Run
Comments: This run went OK. I felt a little weak on some of the climbs and "power hiked" some spots a little more than I usually do. What would you do differently?: Maybe run a little more aggressively, since I ended up feeling really good on the bike. Transition 1
Comments: Too slow! I just had to change shoes, so I don't know what took so long. What would you do differently?: Move faster? Bike
Comments: This is a tough ride with lots of serious climbing, but I worry more about the descents, because I'm a big chicken. Especially the first descent, which is both steep and technical. Always very happy to get to the bottom. Don't know why I worry so much. I've always made it down no problem, even in the rainy years. I am very happy with my climbing. I climbed really well, passed one guy on the first climb, and passed a few more on the second big climb. Did better on the second big descent which is much less curvy, but I still didn't just let myself go. What would you do differently?: Stop being a chicken? Transition 2
Comments: Slow, but not bad. There's plenty of climbing the last few miles of the bike, so I need to catch my breath. Run
Comments: Second run is always tough, because by now my quads are getting tired, and you still have to go up and down the side of the mountain a couple of times. First couple of miles were hard, but then I seemed to get into a groove. Around mile 3 I realized I had a chance of meeting my goal of going under 4 hours, so it was time to push myself. Mile 3-4 is mostly steep down hill on wide carriage trails, so it's a great spot to pick up some time. There were a few people in front of me I was able to catch, so that was some extra motivation. Around mile 4 you hit some single track again. I power hiked the uphill parts, and then I was running pretty fast downhill. I was figuring in my head what I would have to do to break 4 hours, guess I wasn't focusing on the trail, and boom, tripped over a rock or root, and fell. Nice shoulder roll, rolled over once, and laid there for a few seconds. Felt like everything hurt, especially this weird stabbing pain in my upper left abdomen just below my ribs. Realized I wasn't bleeding or anything, so I said out loud, "Get up, weenie." Well, I said something a little more vulgar than weenie, so luckily no one was around to hear me. I did get up, managed to finish strong, and beat my goal of 4 hours. Wouldn't you know; all that worrying about crashing on the bike, and I end up crashing on the run. What would you do differently?: Not fall? Post race
Warm down: Pain in my abdomen went away, so I was able to enjoy my post race watermelon, chili, burgers and beer. Outstanding! What limited your ability to perform faster: Slow, don't train enough, and I'm getting older. Event comments: A great race. I will be back every year for as long as I can keep running and riding. Last updated: 2014-01-18 12:00 AM
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Overall Rank = 45/67
Age Group = M 55-59
Age Group Rank = 2/3
This is a great event, and I am lucky to live less than 45 minutes away. Small, low key, beautiful scenery, and a really challenging course. Not too many BT'ers do it , but it is pretty popular over on Slowtwitch, and the multi page pre race smack talk thread is always entertaining.
I have to say that the people who do the long course (5,84,15, with 3 loops of the bike course, and 3 loops of the run course for the 2nd run), are incredible athletes. The middle distance is F1 format with distances of 5,29,5,29,5, but that is still beyond my ability.
The usual shake about 2 hours before. Instead of my usual "5 hour energy" I had a cup of coffee with cream about 45 minutes before.
It was low fifties and sunny at the start, so I just needed tri shorts and jersey. Nice change from last years heavy rain.
About a 1/4 mile of easy running.