5430 Race Report
It occured to me that it's been quite a while since I've posted one of these. Last season just sort of sucked and I didn't feel much like broadcasting it.
This race felt much like a return to form for me. I felt much better through the first 65 or so miles than I did at any point in just about any race last year. That in and of itself was a huge boost to my confidence. Then there was the final 4 miles or so. But what else is new on that? Height of the morning was seeing Dave in transition befor ethe start of the race. Dave and I met at our very first race four years ago. We see each other at at least one race each season. I hadn't seen him yet this year, so it was good to get caught up.
Swim
The swim was very straight forward. I went out in the middle of the pack in my wave (5th). No real issues for the first few buoys. About the only "excitement" to occur was when I lost sight of the last buoy on the first leg. Only time that has ever happened to me in a race. I went off my line for 100 or so yards. I noticed one of the kayakers watching me. Made me wonder what was going on. Then I noticed the pack was a bit "over there". After I got back in with the group, I was able to stay right on line and finish pretty well. Out of the water and into T1.
Oh, note to Barry (race director for the 5430 series): would it kill you to get some outdoor carpet to go over that bit of asphalt heading into transition? Sure would save a lot of our feet.
Bike
Heading out on the bike I felt very strong. The 5430 has a two-loop bike course. The first 5 miles or so are mostly uphill, much of it being a gentle climb, almost a false flat. Keeping that in mind (and my tendency of going overly heavy on the ride and paying for it on the run), I went out rather conservatively. I wanted to remain steady on the second lap, hopefully going for a negative-split.
After the first lap I was still feeling really strong. Given that, I opened it up a little bit on the second lap. I was still riding conservatively, but I wanted to really go for that negative split. At the second aid station they asked if I wanted water or Gatorade. Vodka? No such luck. The third aid station came and went. Wait a second... Was that a guy in a bikini? Last two miles and my @$$ is definitely ready to get out of the saddle. Coming into transition, I check my time on the bike: 3:11:02 by my computer. I was at 1:30:43 starting the second lap. Woohoo! Negative split! Into T2, switch out my gear, and hit a PoP (as TriShannon has christened them) due to some intestinal issues and then out on the run course.
Run
Heading out on the run I see my coach, AJ, and his wife Courtney. I'm feeling much stronger heading out on the run than I did at the same point 3 weeks prior at the Peak. The weather gods so far have blessed us with cooler temps and some clouds. For me, this is a huge bonus. I have a really tough time in the sun, especially on the 5439 courses. There is absolutely NO shade to be found anywhere on the course.
For the first lap of the course I felt very strong and consistent. The sun came out around mile 5, but initially it didn't bug me. I finish the first lap, seeing Mike, and head out for the second. Felt great at first, but then the sun started getting to me. On the back side of the course are two hills you have to contend with. At the top of the second one, my heart rate spiked and my left leg started tightening up. I'm pretty sure this had to do with my nutrition up untiul this point. Some thing to focus on for my last race. Anyways, for mile 9-10, I walked it out, bringing my heart rate back down. I was able to start running again a little after mile 10, but had to take it a little bit easier.
After crossing the dam, I'm into the last half mile of the race. Wanting to finish strong, I pick up the pace a little bit. I feel my left leg tightening up. Coming down the last hill, I'm into the crowd. Mike is there cheering me on and I see Caitlin down by the finishing chute. As is usual for me, I kick in a sprint down the chute. As I turn that last corner, Barry is walking by, notices me and starts shouting. I pour in a little more speed and feel my left leg really tightening up. I keep telling myself not to let up until I cross that line (if I did I knew it would be an instant charlie horse). Sure enough, I cross the line, slow up and start hopping. The nice volunteer comes up to remove the chip on that leg, asking if I'm okay. I explain to her that I'm fine, just need to get some potassium and stretch out.
After the race, I meet up with Caitlin. Yay for having someone cheering you into the finish. Head over to the food tent. They offer me a burrito, but I head straight for the bananas. Hang out for a little while, stretching out my leg and eating two bananas. After that, I head on home and start thinking about the 4 weeks to come.
Looking back on the race, I'm happy. I was a bit past the upper range of time I wanted to be at. However, looking back on last season, I don't care. I finished. I had enough left in the tank for a strong finish. 2 days later I was back into my training, feeling far better than I have after any race for the last year. So, final stretch to come. Here we go.