-- "More than a Feelin'" --
After spending too much time driving around trying to find my motel, having to backtrack, stop and ask directions from a bar (thanks, Google Maps), I found the River View Motel and settled in for a sleepless night in the last room, a smoking single. I had driven the bike course and seen the hills, and I was alittle nervous for this aspect of the race. So, I watched Michael Phelps grab gold #7, and then tossed and turned until 4, when I packed up and rolled to Ellacoya Park to get parking before the masses converged. Turns out I didn't need to, since most people arrived later than me, but I think having that extra time to settle in helped. The sky was ominous, but the air wasn't too cold and the water was a tepid 73 degrees- perfect. My transition number was set up right by the bike in/out, but at the opposite side of the swim in/run out gate. Still, I decided not to pre-clip my shoes since it was literally a 30 yard run on a carpet to the mount line. I had forgotten my goggles in my mad rush to get everything packed- a whole different and complex story involving septic systems, high water tables, laundramats, and a visit to Wolfeboro, where Leigh and I used to live and work...maybe I'll get into that another time- So, I bought a pair of Tyr goggles at the expo before the race and I was all set. Everything ready, headed off to the beach to get a swim warmup, and then it was time to ROCK! (Serious butterflies flopping around thinking about that bike and the elevation gains on the out leg...)
Swim: "I Feel Good."
Got to the outside from the start, and didn't see a sole near me the entire swim. Angled in tot he first buoy and then followed the leaders and stoked long and strong. Water was crisp, clear, and pretty shallow. I just tried to pace it out because I was worried about the hills on the ride. No worries for the swim at all!
Time: 9:00 flat, 120/990, 7th AG
T1: "We Jammin'"
I had a blast at the transition. They had a wetsuit stripping station that everyone was going to, but I just veered off, ran through some footwash tubs, and kept going to my bike to the shock of the strippers and some fans. I flew out of the suit, quick grab of the bike, and I was off. Fast and clean!
Bike: "Flirtin' with Disaster"
I immediately felt good on the bike, and I had read on ST that some bike gurus had been suggesting pushing lower cadence and higher gears, so I tried that and it felt good, so I kept with it over the first few rollers. Passed some guys from the first 3 waves. Then, we hit the hill. It was about 2 miles of constant climbing, maybe 5% grade so nothing major, but a hurtin' for some of the riders. I danced up, flew by many guys, and felt great. I was shocked, but mashing was working and my HR wasn't through the roof. Hit the turn around, gobbled a Gel, and mashed up the last major climb, then a long, long descent that I really motored on (35-40mph mostly). Guys were weaving out into the road, and there were cars driving with us, so it was alittle sketchy. Then, I came up to a group of four guys stacked from the shoulder out, and a utility truck was next to them trying to pass. They did not streamline to the shoulder, but were riding next to eachother. I was out behind the truck trying to get some passing space, and motoring at 35 when the truck hit its brakes. A well meaning cop had tried to stop the truck by standing in the road and throwing his hands up. I thought I was a gonner. Went into a skid trying to brake, with no room to my right since the guys were stacked there, and oncoming traffic to the left. I was able somehow to swerve, miss the bumper of the truck, and slide in behind the last guy, and then recover. With the adrenaline pumping, I flew by those guys and never looked back, playing cat and mouse with another AG guy for the rest of the ride. Rolled in to T2 feeling good and ready to run.
Time: 45:55, 19.6 ave., 100th OA, 8th AG
(Course was out to mile 7 and back)
T2: "The Final Countdown"
In, out. Fast.
Run: "Disco Duck"
My legs took a long time to adjust to running, but by the end of the first mile, I was feeling good, HR where it should be, and I was passing guys! Often! I was passed by a few AG guys, but that was it. Then, it came! With 1/2 mile left ont he run, I passed this guy who looked like he might have some kick. He was tall, wearing a hot pink headband, blond hair flowing over the top, and rocking a psychadelic tie-dye speedo. My only thought as I ran the last 1/2 mile was to get enough space so that this guy was not in my finish photo (It was a looooong finish chute). Success, and I felt great and had some kick, too.
Time: 22:30, 7:28 ave, fastest 5k after a hard ride EVER!
In summary: This was my best complete race this year. There was nothing I feel I could have done better than I did, and though my final time and AG placing isn't great (1:22:xx, 13/67 AG, 120 OA), I am totally psyched with the race and the result and feel like it was a great final race of the summer for me. Pictures to follow!
