14 June 1998
500 meter lake swim, 14 mile bike, 3.1 mile run
Prologue | Didn't really know what to expect at this race; last week's attempt at Pigman was an improvement over last year, but I felt I could do better. Arrived at the race site plenty early (6:45, race started at 8) and found that a good 2/3 of the parking spots were already taken! Yikes! (Must be the first race of the season or something....). Met up with old friends and new ones, set up and got marked, and pretty much just hung around, waiting for the start! Fellow TRI-DRS members Doug and Jeremy were in attendance, and I sported my new TRI-DRS top to see if anyone else would strike up a conversation....No takers....Oh, well! |
The Swim | Wetsuit on, cap on, goggles on, and I'm rarin' to go! After a frigid Friday swim (Thanks, Jeremy) and a leisurely Saturday bike (Thanks, Doug), I was itching to put on a good show! Too soon, and the horn sounded for my wave (3rd of 6, all men 30-39). With the bottom of the lake not sloping downward very rapidly, it was an easy walk out the first 100 or so yards, and then a VERY crowded swim until the turnaround at the pontoon. I spent a lot of my time just looking up to see if I was really going in the right direction, and searching vainly for an open spot in the water. After the turnaround, I did find it easier to move at my own speed, and cranked it up a bit to improve my time. As I approached the beach, I noticed many walking the 100+ yards to the shore (that shallow bottom will get you every time!) and I did the same. Exited the water at 7:34, and suspected the swim to be 500 yards and not meters....T1 was quick and painless at 2:03, and I was on the bike! |
The Bike | Having a poor ride at Pigman really motivated me to push this ride today --- little or no traffic (except bikes) and lots of rolling hills to push up and speed down! I cruised along at 20 mph or so, slowing to 15 mph or less on the ups, and exceeding 30 mph on most of the downs. I expected the lead women in the wave after mine to catch up with me, since I seemed to be passing no one, and getting passed by quite a few men, but no women passed me in the first four miles. Approaching the turnaround, I was passed by a few women, but was holding my own in the midst of the men. A quick turnaround, and I was off like a bullet! The wind was behind us a bit, and I really cranked out the downhills and flats, staying above 21 mph even on some short uphill stretches! Took until the last 3 miles before a few more women passed me, and some Masters men (in the wave after the women). Cruising along, I hit the final 1/2 mile and was on a roll! Into transition and the time was 39:50! Average speed of over 21 MPH! WooHoo! Total time was still under 50 minutes, and I had just T2 and the run to go! T2 was about one minute, and I was off! |
The Run | Why does this run feel so slow? I usually don't have much of a problem getting started on my run, but today, I just didn't feel strong at first. Probably my stellar bike did me in! I chugged along, passing a few people every couple minutes, but generally getting passed more than I was passing. Stopped at the water handoff to walk a bit and drink, and this helped. Got going again, and picked off some more people (some had passed me at the water stop). The turnaround was near, and I cheered on some of my acquaintances as they went by me, already past the turnaround point. I was there soon after, and I just kept moving! Picked off some more people, and stopped at the water station again --- lost a few places here. The end of the race was approaching, and I just might make 1:10 if I really push it! But it wasn't in me, and I settled into a slowing gait as the finish line approached....and then I was done! 1:12:05!!! Wow! A run of 22:31 was my best so far this season! (must have been short....). This was just amazing! SIX minutes faster than last year! Yeah! |
Postscript | I couldn't believe how well this race had gone. My swim was two minutes faster than last year, my bike was almost two minutes faster, and my run was over one minute faster! My transitions were smooth, and I couldn't have asked for a better race! Overall placing was WAY UP from last year (78th place compared to 133 last year; 30th of 62 in my age group --- 30-39 males). I certainly hope my races for the rest of the season go this well! Next up --- USTS Madison! |