I started out early on Sunday morning because I couldn't sleep anyway and my family wasn't coming with me because my son had come down with a fever. I'm not sure it's very much fun for them anyway but I like having someone cheering me on.
It was a grey and comfortable morning and for once I was at the race site early and racked my bike and went for a wander, taking race morning in. This included 4 trips to the port-a-potties!
Swim:
Longest swim in a race to date and I was a little apprehensive. But I really enjoyed most of it. The start was a self seeded start where the racer chooses a cap that corresponds to the time in which he/she will finish the race. I was a bit conservative and seeded myself finish between 27 and 29 minutes. I remember glancing at my watch as I came out of the water and saw 25:something then the run uphill to transition added up to 27:09. I far prefer this start to the age wave because you never get caught behind a wall of slower swimmers from previous waves. I had a huge grin on my face as the race was started because of the image of all the swimmers crashing through the water to get a good start. It was like a washing machine. Everybody sliding all over each others wet suit. I was able to find someone to draft off pretty easily and kept a draft for much of the first loop. The second loop was a different story. I decided to do some unilateral breathing on my weaker side and overcompensated with my right arm and ended up swimming toward the opposite shore. 10 strokes later I was in the middle of nowhere and way off course. I spent the rest of the loop trying to find my way back on line. I was laughing out loud into the water. My swim fitness was pretty good. I didn't really have any shoulder fatigue. Quite pleased with how it went.
1500m 27:09 4th in age group 68th overall.
T1: very pleased with the first transition. I had put some Body Glide on my ankles and feet so the wetsuit came off without a hitch. 1:29
Bike:
While I was pretty happy with my result, I watched too many of my age group pass me on the bike. I have much to work on though I'm not sure how to go about it. It was a fairly challenging course for me but I'm sure the 1/2 iron will be harder. Rollers and lots of them. The sun was still behind the clouds so we were quite comfortable. Very early on I lost my gel flask I keep in my tri top pocket. I took a swig about 5k in and it squeezed out of its pocket onto the side of the road. I made a split second decision to leave it and race on. I felt I had enough with my pre race meal and snack and the gatorade I had. And there would be gatorade on the run if I needed it. There was one very bad stretch of road that lasted for several kilometres. Other than that and the frustration with seeing so many 45-49 year old men (and others!) pass me by, I had alot of fun on the bike and was happy with my average speed considering the hills and wind.
1:19:54 20th AG 132nd overall average speed: 32.7.
T2: 1:12.
Run:
By the time the run started the sun had burned through and it was getting quite warm. I wasn't sure I would have much in my tank for 10k and the way the run started I was becoming more and more sure I wouldn't. At about 2k my left shin was cramping or tightening or whatever but It was hurting. Lengthening my stride a bit and landing on the ball of my foot seemed to help and I actually started passing people who had passed me. (I;m pretty sure I need running technique lessons) and by 4k the pain had gone and I could pick up the pace. As in Milton each kilometer I was able to increase the pace a bit. I felt strong on the hills. I kept pushing myself and my legs responded.
8th AG 101 overall 46:30 for an average speed of 4:39/k
All in all a good race for me and very close to my goal. It does make me think my 1/2 iron distance goals are a little optimistic. If it's hilly I can't see me keeping that pace for 90k. I still have several weeks to gain some bike fitness so we'll see.
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