Kemah Tri Race Report

This past Sunday I awoke at 3:30 to make the trip down to Kemah to compete in the Kemah Tri (formally known as the Gateway to the Bay Triathlon). Last year I had a horrible swim and a weak race overall so I was looking for redemption. I went into the race knowing that my off season had focused on swimming and running, but with my hamstring injury I was unsure how well I would be able to run. So like all early season races this would be a good test of my fitness and help me prepare for my 70.3 the next weekend. Overall, I was the 3rd amateur and for the second time in my triathlon career, won some prize money, which is always exciting. Overall, I felt good but realized that running and running off the bike are two different things and I need to focus on the latter. Good to know for later this season. Otherwise I was happy with my results and had a great time. Read below if you want the race details.
Race Start:
Around 6 am the boat shoves off to the race start while jamming Katie Perry’s song “California Girls” which actually got me kind of pumped up for the race. The swim is a point to point from straight out in the middle of the bay to the shore. It was a 20 minute ride to the start, and after that I had another 10 minutes till the invitational wave start. The biggest issue I saw was that the boat captain was worried that everyone would gather on one side of the boat to watch the pro’s take off, causing the ship to capsize. So there were strict instructions for everyone to stay at their designated stations until it was there time to go. Well, I snuck over to watch the pro’s start and lots of others must have as well because I definitely felt this big paddle boat sway to one side as the start of the race got near. Luckily, it didn’t capsize. I’m curious if there were any pictures taken from the water of the boat leaning to one side. The next wave was the pro women, and then the invitational wave. While we were on the side of the boat, holding on with one leg hanging out over the water, I could help but think that this must be similar to someone about to jump out of an airplane. Looking around I noticed that some people had water running out the bottom of their wetsuit. I then realized it wasn’t water! Well, when you got to go, you got to go, so I joined in. Then the countdown started, 10, 9, 8, …2,1 Go! We were pretty spread out so there was not too much contact at the beginning. I settled into my rhythm and started my swim to shore. The water felt good, but there was a side current so that every time I tried to take a breath on my left side I typically ended up w/a mouth full of sea water. Last year it was impossible to see any bouys or sight where we were going, and the RD did a great job of changing that this year. I did a great job sighting and I felt good until the last 400m when I my form started to go and I was having a hard time sighting. At that point I started drafting off the legs of the nearest swimmer and just held on. My time on the swim was 23 something, which was good for me considering that the swim course was a little long.
Next came the bike course. Not much to say about that except it was flat and fast. I really just pushed it hard the whole way with no regards for what came next. This being the first tri of the season I really just wanted to see what my body was capable of. It paid off in a way. I rolled into transition as the first amateur athlete, with a time of 57 minutes on the bike. I thought that was a good time until I saw some of the pro’s bike splits. The fastest was a 52 minute bike split by the eventual winner (and several 54 minute splits). That’s where I need to get my bike times. Anyways, I get off the bike and am quickly passed in transition. I was 15 seconds behind 1st place. The first 2 miles on the run were painful. My leg turnover was slow (that’s what I get for doing ½ ironman bricks), as my legs wanted to ease into the run. At mile 3 my legs seemed to loosen up, but the speed was just not there. I tried to surge a couple of times but each time I got a reminder from my hamstring that I was not 100% and so I couldn’t run as freely as I normally would have. At mile 3 ½ I get passed by the eventual winner hauling on the run. I maintain my pace and just keep my sights on the person in front of me. The last two miles were an out and back over a bridge. On the uphill I start gaining ground on 2nd but just as I get close, he opens up another 15 second gap and I am unable to bridge the gap.
I finish in 2:01:45 seconds. Not bad considering the long transitions and swim, plus a slow run. Overall, I was happy with my time and the fact that my hamstring did not hurt while I was racing although it was tight. Afterwards, I got a massage and post race food and started my recovery for the Memorial Herman 70.3 next weekend.
Nutrition:
Breakfast: oatmeal, PB, banana, and coffee (400 cal)
Pre-race: power bar gummies and water (100 cal)
Bike: Accelerade, Gu x 1 (300 cals)
Run: Cliff shot bocks (2) (70 cals)