Today we made our way over to Egg Harbor, WI to participate in the Door County Triathlon. The race started at 8:00 with waves of 50 or so every 3 minutes. I agree 100% with 8AM start times – much better than those 7AM times.
While setting up my transition, Tri-Bob made his way over to say hi – it was very nice to meet him after reading his blog for a while now. I felt great overall and was ready for the day.
Swim
I took my normal starting position for the swim at the back of the wave. The water temps were around 65 degrees and it was actually much colder closer to shore than out on the swim course. The day before, the waves on the Bay where probably 2 footers with some 3 footers here and there – that would not have been fun. Today the Bay was basically flat. My plan was to just swim the course at my own pace and enjoy the swim for once. The course was very well lined with bright orange buoys – it made sighting very easy. I’m not sure why all tri’s do not use more buoys, it just made it so much easier. I just kept my pace and actually enjoyed the swim. The only problem was dealing with the swimmers doing the side stroke or back stroke – I have no problems with them, but I just wish they weren’t around me.
Bike
After a forever transition (don’t try to put on a tight IronMan bike jersey when your belly is wet, just doesn’t want to go on), I was comfortably on the bike. The nice thing with coming out of the water towards the end of your wave is the fact that I tend to catch and pass more people on the bike that way. I’m not sure why, but I’m actually getting pretty good on the bike. At first I was passed by a couple bikers, but after mile 5 I had no one pass me and I passed many many bikes. For some reason, my legs will just pedal and pedal and I don’t get tired. I keep my cadence around 80 and it seems like I can go on forever.
Around mile marker 28, I noticed that if I kept the same pace – I would finish the bike ride under 3hrs. Well, thinking that I had done around a 45 minute swim (turned out to be 47) and a transition in less than 10 minutes (hopefully) – well I had a real shot at a sub 6 hour Half-IronMan. So, I kept up the pace and ended the bike ride in 2:57 – I’m now in reach of the sub-6 hr.
Run
Knowing that the sub-6 hour might be possible, I concentrated on my transition and hurried to the run. Surprisingly, after PRing on the bike, I had my run legs right from the start. I forced my mind into the mode of, don’t get wimpy and miss the sub 6 hour by a little bit. So, I kept up a good pace (forgot my Garmin). Around 10 miles into the run I remember thinking to myself that I in fact was in Great shape and feeling great. Well, after attempting the “bluff” hill – my stomach went south and I was forced to walk/run the rest of the way. I can get my mind to get past just about anything, but when it comes to a stomach that is about to come undone – there was nothing I could do.
While setting up my transition, Tri-Bob made his way over to say hi – it was very nice to meet him after reading his blog for a while now. I felt great overall and was ready for the day.
Swim
I took my normal starting position for the swim at the back of the wave. The water temps were around 65 degrees and it was actually much colder closer to shore than out on the swim course. The day before, the waves on the Bay where probably 2 footers with some 3 footers here and there – that would not have been fun. Today the Bay was basically flat. My plan was to just swim the course at my own pace and enjoy the swim for once. The course was very well lined with bright orange buoys – it made sighting very easy. I’m not sure why all tri’s do not use more buoys, it just made it so much easier. I just kept my pace and actually enjoyed the swim. The only problem was dealing with the swimmers doing the side stroke or back stroke – I have no problems with them, but I just wish they weren’t around me.
Bike
After a forever transition (don’t try to put on a tight IronMan bike jersey when your belly is wet, just doesn’t want to go on), I was comfortably on the bike. The nice thing with coming out of the water towards the end of your wave is the fact that I tend to catch and pass more people on the bike that way. I’m not sure why, but I’m actually getting pretty good on the bike. At first I was passed by a couple bikers, but after mile 5 I had no one pass me and I passed many many bikes. For some reason, my legs will just pedal and pedal and I don’t get tired. I keep my cadence around 80 and it seems like I can go on forever.
Around mile marker 28, I noticed that if I kept the same pace – I would finish the bike ride under 3hrs. Well, thinking that I had done around a 45 minute swim (turned out to be 47) and a transition in less than 10 minutes (hopefully) – well I had a real shot at a sub 6 hour Half-IronMan. So, I kept up the pace and ended the bike ride in 2:57 – I’m now in reach of the sub-6 hr.
Run
Knowing that the sub-6 hour might be possible, I concentrated on my transition and hurried to the run. Surprisingly, after PRing on the bike, I had my run legs right from the start. I forced my mind into the mode of, don’t get wimpy and miss the sub 6 hour by a little bit. So, I kept up a good pace (forgot my Garmin). Around 10 miles into the run I remember thinking to myself that I in fact was in Great shape and feeling great. Well, after attempting the “bluff” hill – my stomach went south and I was forced to walk/run the rest of the way. I can get my mind to get past just about anything, but when it comes to a stomach that is about to come undone – there was nothing I could do.
I ended the day with a 6:03 Half-IronMan -- my previous best was 6:19.
Even though I had a stomach problem at the end, I had a great day. This is what I learned today:
1. I’m in pretty darn good shape
2. My bike has improved greatly
3. My swim has improved
4. My run still feels good
5. Don’t have GU on the run, stick to Perpetuem
6. I actually have a sub 6 hour Half-IronMan in my body – maybe??
Great day (outside of the freaken stomach issue) – great race – highly recommended…
Even though I had a stomach problem at the end, I had a great day. This is what I learned today:
1. I’m in pretty darn good shape
2. My bike has improved greatly
3. My swim has improved
4. My run still feels good
5. Don’t have GU on the run, stick to Perpetuem
6. I actually have a sub 6 hour Half-IronMan in my body – maybe??
Great day (outside of the freaken stomach issue) – great race – highly recommended…
6 comments:
Congrats on what sounds like a great day! I did as you said and NAILED the swim at Racine. Sounds like you did the same! My full race report starts tomorrow.
Pat Gallagher
There is NO MAYBE about it! You could easily do a sub 6 hour.
Without the stomach issues, you'd have done it no problem.
Just dial in that nutrition and you're golden.
Congrats! Way to knock one out of the park!!! You are definitely ready for Louisville...not long now...
very nice work!
How did you get 65 degrees up there? Racine was the cold spot of L. Mich. yesterday.
-jwm
Kickass dude - great work out there killing your previous best. Sounds like the whole family had a solid weekend. Well done!
Way to go, what a race. Definitely a sub 6 in you.
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