Race Report: Timberman 70.3.
Timberman 70.3
August 19, 2007
1.2m/56m/13.1m
Fashion Report
Club tri-shorts and top, Promotion wetsuit in complimentary red. A new pair of Adrenaline GTS?s and some nifty new coolmax socks.
Breakfast Report
Blueberry bagel & OJ in the hotel bathroom. Banana en route to start.
Result Summary
1.2 mile Swim: 47:44 (39:47/mile, 1265/1492)
T1 ? 4:06
56 mile Bike: 3:00:24 (18.6 mph avg, 708/1492)
T2 ? 3:32
13.1 mile Run: 1:59:23 (9:07 min/mil, 713/1492)
Total: 5:55:08 (78/142 M45-49, 816/1492)
Run Splits;
1: 27:42 27:42
2: 28:59 56:41
3: 31:21 1:28:02
4: 31:23 1:59:24
In-race Nutrition
T1 - Two salt tabs, bit of Gatorade.
Bike - 3+ bottles of Gatorade, 2 salt tabs at half way, 2 granola bars.
T2 - Two salt tabs, bit of Gatorade.
Run - Alternated water and Gatorade at aid stations, one Gu at about mile 6.
Evaluation against previously posted goals:
1. Have fun. This is always paramount. It should be a high stress weekend with early mornings and the whole family focused on their own races (DW in Sprint, DS1 & DS2 in Timberkids). I hope to stay cool and enjoy the weekend.
I think I did pretty well here. DW had the windy day for the sprint. She left home at 3:30 AM to drive north. The boys and I slept in and left home at 5:30. We arrived in time to see her finish the swim. The waves were horrendous on Saturday ? she came out of the water seasick. She had to stop 10 minutes into the bike to throw up. But, she got right back on and brought it home!! Way to go wife!
Boys both raced the Timberkids on Saturday afternoon. DS1 had a great day and took club honors as fastest Timberkid. DS2 was cold out of the swim and never warmed up. Finished with blue lips and a forced smile ? a victory for pushing through!
I got to see lot of club and CR tri-peeps ? including Julie B., who rocked her goal, and Iron Boy, who is a champ!!! My club had 35 in the sprint, 45 in the half, and 15 in the Timberkids - great to see them all!! It was all fun!! 1/1
2. Finish the HIM. Gotta remind myself that I?m doing this for my own well being and that most of the benefits come from the training. The race is the gravy. If I make it through, I?ll have done something to be proud of.
Stomped. It felt great to get ?er done. I felt sufficiently prepared, despite my doubts, and raced with confidence. See the Summary for some more thoughts but check this one off!!! 2/2
3. Swim. I?ve been steady at about a 40 minute/mile pace in training. Add race adrenaline, subtract for crowd ? say those even out ? and I?ll be happy with 48:00 for the 1.2 miles.
The lake was pleasingly calm after a windy day the day before. We were next to last wave and stood around forever ? of course. I had at least three clubmates in my wave - and we yucked it up moving to the line. Finally off with plenty of room at the start and BIG buoys for sighting. I made the mistake of wearing my wedding ring (wait, that sounds wrong!). But all through the race I was convinced it would slip off and pushed it snugly on a number of times ? just in case. I swam my slow and steady pace with few incidents for most of the race. The water was warm (I heard 74) and beautifully clear ? what a great Lake!! I tried to follow bubbles, stay on a straight course, and just keep it steady. A few caps from the next wave passed me - but I was please to catch a few from the previous as well. A few hundred yards from the finish though, I had a calf cramp up. I was able to stay calm, spend a minute or so stretching it out, and resume swimming - but it was hurting. Too much toe pointing I guess.
Came out of the water to find the family (who I?d left sleeping at the motel) waiting at the fence ? pretty happy to see dry land!!! (And the family.) I was shocked that there were no trophies at this point - should have gotten something for surviving the swim!
I was thrilled to check my watch at the end. Though I felt steady, I didn?t feel fast ? but I did what I planned. Official time: 47:44. Mark that one killed. 3/3
4. Bike. Hammer. Bad. Must weenie bike. Have gone too hard on the bike in recent races. My goal is to keep it under control while still making some gains on what I?ve lost in the swim. Something in the high 18?s or low 19?s is probably a good balanced target. Under three hours would be good.
As I racked my back on Saturday afternoon, I was feeling totally out-classed. Lots of fancy carbon bikes. Very intimidating. But being a slow swimmer in the next-to-last wave has its advantages: a target-rich environment. This is also bad ?cuz I needed to take it easy. I kept repeating to myself ? Must. Weenie. Bike. I kept the gears low and the cadence high and found a happy medium. Ii still got to pass a lot of people ? though a few did pass me. I did hit one bump so hard I readjusted one aerobar but for the most part, it was pleasant, consistently quick, and comfortable.
And let me tell you... The only thing that feels better than passing one of them fancy carbon bikes... Is passing one of them fancy carbon bikes with a 29 year-old on it!! Wooohooo!!
This course was tough - there were some serious hills!!!! I knew it would be hard ? but I was still surprised at just how much so. Several of the hills were long painful cranks in lowest gear that seemed to last forever. On one hill, I saw at least a couple of people get off and push. Coming back down that same hill, there was a bit of a traffic thing going on - three cars following a group of four bikes. I was outpacing them all and had a dilemma - I finally held my breath and passed the three cars!!! Yikes!!!
Final time ? 3:00:24. 18.6 mph average. I?d say, on plan. 4/4
5. Run. Yah, run. That?s the goal ? keep some sort of respectable pace for the distance. I used to be faster. Now, I?ll view something close to 8:30?s as a victory, anything below 9?s as acceptable. I'd like 1:55.
Well? Almost. I came out of the shoot at 8:45 for mile one. Miles 2 and 3 were 8:15-8:20. But it was all downhill from there. It was cool air ? but hot sun. For the last three miles, I was in that interminable search for that optimal pace where it still feels like running but you?re avoiding the crippling calf and quad cramps. I had to stop several times to stretch. Those were a tough couple miles.
Also, this was the first race I've run where I've had my name on my bib. I kept hearing people say "Go John" or "Nice job John" - and I figured if they knew my name, I should know them!?!? I returned a lot of good wishes with a puzzled stare. Sorry folks.
Official time: 1:59:23. 9:07 pace. So? Missed this one. 4/5.
6. Overall. If the stars align? If the good Lord?s willin? and the creek don?t rise? I?d be thrilled to hit the above splits, keep the transitions reasonable, and come in under 6 hours.
There was sufficient star alignment that I could absorb my sub-par run and beat this one!! My wife and kids were working at the finish line ? how great to be greeted by them! At the time, I wasn?t quite sure if our wave had gone off at the 40 or 45 minute mark and I'd stopped my watch on swim exit so total time there was off - so I figured I?d either blown this goal by 8 seconds (which I'd have counted as a win anyway!) or killed it by nearly 5 minutes. I killed it!!!!!!!!!!!! 5/6
Summary
Fantastic organization at this race! Great amenities ? nice long sleeve tech shirt, a hat, great goodies, great expo, etc. The aid stations were almost overwhelming! They were every 10 miles or less on the bike, every three quarter mile or less on the run ? and fully stocked with Gatorade, gu, food, sponges. VERY well run event!
So? Was it as emotional as my first marathon? No. That one had a lifestyle change involved. Was it a satisfying accomplishment? You bet. I hit most of my goals, I had fun throughout the event (minus the cramping moments), and I accomplished it all while balancing family obligations. I?m proud to be half an Ironman!
Tired now. Getting another beer.
------------------
->>> John[/URL" target="_blank"> <<<-
Go write something in the Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">!!
Running Club[/URL" target="_blank"> Tri Club[/URL" target="_blank">
http://This message has been edited by LeftRightRepeat (edited Aug-24-2007).
Timberman 70.3
August 19, 2007
1.2m/56m/13.1m
Fashion Report
Club tri-shorts and top, Promotion wetsuit in complimentary red. A new pair of Adrenaline GTS?s and some nifty new coolmax socks.
Breakfast Report
Blueberry bagel & OJ in the hotel bathroom. Banana en route to start.
Result Summary
1.2 mile Swim: 47:44 (39:47/mile, 1265/1492)
T1 ? 4:06
56 mile Bike: 3:00:24 (18.6 mph avg, 708/1492)
T2 ? 3:32
13.1 mile Run: 1:59:23 (9:07 min/mil, 713/1492)
Total: 5:55:08 (78/142 M45-49, 816/1492)
Run Splits;
1: 27:42 27:42
2: 28:59 56:41
3: 31:21 1:28:02
4: 31:23 1:59:24
In-race Nutrition
T1 - Two salt tabs, bit of Gatorade.
Bike - 3+ bottles of Gatorade, 2 salt tabs at half way, 2 granola bars.
T2 - Two salt tabs, bit of Gatorade.
Run - Alternated water and Gatorade at aid stations, one Gu at about mile 6.
Evaluation against previously posted goals:
1. Have fun. This is always paramount. It should be a high stress weekend with early mornings and the whole family focused on their own races (DW in Sprint, DS1 & DS2 in Timberkids). I hope to stay cool and enjoy the weekend.
I think I did pretty well here. DW had the windy day for the sprint. She left home at 3:30 AM to drive north. The boys and I slept in and left home at 5:30. We arrived in time to see her finish the swim. The waves were horrendous on Saturday ? she came out of the water seasick. She had to stop 10 minutes into the bike to throw up. But, she got right back on and brought it home!! Way to go wife!
Boys both raced the Timberkids on Saturday afternoon. DS1 had a great day and took club honors as fastest Timberkid. DS2 was cold out of the swim and never warmed up. Finished with blue lips and a forced smile ? a victory for pushing through!
I got to see lot of club and CR tri-peeps ? including Julie B., who rocked her goal, and Iron Boy, who is a champ!!! My club had 35 in the sprint, 45 in the half, and 15 in the Timberkids - great to see them all!! It was all fun!! 1/1
2. Finish the HIM. Gotta remind myself that I?m doing this for my own well being and that most of the benefits come from the training. The race is the gravy. If I make it through, I?ll have done something to be proud of.
Stomped. It felt great to get ?er done. I felt sufficiently prepared, despite my doubts, and raced with confidence. See the Summary for some more thoughts but check this one off!!! 2/2
3. Swim. I?ve been steady at about a 40 minute/mile pace in training. Add race adrenaline, subtract for crowd ? say those even out ? and I?ll be happy with 48:00 for the 1.2 miles.
The lake was pleasingly calm after a windy day the day before. We were next to last wave and stood around forever ? of course. I had at least three clubmates in my wave - and we yucked it up moving to the line. Finally off with plenty of room at the start and BIG buoys for sighting. I made the mistake of wearing my wedding ring (wait, that sounds wrong!). But all through the race I was convinced it would slip off and pushed it snugly on a number of times ? just in case. I swam my slow and steady pace with few incidents for most of the race. The water was warm (I heard 74) and beautifully clear ? what a great Lake!! I tried to follow bubbles, stay on a straight course, and just keep it steady. A few caps from the next wave passed me - but I was please to catch a few from the previous as well. A few hundred yards from the finish though, I had a calf cramp up. I was able to stay calm, spend a minute or so stretching it out, and resume swimming - but it was hurting. Too much toe pointing I guess.
Came out of the water to find the family (who I?d left sleeping at the motel) waiting at the fence ? pretty happy to see dry land!!! (And the family.) I was shocked that there were no trophies at this point - should have gotten something for surviving the swim!
I was thrilled to check my watch at the end. Though I felt steady, I didn?t feel fast ? but I did what I planned. Official time: 47:44. Mark that one killed. 3/3
4. Bike. Hammer. Bad. Must weenie bike. Have gone too hard on the bike in recent races. My goal is to keep it under control while still making some gains on what I?ve lost in the swim. Something in the high 18?s or low 19?s is probably a good balanced target. Under three hours would be good.
As I racked my back on Saturday afternoon, I was feeling totally out-classed. Lots of fancy carbon bikes. Very intimidating. But being a slow swimmer in the next-to-last wave has its advantages: a target-rich environment. This is also bad ?cuz I needed to take it easy. I kept repeating to myself ? Must. Weenie. Bike. I kept the gears low and the cadence high and found a happy medium. Ii still got to pass a lot of people ? though a few did pass me. I did hit one bump so hard I readjusted one aerobar but for the most part, it was pleasant, consistently quick, and comfortable.
And let me tell you... The only thing that feels better than passing one of them fancy carbon bikes... Is passing one of them fancy carbon bikes with a 29 year-old on it!! Wooohooo!!
This course was tough - there were some serious hills!!!! I knew it would be hard ? but I was still surprised at just how much so. Several of the hills were long painful cranks in lowest gear that seemed to last forever. On one hill, I saw at least a couple of people get off and push. Coming back down that same hill, there was a bit of a traffic thing going on - three cars following a group of four bikes. I was outpacing them all and had a dilemma - I finally held my breath and passed the three cars!!! Yikes!!!
Final time ? 3:00:24. 18.6 mph average. I?d say, on plan. 4/4
5. Run. Yah, run. That?s the goal ? keep some sort of respectable pace for the distance. I used to be faster. Now, I?ll view something close to 8:30?s as a victory, anything below 9?s as acceptable. I'd like 1:55.
Well? Almost. I came out of the shoot at 8:45 for mile one. Miles 2 and 3 were 8:15-8:20. But it was all downhill from there. It was cool air ? but hot sun. For the last three miles, I was in that interminable search for that optimal pace where it still feels like running but you?re avoiding the crippling calf and quad cramps. I had to stop several times to stretch. Those were a tough couple miles.
Also, this was the first race I've run where I've had my name on my bib. I kept hearing people say "Go John" or "Nice job John" - and I figured if they knew my name, I should know them!?!? I returned a lot of good wishes with a puzzled stare. Sorry folks.
Official time: 1:59:23. 9:07 pace. So? Missed this one. 4/5.
6. Overall. If the stars align? If the good Lord?s willin? and the creek don?t rise? I?d be thrilled to hit the above splits, keep the transitions reasonable, and come in under 6 hours.
There was sufficient star alignment that I could absorb my sub-par run and beat this one!! My wife and kids were working at the finish line ? how great to be greeted by them! At the time, I wasn?t quite sure if our wave had gone off at the 40 or 45 minute mark and I'd stopped my watch on swim exit so total time there was off - so I figured I?d either blown this goal by 8 seconds (which I'd have counted as a win anyway!) or killed it by nearly 5 minutes. I killed it!!!!!!!!!!!! 5/6
Summary
Fantastic organization at this race! Great amenities ? nice long sleeve tech shirt, a hat, great goodies, great expo, etc. The aid stations were almost overwhelming! They were every 10 miles or less on the bike, every three quarter mile or less on the run ? and fully stocked with Gatorade, gu, food, sponges. VERY well run event!
So? Was it as emotional as my first marathon? No. That one had a lifestyle change involved. Was it a satisfying accomplishment? You bet. I hit most of my goals, I had fun throughout the event (minus the cramping moments), and I accomplished it all while balancing family obligations. I?m proud to be half an Ironman!
Tired now. Getting another beer.
------------------
->>> John[/URL" target="_blank"> <<<-
Go write something in the Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">!!
Running Club[/URL" target="_blank"> Tri Club[/URL" target="_blank">
http://This message has been edited by LeftRightRepeat (edited Aug-24-2007).
