10.29.17
Take 2.Last year, this was to be my 1st 70.3 ever...with a swim cancelled due to heavy fog, it became a 69.1.
2016 race report here: https://riderunrepeat.blogspot.com/2016/11/austin-703-2016.html
After feeling a bit cheated by last year's race, I was back to conquer the course. I had a decent understanding of what to expect: 1) straightforward swim 2) hilly bike 3) hot, hilly, shitty run.
I felt only "okay" about my training for this one. I had not been running consistently, had been Zwifting on the trainer (higher intensity, albeit shorter rides), and, I had a few open water swims in the weeks leading up to the event. I figured I'd be okay on the swim and bike, and, would likely be slow-ish on the run. That said, I was targeting 6:30 as a finish time. I figured a 45 minute swim, an ambitious 3 hour bike (18.7 mph), 2:30 run, with 15 minutes for transitions.
The week of the race, I took my bike it for a quick tune up. When I went to retrieve it on Thursday, there was a crack in the frame. I rolled it back in and pointed it out. My contact, James, was out until Friday. When I connected with him on Friday, he said it was okay to race, but, the interaction him left me uneasy, as, he basically called me a liar and brushed off responsibility or the severity of the crack. I left the shop and town pretty aggravated. Update: Cervelo is shipping an new frame.
Lindsi and I broke the kids out of school early on Friday and headed towards Austin. We arrived a the Expo at 5, and. much like last year, breezed through PPU. I picked up a few items from the IM store and chatted with a few buddies that were there. We headed t the hotel to get settled, and, then, joined a big group at Pinthouse Pizza...a perfect Race weekend meal.
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel, as I would have shake out swim and bike the next day. as well as bike check in. I struggled with sleep on Friday, as the bike situation was weighing heavy on my mind. I felt like I was fighting a cold too...lot's of vitamin C was consumed the rest of the weekend.
I was up and out the door on Saturday for shake outs and bike check in. The temps had turned cold, and, would be even colder for race morning. We arrived to a windy day and choppy lake. I got in a 300 yard swim and decided I had enough. No reason to fight the chop on a shake out. I'd get to do plenty of swimming on Sunday.
I hopped on the bike with a couple of buddies and rode to T2 and back...only about 3.5 miles. The bike was not shifting smoothly...more frustration with the bike shop was mounting. I checked in the bike, retrieved the family from the hotel, and met the Shit Show for brunch.
We headed back to the hotel to prep gear for Sunday and chill out for a bit. Lindsi was kind enough to take the boys to the park for a bit to give me some chill out time.
The club met for dinner at Gustavo. A little pasta to fill the belly for Sunday, and, then back to the hotel for bed.
I had another tough night of sleep on Saturday, but, was up and at 'em early. Lindsi and the boys were troopers, as it was 39 degrees when we left the hotel at 5:15. It would be a long, cold day for them.
I was able to get T2 prepped and board the bus with the fam for T1 / swim start.
Quick T2 setup, including air in tires (thanks Jan!), and the cold wait would begin for the race.
The Swim would be self seeded based in expected finish time. After a few picures with racing buddies, I found a home in the 43-45 minute are with Remi, Jan, and Tanner.
It was crazy cold waiting for the swim, but, some good laughs were shared with friends as we inched closer and closer to the water.
at 8:20, we hit the water. The water temp was actually a relief, as it was 30 degrees warmer than the air temp. My plan was "slow and steady". My swim training had decreased since BSL 70.3, and, I was feeling no need to push on the swim. I stopped briefly at the 1st kayak to empty water out of my goggles, and then off I went. The swim course was clockwise, with buoys to our right. Realizing that I only breathe to my right, sighting was easy, but, the sun was also rising in that direction, leading to some glare. I was breathing every 2 strokes, rather than my normal 4, and felt good. With the self seeded swim start, there was some space between swimmers, so the contact was minimal. When we passed the turn buoy, we were looking directly into the sun, making the glare difficult to deal with. Fortunately, this was the shortest "side" of the swim course, and, soon, we turned back towards the shore. Just after the turn buoy, the contact started, there would be a fair amount of bumping the rest of the way. Additionally, I was feeling a little cramping in my foot. Soon enough, I reached the shore, got my wetsuit stripped, saw Lindsi and the boys, and headed up the hill into T1. I wouldn't realize until later that my new wetsuit had rubbed my neck raw...note to self...body glide...
My swim was a slow 51:57, but, based on Strava, I'd also extended my swim by about 150 yards.
I planned to take my time in T1, as it was cold outside, and the bike would be miserable without extra clothing. I took time to dry off, put on arm warmers and gloves. I put on a vest too, but, removed it before heading out, as I thought it would be too hot. I drank a hot shot to help with cramping and headed towards the mount line. I was 11:23 in T1, but, not bothered by the extended stay. I was ready to hit the bike.
There's no denying the fact that this bike route is hard. Lots of climbing, shitty road surfaces, etc. That said, I was targeting a very ambitious 3 hours for the ride (18.66 mph). I did the course in 3:15 last year, and, with the new bike, recent Zwift training, and a forecast for no wind, felt like I could be better. I had a decent 18.2 mph pace for the 1st 5 miles, and felt good. I figured it would be a solid day. Just before mile 10, I noticed that my rear tool bag was coming loose. I'd lost one of these bags and the gear inside it at Disco X50. I was not willing to lose another one. I stopped and worked for a few minutes to get it secured. I suspect I lost 3-4 minutes. Back on the road and a solid 5 mile split from mile 10 - 15 at 19.5 mph. Then the hills and significant wind picked up. The rest of the ride would be a struggle. I was taking in nutrition, but, felt zapped by the wind. By mile 30 I was having some saddle discomfort and cramping. I pulled over at one of the rest stops to refill my aero bottle and my right quad completely locked up. I suspect I was there 10 minutes trying to stretch it out. And, the hills kept on coming. I actually considered turning in my timing chip, but, didn't want to quit with my biggest fans, Griffin and Gage there to support. I fought hard to finish the bike and hated every second of it. I put up a pathetic 3:39:21 (15.26 mph). Had I not stopped at all, I still would have been at 3:27:45 (16.17 mph). yuck.
I walked the bike into T2, shed the arm warmers, changed shoes, hat, and glasses, had a hot shot, and headed out: 4:50:14. An improvement over my T2 time of 6:48 in 2016, and, perhaps, the only bright spot for the day.
As per usual, I figured I would walk hills and water stops, and run flats and downhills. This slow movement continued for all 13.1, but, I mustered up the energy to run past the club tent each time. I got a great amount of support from the club, Lindsi, and the boys.
I laughed with Alex, Sheila and the bunch each time I passed.
I noticed Jan struggling a bit (I'd seen him on the side of the road on the bike course as well with cramps). On the 3rd loop, he wasn't too terribly far behind. My race and day were already shot, and, it seemed as if he needed some encouragement. I stopped on the last loop and waited for him, so we could run in together. He caught up and we headed in slowly. We crossed the line together, in a pathetic 7:40. More than an hour slower than my target time.
It had been a shitty day on a shitty course. Box checked, but, I would not want to return. My run was a slow 2:50, 6 minutes slower than a shitty run a year ago. Not much good to say about this race other than it's done. That said, I couldn't be more grateful for FWTRI, my tribe, and most importantly, Lindsi and the boys. Time to embrace the offseason for a bit and then train for IMTX. I raced much of this season heavy and out of shape. That needs to change for 2018...
Remi and Lexy crushed their 1st 70.3's. They trained hard and it showed. I was proud of the crew for racing hard in tough conditions...
heres to the offseason!
