3 weeks ago, after finishing the PlayTri Festival Sprint, and, more specifically, my 2nd OWS ever, I signed up for this race. I'm hoping to force myself to become more comfortable with OWS.
I opted for the sprint distance, as I plan to increase OWS distances late in the summer as I prep for Auston 70.3. Turns out the sprint distance would be a good thing. More on that in a minute.
My training over the past 3 weeks has sucked. I had a week of sickness, a week where Lindsi was out of town, and a busy week at work. Additionally, my diet has continued to be poor. I did ramp up my swimming last week, swimming 3 days. Outside of that, only a 5k last Sunday and a slow 4 miler on Thursday. No bike time since PlayTri, 3 weeks ago. My weight is averaging 202 - 205. about 10 lbs. over my comfortable racing weight. I'm in much the same position that I was this time last year. Last year, the cleanse and increased racing schedule really helped.
My Tri Bike issue, while close to being resolved, it appears, is still not done, so, I would be on the road bike again today.
This event, in its 15th year, is coordinate by Dallas Athletes Racing. It takes place at Lake Ray Roberts, about an hour and 10 minute drive from home. It hosts about 700 athletes and has the following distances: Sprint (500Y OWS, 16.1 mile bike, 5k run), Olympic (1 mile OWS, 24.1 mile bike, 10k run), and, X50 (1 mile OWS, 40 mile bike, 9 mile run). They also added a X50 aquabike option this year.
I woke up at 4 this morning, ate some oatmeal, showered, loaded up gear, and left by 5. Transition was to be open 5:45 - 6:45, with the race starting at 7. Packet pick up was allowed on race day for FW residents, so, I needed to get that done as well.
I made it to the race site by 6, and waited in a LONG line of cars to get parked. I picked up my packet and got my gear together to get transition set up. The clock was, and I was feeling anxious, as I was running out of time to get everything done by the 6:45 cutoff. I noticed that the parking lot that housed transition was made of SHARP gravel. It would be an uncomfortable surface heading into T1. By the time I finished setting up, It was 6:40, I had my wetsuit on, etc, and was unable to stop for a bathroom break pre-race. This would lead to an uncomfortable day.
I headed down to the beach to check out the swim start. While the sprint distance looked short enough to be comfortable, the water was incredibly choppy. Nothing like the clam water at PlayTri. I heard some people commenting on it before the race, but, I didn't have much of a frame of reference, as this was only my 3rd OWS to date.
The sprint distance men were the 1st waves, with 39 and under going 1st, and 40 and up going 2nd. Each wave would have a beach mass start. My 1st time for that. When the horn sounded for our wave, I headed into the water, walked as long as I could, and finally started swimming. The waves sucked. each breath would lead to a face full of lake water. I was drinking lake water most breaths. That, coupled with the bumping, kicking, etc, would lead to tough swim. I made it to the 1st buoy, finally, and made the turn. the crowd thinned a little at that point, and I continued the combination of freestyle, breaststroke, and sidestroke. I finally made the 2nd turn and headed back towards the shore. the waves continued to be a challenge, but, finally, I reached a point where I could stand. I unzipped my wetsuit, and, pulled it down to my waist. The wetsuit strippers did the rest. Even with the tough conditions, I wasn't terrible in the water. Official results show me at 11:37, or, 2:19 HM.
Off to T1. I walked much of the path to catch my breath and to take it easy on the sharp gravel. I got my cycling shoes, helmet, and sunglasses on and headed out on the bike. I felt ok on the bike, but, it was clear that I had not been riding enough lately. I passed several cyclists, but, also got passed by several of the fast girls, whose wave started just after ours. This course had a few tough hills. I pushed to the end. I certainly wasn't fast, but, I was 1 mph faster tan at PlayTri. Getting the Tri Bike back, getting it dialed in, and increasing my saddle time should help.
Off to T2. A quick change of shoes and hat, and off for the run. My legs felt dead as I headed out. I was hoping for a good run pace, but, I was tired. I walked a few water stops, and tried to push at the end. But, still slow. 9:54 a mile per Strava due to 2.9 miles booked, but 9:35 in official results. I need to be in the mid to upper 8's as the season progresses.
I finished up and finally got to have a restroom break.
Glad to have this one done. As expected, I'm still one of the slower guys in my AG. I ended 14 of 18 in the AG and, 82 of 131 for all Male Sprint Athletes.
I stayed for a few hours after my race to visit with some FWTri club buddies and cheer for those completing longer distances.
A good event. I'll definitely be back.
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