Background: My first Olympic distance tri (did 2 sprints last year). The course is flat and fast and is also one of the qualifying races for age group nationals this year, so I was not surprised to see a LOT of serious hard-bodies with serious bikes. Typical training lately has been 2-3 miles swimming, 30-50 miles biking, and 10-15 miles running for average weeks of about 7 hours total for the past year.
Summary: 2:32:51 total
Swim 26:56, T1 3:19, Bike 1:10, T2 1:51, Run 50:19
Goal #1 was under 3 hours, Goal #2 was under 2:45, and Goal #3 (the dream) was under 2:30.
Full Story:
I was up late Saturday night because my sister and BIL were in town for a party my sis and DW were going to. That left me, BIL, the neighbor, my 2 kids, and unlimited wine to keep us entertained. Even being extra mindful I still went to bed late and not completely sober. 5 am came around fast, but I felt fine. DW and BIL accompanied me to the race while Sis watched the kids at home.
We got to the race site with plenty of time to set up. I staked out my spot and within half an hour my assigned rack was jam packed with aluminum and carbon bikes, many with wheels that cost more than my complete bike. Daydreams of finishing in the top 10% drifted away on the light breeze. I did a little warmup run and a small bike ride, then casually headed down to the lake to find DW and my wetsuit. Apparently she had been frantically searching for me, as start time was in 10 minutes and she thought I must be sprinting around looking for her. Oh well. I donned my wetsuit and got in the water, but did not have time for a swim warmup. The first buoy was waaaaay down the lake - I couldn't believe how far away it was. I was in the first wave (of 8), so the countdown began and we were off.
The swim started out crowded and pretty much stayed that way. And it lasted forever. My gawd, how long can 1.5 km be??? Nearing the final buoy my wetsuit zipper fully opened, ****!!! I treaded water and tried to re-zip it, but it's hard enough on dry land and I couldn't get it fully zipped back up, so I decided to just let it hang open since I was almost done anyway. Got out of the water mid-pack for my wave, feeling a little dizzy, and headed for Transition.
The bike course started with a tiny climb up onto the dike road (Marine Drive), then headed to the right to a turnaround, then back past the park for quite a ways before turning around again to come back.
My goal for the bike was to average at least 20 mph, which I did, but boy was it tough. Eventually I decided I'd rather have a strong bike than to simply hope for a strong run, so I gave it everything I had left and finished at about 21 mph, although my computer (which started freaking out with several miles to go) registered only 38 km on a course that is billed as 40 km and is certified.
I got off the bike, jogged into transition, and headed back out for the run. Right away I was in serious trouble. Worst. Sidestitch. EVER. Way up in my right rib cage, so bad it had me doubled over three times in the first mile. Many runners passed me here and every one of them asked if I was okay. In fact, one of them found me after the race to ask how I was doing, apparently his thoughts had been flashing to heart attack. Looking at the picture my BIL so kindly took, I can see why.
After a 9 minute first mile, the stitch finally moved down to my lower side where I normally get them, and I could deal with it. Picked the pace up to my "normal" training pace of 8:00 m/m and just held it there, telling myself I was just out for a gentle run, nothing more. But my legs were toast and were letting me know. I did think of the WWTD thread a couple times, but to be honest my mental reply was "I don't give a f**k what Thor would do, if I go any faster I know I'll blow up." But still, the pace irked me - so slow. Nothing I could do about it, though, so I just kept keeping on. Each mile dragged by like it was a 6-mile run in itself. It never ended. The last mile I swear took an hour.
I crossed the finish line and walked to the nearest clear spot so I could sink to the ground. BIL, bless his heart, wouldn't let me collapse and made me walk around a little. Reminded me of taking care of someone who drank way too much - "let's walk around a little bit, c'mon over here, you can do it." Eventually I was able to stop swaying and even managed to walk to the nearest picnic table. I was spent. Finished 179th, but don't know yet how many raced. I knew that wasn't going to win any AG awards, so I grabbed my stuff and we headed out. First time I've ever left a race without cheering on at least some of those finishing after me. I really didn't care.
Closing thoughts:
This was hard. Very very hard. I think this distance is, for me, extremely tough. On a longer course I would not have pushed so hard and probably would have finished feeling tired but happy. On a shorter course I would sprint the whole thing and finish tired, but with a quick recovery. These distance were just at the point that I knew I could push hard (which is my natural inclination) but long enough that I really paid for it. I'm looking forward to my next race which is a sprint. Ask me in a few days if I plan any more Oly's this year. Right now the thought makes me cringe.
------------------
Running To My Future
Me[/URL" target="_blank"> and My Log[/URL" target="_blank">
The Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">
http://This message has been edited by mbannon (edited Jun-10-2007).
Summary: 2:32:51 total
Swim 26:56, T1 3:19, Bike 1:10, T2 1:51, Run 50:19
Goal #1 was under 3 hours, Goal #2 was under 2:45, and Goal #3 (the dream) was under 2:30.
Full Story:
I was up late Saturday night because my sister and BIL were in town for a party my sis and DW were going to. That left me, BIL, the neighbor, my 2 kids, and unlimited wine to keep us entertained. Even being extra mindful I still went to bed late and not completely sober. 5 am came around fast, but I felt fine. DW and BIL accompanied me to the race while Sis watched the kids at home.
We got to the race site with plenty of time to set up. I staked out my spot and within half an hour my assigned rack was jam packed with aluminum and carbon bikes, many with wheels that cost more than my complete bike. Daydreams of finishing in the top 10% drifted away on the light breeze. I did a little warmup run and a small bike ride, then casually headed down to the lake to find DW and my wetsuit. Apparently she had been frantically searching for me, as start time was in 10 minutes and she thought I must be sprinting around looking for her. Oh well. I donned my wetsuit and got in the water, but did not have time for a swim warmup. The first buoy was waaaaay down the lake - I couldn't believe how far away it was. I was in the first wave (of 8), so the countdown began and we were off.
The swim started out crowded and pretty much stayed that way. And it lasted forever. My gawd, how long can 1.5 km be??? Nearing the final buoy my wetsuit zipper fully opened, ****!!! I treaded water and tried to re-zip it, but it's hard enough on dry land and I couldn't get it fully zipped back up, so I decided to just let it hang open since I was almost done anyway. Got out of the water mid-pack for my wave, feeling a little dizzy, and headed for Transition.
The bike course started with a tiny climb up onto the dike road (Marine Drive), then headed to the right to a turnaround, then back past the park for quite a ways before turning around again to come back.
My goal for the bike was to average at least 20 mph, which I did, but boy was it tough. Eventually I decided I'd rather have a strong bike than to simply hope for a strong run, so I gave it everything I had left and finished at about 21 mph, although my computer (which started freaking out with several miles to go) registered only 38 km on a course that is billed as 40 km and is certified.
I got off the bike, jogged into transition, and headed back out for the run. Right away I was in serious trouble. Worst. Sidestitch. EVER. Way up in my right rib cage, so bad it had me doubled over three times in the first mile. Many runners passed me here and every one of them asked if I was okay. In fact, one of them found me after the race to ask how I was doing, apparently his thoughts had been flashing to heart attack. Looking at the picture my BIL so kindly took, I can see why.
After a 9 minute first mile, the stitch finally moved down to my lower side where I normally get them, and I could deal with it. Picked the pace up to my "normal" training pace of 8:00 m/m and just held it there, telling myself I was just out for a gentle run, nothing more. But my legs were toast and were letting me know. I did think of the WWTD thread a couple times, but to be honest my mental reply was "I don't give a f**k what Thor would do, if I go any faster I know I'll blow up." But still, the pace irked me - so slow. Nothing I could do about it, though, so I just kept keeping on. Each mile dragged by like it was a 6-mile run in itself. It never ended. The last mile I swear took an hour.
I crossed the finish line and walked to the nearest clear spot so I could sink to the ground. BIL, bless his heart, wouldn't let me collapse and made me walk around a little. Reminded me of taking care of someone who drank way too much - "let's walk around a little bit, c'mon over here, you can do it." Eventually I was able to stop swaying and even managed to walk to the nearest picnic table. I was spent. Finished 179th, but don't know yet how many raced. I knew that wasn't going to win any AG awards, so I grabbed my stuff and we headed out. First time I've ever left a race without cheering on at least some of those finishing after me. I really didn't care.
Closing thoughts:
This was hard. Very very hard. I think this distance is, for me, extremely tough. On a longer course I would not have pushed so hard and probably would have finished feeling tired but happy. On a shorter course I would sprint the whole thing and finish tired, but with a quick recovery. These distance were just at the point that I knew I could push hard (which is my natural inclination) but long enough that I really paid for it. I'm looking forward to my next race which is a sprint. Ask me in a few days if I plan any more Oly's this year. Right now the thought makes me cringe.
------------------
Running To My Future
Me[/URL" target="_blank"> and My Log[/URL" target="_blank">
The Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">
http://This message has been edited by mbannon (edited Jun-10-2007).
). You raced hard, very hard. I bet you will do another oly soon, and I am sure you will beat your dream goal!! Way to go!
) and the mother of all side stitches. I sure hope you've been doing the happy dance since - nice job!!!!!!!!