The course:
Although the course was similar, there were a few changes. The swim was still 2 loops but instead of swimming in an east to west direction, we swam in a north to south. This was to avoid swimming with the sun in your eyes, but according to some of the other athletes and from looking at the swim times, it may have added an extra 100m to the course. The bike course changed from a 2 loop out and back to a 2 loop course with an interesting 2 hairpin loop within the loop, which meant you had to be able to handle your bike around the sharp corners. Finally, the run course, for all I could tell was the same as last year which included the run up and down Berry Stadium.
The Race:
I've noticed that a race really starts the day before the race, so thats where I'll start this report. After packet pick up and discussing race strategy w/Muddy I headed back home for an early dinner and to prepare for the race. As I'm getting into bed, I realize I forget to print off my VIP parking pass. So I go and print it off, and as I'm doing so I read that it must be on orange paper or else they wont allow you to park. Of course I dont have any orange paper, but I do have an orange crayon. So here I am at 11pm coloring a piece of paper orange. Sarah thought this was very amusing. Then it was off to bed. Race morning I went through my normal pre-race routine and before I knew it I was at the starting line. I got a good draft off one of my pals that I've been swimming with lately, but I could only hold on for about 200m. Then I joined in the first swim pack. I tried to hold on, but by the end of the first loop, I was swimming on my own. I caught one of the later waves on my second loop, which meant I had to bob and weave through the pack, but utimately I got through with little contact other swimmers. I didn't have a clue where I was compared to others when I came out of the swim, and it wasn't until I was leaving T1 that I learned that I was 1:40 off the lead. On the bike, I am in my element. I just put my head down and get to work. I knew there were some strong runners in the field so I wanted to put as much distance between me and them on the bike. On the first lap I gained a minute on 1st. The second loop I was unable to catch 1st, but I ended up leaving T2 only ten seconds back. Those first few minutes on the run were tough. My legs were struggling to turn over, and I was slowly watching 1st place gain some distance between us. Again, I felt myself drawing upon some of my training, putting my head down, and pushing forward. It had been progressively getting hotter, more humid, and windier as the day went on, but for once I felt like my hydration and nutrition were spot on. At mile 5 I got passed by the only person who would pass me all day. This was a real accomplishment for me, since I usually give up time on the run, and I do have to admit that I did take a couple of quick glances over my shoulder the last mile to see if I could see any other runners closing in on me. Thankfully, there weren't and so it was a race to beat the clock. I came in in just under 2hrs. The 3rd place finish put me up on the podium and guaranteed my spot as the overall TX3 Series Champion. This was the first time I got to be up on the podium throughout the whole series, and one of the large novelty checks. In fact, I am still partially in shock of it all, but it just goes to show that in the end hard work and consistency pay off. I was so happy to have Sarah there supporting me, along with my coach, and everybody from OUL. It's really motivated me to train harder and set my sights higher, because you never know what will happen. Thanks again to all the volunteers and OnUrMark and OnUrLeft for putting on such a great race and series, and to all my family, friends, sponsors, and teammates for all the support.
Houston Tri Pics
0 comments:
Post a Comment