benbiggles
09-16-2009, 04:03 PM
I have always wanted to do this race, usually working at IMWIS but not this year so finally a chance to do it, very cool. I did not know a great deal about the course but to be honest that does not usually phase me and I guessed the bike must be pretty fast and flat judging by times from previous years. The trail run sounded like fun!
Race day dawned and I was happy knowing that the weather was forecast to be dry and warm, unlike Lake Stevens where I got very cold in the early AM. Cindy was good enough to drive down to Millersylvania Park and all I had to do was sip on my diluted down eload and relax. Arrived safely, caught up with some of my athletes and friends and then attempted to scope out the lake, the run to transition and the bike exit/entry etc. All seemed straightforward other than the long run from the water to transition on a lumpy surface, not too bad though.
Warm up was a little short, tore a seam on my wetsuit while putting it on and then headed into the water. It was warm. I swam around the buoys to the start and then hung off the front of the group waiting for the gun. The horn sounded and I took off hard for the first 2-300 meters. I suddenly felt uncomfortable in the water to the point where I had to stop and compose myself. This is the same anxious feeling I felt at Lake Stevens last year and was a concern. I stopped, flushed my suit hoping the cooler water might help and then looked around. There were only two swimmers in my immediate vicinity one of whom I guessed was Tom Campbell. Everyone else was some way behind me. I thought 'okay just get through the swim and once on dry land you will be fine'. I tried to re-establish some rhythm but to be honest just cruised the remainder of the swim not wanting to have another 'episode'. Exited the water maybe 3rd or 4th not too sure to be honest. Stripped my wetsuit off before the run to t1, this was smart.
Had a very clean transition, no sunglasses just my helmet and shoes to put on and away I went. By the time I left the park entrance I was at the front of the race and had the pleasure of pursuing the lead motorcycle for 30 miles. Unfortunately he obviously understood the concept of drafting and stayed about 15-20 meters in front of me all the time except at junctions where he would wait and let me pass before re passing me. The course allows you to work hard the entire time and there really is no respite. I worked hard and tried to hold around 270-280 watts (HR approx 160-162). My Garmin says I averaged 160bpm and 262 watts (that is AP). I did consciously back off the last 2-3 miles hoping to loosen my legs off, allow myself to run half decently and to try and minimize recovery time out of the back side of this race so I could have another decent week of training this week. The plan did not work! I consumed less of my drink than I would have liked but did manage to get down a gel and about 500ml of fluids, a little lighter than I would have liked.
I felt solid enough leaving t2 and headed out onto the trail. My right quad was very tight and so was my left hip, borderline cramping. I walked the first (and only) aid station and drank a cup of water hoping my cramp would ease up, it did not. I started running again and for some reason started to think I should start shutting it down and save my legs. Then I remembered I was in a race and there was a good chance I could win it, so I resumed trying to make my legs work and run as fast as they would allow. Aerobically I was very comfortable due to my legs not complying with my commands to run faster, could have been something to do with riding 25mph for 30 miles :)
I had to walk another short stretch of the run to try and loosen off my left hip but nothing to serious. I crossed the line 1st in my wave and then waited. Next across the line a couple of minutes back was Tom Campbell. I congratulated him and then waited for my friend Derek Hill to finish before heading off for a short cool down jog. I desperately needed this if I was to bounce back from this race quickly and was glad I did it. After this I guzzled more water and 'fuze' or whatever it was they were handing out and cheered on my teammates across the line including Max, Rocky, Bryan, Dini, Damon and Stacey. They all had great races. I was unsure if anyone in the 'old guys' wave had beaten me although Bryan seemed to think Chris Blair had won, I quite believed it as with my poor swim and run I did not feel like I deserved to win the race and Chris is a very solid athlete so I was pleased for him. I even chatted to him for a bit and told him I thought he must have won, he seemed to agree ;)
When all the results were in it turned out I did win overall :D. I was pleased and reflective at the same time. Honestly this was not a good race for me, I hate to sound negativel but I have to look at the outcome a little more objectively than the end result. I am not disappointed with my race but a little concerned with some elements, most notably the 'anxiety' attack in the water. I have a lot going on in my life right now and some stressors that I would rather were not present but I know what they are and I think know how to deal with them so things should ease off and fingers crossed for this weekend at Grand Columbian and hopefully no panic attack!!!
A big thank you to Cindy my wonderful support crew for the weekend and to Marne and Kirk for all their cheering. It goes without saying big congrats to all my teammates who raced, congrats on some great results.
BB
Race day dawned and I was happy knowing that the weather was forecast to be dry and warm, unlike Lake Stevens where I got very cold in the early AM. Cindy was good enough to drive down to Millersylvania Park and all I had to do was sip on my diluted down eload and relax. Arrived safely, caught up with some of my athletes and friends and then attempted to scope out the lake, the run to transition and the bike exit/entry etc. All seemed straightforward other than the long run from the water to transition on a lumpy surface, not too bad though.
Warm up was a little short, tore a seam on my wetsuit while putting it on and then headed into the water. It was warm. I swam around the buoys to the start and then hung off the front of the group waiting for the gun. The horn sounded and I took off hard for the first 2-300 meters. I suddenly felt uncomfortable in the water to the point where I had to stop and compose myself. This is the same anxious feeling I felt at Lake Stevens last year and was a concern. I stopped, flushed my suit hoping the cooler water might help and then looked around. There were only two swimmers in my immediate vicinity one of whom I guessed was Tom Campbell. Everyone else was some way behind me. I thought 'okay just get through the swim and once on dry land you will be fine'. I tried to re-establish some rhythm but to be honest just cruised the remainder of the swim not wanting to have another 'episode'. Exited the water maybe 3rd or 4th not too sure to be honest. Stripped my wetsuit off before the run to t1, this was smart.
Had a very clean transition, no sunglasses just my helmet and shoes to put on and away I went. By the time I left the park entrance I was at the front of the race and had the pleasure of pursuing the lead motorcycle for 30 miles. Unfortunately he obviously understood the concept of drafting and stayed about 15-20 meters in front of me all the time except at junctions where he would wait and let me pass before re passing me. The course allows you to work hard the entire time and there really is no respite. I worked hard and tried to hold around 270-280 watts (HR approx 160-162). My Garmin says I averaged 160bpm and 262 watts (that is AP). I did consciously back off the last 2-3 miles hoping to loosen my legs off, allow myself to run half decently and to try and minimize recovery time out of the back side of this race so I could have another decent week of training this week. The plan did not work! I consumed less of my drink than I would have liked but did manage to get down a gel and about 500ml of fluids, a little lighter than I would have liked.
I felt solid enough leaving t2 and headed out onto the trail. My right quad was very tight and so was my left hip, borderline cramping. I walked the first (and only) aid station and drank a cup of water hoping my cramp would ease up, it did not. I started running again and for some reason started to think I should start shutting it down and save my legs. Then I remembered I was in a race and there was a good chance I could win it, so I resumed trying to make my legs work and run as fast as they would allow. Aerobically I was very comfortable due to my legs not complying with my commands to run faster, could have been something to do with riding 25mph for 30 miles :)
I had to walk another short stretch of the run to try and loosen off my left hip but nothing to serious. I crossed the line 1st in my wave and then waited. Next across the line a couple of minutes back was Tom Campbell. I congratulated him and then waited for my friend Derek Hill to finish before heading off for a short cool down jog. I desperately needed this if I was to bounce back from this race quickly and was glad I did it. After this I guzzled more water and 'fuze' or whatever it was they were handing out and cheered on my teammates across the line including Max, Rocky, Bryan, Dini, Damon and Stacey. They all had great races. I was unsure if anyone in the 'old guys' wave had beaten me although Bryan seemed to think Chris Blair had won, I quite believed it as with my poor swim and run I did not feel like I deserved to win the race and Chris is a very solid athlete so I was pleased for him. I even chatted to him for a bit and told him I thought he must have won, he seemed to agree ;)
When all the results were in it turned out I did win overall :D. I was pleased and reflective at the same time. Honestly this was not a good race for me, I hate to sound negativel but I have to look at the outcome a little more objectively than the end result. I am not disappointed with my race but a little concerned with some elements, most notably the 'anxiety' attack in the water. I have a lot going on in my life right now and some stressors that I would rather were not present but I know what they are and I think know how to deal with them so things should ease off and fingers crossed for this weekend at Grand Columbian and hopefully no panic attack!!!
A big thank you to Cindy my wonderful support crew for the weekend and to Marne and Kirk for all their cheering. It goes without saying big congrats to all my teammates who raced, congrats on some great results.
BB