Lake Stevens 70.3

[benbiggles]

A quick report:

Arrived at the venue with Hans on Saturday afternoon. Registered for the race and went and racked our bikes. All was good.

Hans cooked dinner in the motor home, a fine spaghetti dish with some fagioli meatballs, very nice. We also had a bottle of wine between us, perhaps not the best pre race strategy but hey its about having fun right? We ate dinner at a table overlooking the lake, very nice. Thanks Hans for putting up with me.

Race day dawned early. I had my usual oatmeal and banana for breakfast along with a couple of cups of coffee and plenty of water, oh and a couple of endurolytes.

Set up transition area (very cramped) and warmed up with a light jog for approx 10 mins. Got my wetsuit on and did some dynamic arm swings. Headed over to the start and jumped in the very warm water (72.5 degrees). I lined up front right and took it out quite hard. I stayed right all the way to the top turn. Felt like I was leading the wave but could not be sure of this as I was so far right. I stopped briefly as I was really short of breath for a while. I attribute it to the warm water and my allergies which were really severe the previous night and did not really subside come race morning. Anyway soon got back under way and did not loose much time. Navigated around some slow swimmers from other waves and exited in 29:19.

I later found out I was 3rd out of the water. Had a smooth relatively fast t1 and was away on the bike. This was all new to me, I had not even driven the course let alone ridden it. Not normally a big deal but given I had heard it was challenging maybe some course knowledge would of been useful. No worries it was two loops so at least I would know it second time round.

I was surrounded by people from the younger AG's that started earlier and was a little frustrated on the first loop with all the back and forth. Things settled down on loop two and I rode okay given my bike fitness. I definitely lack those 3-4 hour rides and know my bike fitness meant I had to ride within myself, which I think I did! Calories about 600 (a little light) and three 24 ounce bottles (two water, one eload). Finished the bike in 2:38.43, not happy but it is reflective of where I am at right now fitness wise.

T2 went very smoothly and I headed out on the run confident. Again I knew the run was somewhat challenging but had no knowledge of the course, not a big deal though as I knew there were two climbs of note (well one really imo). Ran for about 15/16km and then the wheels kind of came off. Suffered in the last miles and definitely gave up time to my competitors. Not sure if I was light on calories or carrying some residual fatigue from the 30km the weekend before, whatever I kind of blew up really. The good news is when I used to have a bad HIM run it would result in a 1:45, now it is a 1:34.34 so not all together lost. The frustrating thing was Chris Whyte reeling me in. I am very happy for him but the competitor in me still wants to beat everyone I know (and don't know), sorry Chris

I finished in 4:45.12, 5th in my AG and 46th Overall. A little disappointed but as I have said before my focus this year is on my athletes not my own racing and given the circumstances not an altogether bad race.

Highlights for me were Chris having a great day, Mike P finally doing his run justice in a HIM, the rest of the team cheering me on and high fiving each other, the great camaraderie amongst athletes at the finish regardless of results and rivalries, and Hans Lund for PR'ing and being an awesome travel companion.

Will I race Ocean Shores now? Yes I think I will as I am probably faster right now over the Olympic distance than I am over the Half. Work to do before Worlds but I am confident I can get it done!

Bring it on Team Synergy another good all round performance for us.

Ben-
Great seeing you and the other Team Synergy members out there. I would estimate I saw at least 5 of the team jersey's. See you and Hans at Idyllwood next wednesday.

Scott Bonvallet

[max]

Well done Ben and well done team. Nice to hear that the kit was proudly on display!!

[MikePritch]

Great job Ben, especially given your schedule over the last few weeks - including the two 30K trail runs. I agree the camaraderie and support out there was awesome.

Good luck at Ocean Shores but get back in time for Heidi's. Should be fun!

ps, thanks for your help getting me to a pr swim and run.