat/floated neck deep until my wave. A bit early than yesterday but still about 30 min after the first wave.

Swim
Time: 36m 11s
Distance: 2112 yards
Pace: 01m 43s / 100 yards
Comments:

Again started on the outside a few rows back and again took it easy at the start. Bigger wave so a bit more contact but did better at staying outside. The leg up was again very good had several folks going my speed so I latched onto them and sited off them. Got to the turn and into the sun and again couldn't see anything. Zig zagged my way across the lake getting saved by a kayak when I was way outside then herded back when I was way inside. Even going off other swimmers didn't help as our whole group went way inside. Despite the zig zag course I was feeling good on the swim. Once we hit the turn and I could see I worked hard coming back and went buoy to buoy in a straight line. Good swim all told.

What would you do differently?:

Work on navigation, get better tinted goggles.

Transition 1
Time: 04m 3s

Comments:

Had some issues getting out of my wetsuit. Applied plenty of trislide to my feet and sunscreened got my glasses and ring on and helmet and load my gels and off I went.

What would you do differently?:


Wasn't in a hurry. Wasn't racing since I could still feel the after effects from yesterday. So this was a good swim then a catered workout. 63rd to 72nd AG and 379 to 414 OA.

Bike
Time: 3h 11m 24s
Distance: 56 miles
Pace: 17.57 mile/hr
Comments:

As I was not feeling good coming off yesterday I just treated this as a training ride. This is one of my favorite ride period with over 3500 feet of climbing 6 cat 5 and 1 cat 3 climbs. I got going and took it easy following Heather Golnicks advice find a gear that feels one or two level too easy and stay there for at least 30 miles. I downshifted way early and got over the first two hills on the backside on the lake I always geared out on and had to grind. Cruised through the next few segments making some progress but not racing anyone. The big hill was rough and I had to pass people on the inside since there was nowhere to go but I actually stayed seated and granny geared it to the top and passed 5-6 people.

Then decent to BlackRock lake is my favorite and it didn't disappoint. The scenery is awesome and the speed it killer too. But way goes down must come up. Went a lot to the granny gears and stayed seated a lot more than last year as I was having man part pains when I sat. If I stayed seated it was ok but changing position was painful. Plus my back started acting up too. No fun. Did the hills well but got sitting up on the aerobars (hand on aeropads) to ease my back. Last 15 miles were not a lot of fun but I got through it.

What would you do differently?:

Got to figure out the man pain issue prior to IMLP. Still felt the effect from yesterday with a cramp in my left hammy to go with the back and other pains. Still on 72nd to 81 AG and actually 415th to 384th OA so not bad.

Transition 2
Time: 02m 20s

Comments:
Had issues racking and just felt rotten. Took it slow and steady dumped a hot bottle of water on my head, got my race belt this time and headed out.

What would you do differently?:

Not much the die was already cast. 81st to 82nd AG and 384 to 386th OA

Run
Time: 2h 36m 16s
Distance: 13.1 miles
Pace: 11m 57s min/mile
Comments:

Started out shuffling along with a big cramp in my left hamstring and feeling like the tank was on empty. Ended up just shuffling until the hill on mile 2 and conceding I needed to walk the hills from here on out and then jog the rest. So that is what I did. The heat was tough the triple was tougher but all I was doing to today was moving forward and finding my way to the finish line. Saw a lot of folks really struggling in the heat. Was talking to one guy who actually ran a 1:38 for a PR last year but was walking today. I just stayed upbeat and positive and ran as much as I could. At the end I tried to run as much of the final hill as I could then actually got rolling over the end. Good Ironman damage control practice.

What would you do differently?:

Knew coming in it was going to be rough. Should have eaten better between race and not gotten dehydrated Saturday. But such is life. Decided to treat this as a long training day and take whatever the run turned out to be. So it turned out ugly, no big deal.

Post race
Warm down:

Got my towel, medal, and shirt. Thought about doing the ice baths but opted against it. Got some food after crashing in the VIP tent. Felt more human and found my Revolution medal and got to cheer in some of my teammates like Kelly then went back and ate and drank. Met Heather Jackson which was really cool ( she finished 2nd) . Went to T2 and got my stuff packed up the went and watched the awards, then saw Susan and Steve, then packed up and rolled across the street and packed up the car. Got McDonalds including a chocolate shake and sat in my hotel room in my NormaTec boots for 1.5 hours before taking a shower.

What limited your ability to perform fa
ster:


Dehydration Saturday still affected my day Sunday.

Event comments:


Another great job by Rev 3 !