login
Ironman 70.3 Augusta
-
No new posts
Ironman 70.3 Augusta - Triathlon1/2 Ironman
View Member's Race Log View other race reports
 Swim
Comments: The announcer said the current was not nearly as fast as it was last year, but I dunno, it seemed like it was certainly moving to me. I started at the front of this wave, and got melee'd back to my "ideal" spot. I've found this a better solution than starting back too far and having to battle people kicking. I quickly found some feet and had a very uneventful swim... every minute or so I'd stick my head up to make sure we were on course, but honestly it would have been very tough to get off course. It did seem like we were pretty close to the shore (too close for the fastest part of the current) but I decided it was better just to sit and draft than it was to break out on my own. About 1k to the swim exit we ran into some very thick "seaweed" (whatever you call it in a river) which was a bit gross, but no big deal (or so I thought) I was looking at 35min going in, so when I saw 27' on my watch I knew it was going to be a good day. What would you do differently?: Obviously, I'm still no fish. This course certainly suited me in that regard. If I do Augusta again, I'd like to find some people who stick towards the middle of the river to draft off of ;)  Transition 1
Comments: The run up the ramp and into transition was extremely long. (the entire length of the transition area) and I had to dodge the wetsuit stripper pile up. I had cut about 1.5" off the legs of my wetsuit prior to the race and it made a huge difference getting it off fast, I highly suggest it! As I'm pulling my left leg out my calf cramps!! OUCH. I shake it off fast and keep moving. Helmet on sunglasses on Out the door. Had to dodge a few people all over the course, but finally got into my shoes and down to business, calf being a PITA all the way. What would you do differently?: It seemed to go well. Still have no idea why my calf cramped like that though.  Bike
Comments: This was the first time my bike ride has ever been a "controlled" thing. Generally I just ride...hard. The goal at Augusta was to stay in the neighborhood of 200watts, and around 270-300 for the climbs. The first 10 miles or so this was very easy as I was fighting with my calf cramp along with the miles of people lined up. I spent this time making sure I was getting my calories in and massaging my leg. Eventually the crowds started thinning and my calf gave me some relief. Any time my watts climbed over 230w I would sit up on the bullhorns, just to stretch / grab a drink. The rest of the time I spent in Aero. At about mile 15 I was having a new issue. Severe pain in my crotch. I tried to push through it, but it was not subsiding and I was becoming quite worried. Finally I sat up on a downhill and reached down to see what the issue was. I pull my hand out with a fist full of that stupid seaweed! WTF! I try to wash my junk with my water bottle and clean up the situation. I got enough of it to make life tolerable the rest of the ride. I was hoping for a 2:33 and ended up with a 2:27, and never felt like I left my comfort zone doing it, so I would call it a good day. Avg. Watts: 191 Max. Watts: 532 NP: 206 What would you do differently?: Position and aero goodies did what they were supposed to do (that is, make me faster than I should be on paper) but at a certain point (soon) I'm going to have to get stronger on the bike as well. Transition 2
Comments: Coming into T2 crossed some covered train tracks and otherwise rough pavement. I was about to swing my leg over the saddle when I remembered my cramps earlier in the day... I came to a full stop and stepped over, losing a second or two but saving my dignity. (What there is of it to save that is) Otherwise T2 was pretty uneventful. Again, I did have to run the entire length of transition to get out. (same as the swim but reversed) What would you do differently?: Can't think of anything!  Run
Comments: And here we were. 13 miles to the finish, two hours to beat my goal of sub 5. I come out of the gates just a bit hot (pun intended) but quickly slow down to a more tolerable 7:3x pace. The first three miles go pretty well and I am feeling fairly comfortable. Then, like a scene from a movie, the sky parts (it had been fairly overcast all day) and the sun beams down in all its glorious suffering. The heat pretty much skyrockets into the 90's and I immediately feel it. The aid stations on the run were also not exactly a mile apart, so after I miss getting a drink at mile 3 (I was throwing water on myself as opposed to down my throat) I can feel myself burning out. At 4.5 or so I can feel my left leg throbbing a bit in the back area, so I decide to stop and stretch it out. TERRIBLE idea, as soon as I stop and lift my left leg my calf balls up on itself and very nearly puts me on the ground. I get that worked out and decide that stopping is a bad idea in general. New plan - Walk every aid station and make sure to get 1 coke and 1 water (plus as much Ice as I can pack onto myself / under my hat) At one point I have 5 sponges shoved in my tri suit. At mile 8 I start feeling considerably better, but continue to walk through the aid stations. I see that I can very nearly walk the last 3 miles and still beat 4:52, but press on. I do take some extra time at the last aid station to "clean myself up" (Zip up my jersey, remove the sponges, clean coke off my face) and try to make myself look presentable at the finish line. I come into the finish with a last surge and stop my watch (after pictures of course) at 4:46ish... I'm pretty exstatic as you can imagine! Planned Run was 1:40 and I came in at 1:44. With some of the small issues I had leading up to and during the race I can't say I'm unhappy with it, but I can't help but think if I had had a good run today I would almost certainly have been going to Vegas. Run splits per mile 1.) 7:23 2.) 7:43 3.) 7:07 4.) 8:14 (started walking aid stations) 5.) 8:21 6 & 7.) 16:28 8.) 8:01 9.) 8:03 10.) 8:21 11.) 7:47 12.) 8:47 13.) 8:18 What would you do differently?: I'm still not a runner... that is the sad truth of it. I also possibly made some sketchy choices (maybe could have went faster through the aid stations or pushed the pace a bit when I started feeling good) This winter I will become a better runner. Post race
Warm down: I quickly got checked out in medical (they shipped me over there despite me telling them I just "LOOKED" like crap. The medics seemed to agree and quickly got rid of me) Next it was over to the recovery area, where I graciously accepted a Bud Light, well deserved IMO. Next I found the family and we watched some more of the race, then walked across the street to BEEMIES (sp?) bar/restraunt and had lunch (Great food btw) Post race binge - - 1 order onion rings - 2 order french fries - 1 crab cake - 1 appetizer fried calamari - Appetizer platter dinner (Shrimp, Chicken fingers, Fried Fish, Oysters) - 1 Bowl Ice cream - 2 Pitcher Water I also waited around at the rolldown, but being only 2 slots in my AG and me being 13th I knew there wasn't much hope. Nonetheless it rolled down about 6 people... enough that it would have been mine with a 1:36 or so run... well within my fitness on a flat course :/ Oh well. What limited your ability to perform faster: Getting too worked up on my training run a week out... it was stupid and I knew it when I did it. I also let my mind get the best of me on the run when I was feeling like crap... have to work through that to get to the next level. Event comments: The only complaints I can make about this race (and the only thing keeping it from a 5 imo) is the aid station setup. On the bike I felt like 1 more would have made it a ton easier on somebody like me who only really carries one replacable bottle. (I didn't miss any handups, but if I had I would have been in very real trouble) On the run the aid stations were a bit uneven. You would run a quarter of a mile from one aid station to the next, but then there wouldn't be another station for over a mile. I think on 1/2 and full marathons having one evenly every mile really helps break up the pain. Nonetheless, it was a great race, well marked (and blocked off) course and very well staffed/supported. Last updated: 2011-08-16 12:00 AM
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
{postbutton}
 2011-09-26 3:26 PM |
Champion  7136     Knoxville area |  Subject: Ironman 70.3 Augusta |
| 2011-09-26 8:44 PM in reply to: #3701018 |
 Bronze member | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta I don't know what to congratulate you for first, a great race or surviving that post race binge! So happy it all came together for you in this race |
. | 2011-09-26 9:10 PM in reply to: #3701393 |
Extreme Veteran 516 Chicago | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta Definitely looks like it turned out to be a great day! Congrats on an awesome race, I enjoyed the RR! |
| 2011-09-26 11:40 PM in reply to: #3701443 |
Champion 7233 | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta Nice job man, I think it was you putting up with me all those early mornings, not the other way around;-) |
| 2011-09-27 8:15 AM in reply to: #3701018 |
Champion 9600 Fountain Hills, AZ | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta Outstanding work, Jedi. That's a very tidy bike split. Find an early season 70.3 next year and go grab a Vegas slot, |
| 2011-09-27 10:52 AM in reply to: #3701018 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta Big Bouncy Pink CONGRATULATIONS {{{MELON PRESS}}} Wow, I teared up at your RR (just 'cause I read my name at the beginning Thank YOU. Not only are you superdude around here and BT's beloved rising (risen) star, but you keep it real and keep giving back. Seaweed crotch. Ha ha ha. You are too a runner. |
)| 2011-09-27 10:53 AM in reply to: #3701018 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta Big Bouncy Pink CONGRATULATIONS {{{MELON PRESS}}} Wow, I teared up at your RR (just 'cause I read my name at the beginning Thank YOU. Not only are you superdude around here and BT's beloved rising (risen) star, but you keep it real and keep giving back. Seaweed crotch. Ha ha ha. You are too a runner. |
| 2011-09-27 10:54 AM in reply to: #3701018 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta ^^^ just needed to post one for each melon, I guess. A guy who's trained so frickin' much and hard and has gotten so smokin' fast deserves double congrats, anyway. |
| 2011-09-27 11:49 AM in reply to: #3701018 |
Elite 3315 Miami | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta HOLY CHIT chris. 4:45. you are a flippin animal. |
| 2011-09-27 11:52 AM in reply to: #3701018 |
Expert 1310 Alabama | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta Thanks!! Great race for you also!! Looks like you put together a great one and a great race report. |
| 2011-09-27 2:04 PM in reply to: #3701018 |
| Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta Nice race! I'd love to have that kind of efficiency on the bike. |
| 2011-09-27 6:57 PM in reply to: #3701018 |
Expert 977 | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta |
| 2011-09-27 7:23 PM in reply to: #3701018 |
| Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta |
| 2011-09-27 7:43 PM in reply to: #3702846 |
Champion 7136 Knoxville area | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta tri808 - 2011-09-27 8:23 PM Awesome job. Any idea how that seaweed got in your shorts with a wet suit on?
not really... I suppose it could have something to do with it being a 2 piece?? Doesn't seem likely but neither does getting that junk in there :/ Possibly just accidentily "burped" my suit when sighting or during contact. Sorry haha, no good answer to that one. |
| 2011-09-28 6:06 AM in reply to: #3701018 |
Champion 7233 | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta there you go stuffing your shorts again |
| 2011-09-28 10:00 AM in reply to: #3703143 |
Regular 75 | Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta Great job man! |
| 2011-09-28 1:30 PM in reply to: #3701018 |
| Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Augusta I guess it's just the new definition of racing with junk in your trunks. |
| General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
{postbutton}
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
90F / 32C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 104/3179
Age Group = m25-29
Age Group Rank = 13/189
First let me put in my shout outs. All kinds of people deserve thanks, Bryan, Trigal, TriAya, Rudedog, Trix, Lockout, Shane, all the people who have been in my mentor groups, anyone who has answered any of my stupid questions... It would take a whole page to thank all you guys on BT and ST. Beyond that my LBS Cycology bicycles and my fitter Eddie Sloan, who's worked with me for countless hours on my position.
Also my best friend Wes who has to listen to me talk about triathlon 24/7.
David, who's not just the only man I've ever met paler than I am, but also a fantastic coach and friend who has to listen to me whine.
Finally, my family, especially my mom, who doubles duty as moral support, mechanic, Medic, cook, driver, etc. Anyways, that's enough of the gushy stuff, on to the meat and potatoes.
Getting to Augusta has been a bit challenging. My first two "A" races this year have been pretty disasterous as DNF's (Flatting out at Rev3 Knx and going off course at Amica 19.7) so I was a bit hungry to show I could perform. A week or so ago, I got a little overzealous on my run and ended up doing "something" to my back/butt/left leg. It basically put me to a super easy taper and quite a bit of doubt as to how I was going to hold up on race day. My goals were set up like this
worst case scenario - finish (I really wanted to avoid a DNF)
meh day - 5:05 or better
happy day - sub 5:00
good day - 4:52
great day - anything below that
I arrived in town midday Friday to our hotel in Aiken. After we dropped off the essentials it was a quick drive over to Augusta Marriot to get signed in, then to scope out swim start and transition. I ended up walking (in sandals no less) quite a bit farther than I expected to / should have. Most of the day Saturday I spent laying around besides setting up transition and driving the bike course. My grandparents and dad arrived later in the afternoon, and while my family went out for the night I walked across the street to Applebees, had dinner and went to bed early. (About 7pm)
I got up Sunday at 3:15a.m. took a shower, had breakfast and coffee, took care of the essentials and got the rest of the car packed up. I was feeling pretty good overall, my ankles were a bit sore from walking around in sandals friday, but no big deal. I set up the rest of Transition, jumped the bus to swim start, and waited around there until they started calling for my wave (wave5, second half of men 25-29) Jumped in the water, and had to make an effort to stay behind the start bouys. It began raining while we were waiting to start, but just sprinkled and had stopped before I got out of the water.