Swim
Comments: I know Jack always states that his courses are accurate and he even said this one was short (1490 vs 1500 meters). However, the swim times were not very good overall. My race started ok as I seeded myself in the middle and the front. I got off well and settled in fairly quickly. However, I soon noticed that I didn't have any power when pulling through the water. It was like I was too weak to pull powerfully through the water. I had never felt that way and it worried me to feel tired that soon in a race. I kept going and going and going and finally, after feeling like I had been treading water instead of swimming, I exited the swim at 28 minutes. That was a good 4-6 minutes slower than usual. What would you do differently?: I honestly don't know. I had good form and a great line but no energy to pull through the water. Transition 1
Comments: Slow jog into T1 after the swim as I was thinking about why I felt so tired. Into transition and I realized that my bike shoes were still in my bag and not rubberbanded in the clips, like usual. I really was not into the race mentally. 1st: my pump and adapter, 2nd: Not setting up T1 properly, 3rd: blowing the swim... What would you do differently?: Set-up T1 completely Bike
Comments: I was really excited about doing this bike course as it suits my style of riding well. However, upon exiting the park, I noticed that I still did not have any energy and I could not accelerate when I wanted to get going. So, I started the gearing in an easier gear and brought my cadence up to 100rpm's and tried to just build up to speed. I was able to hold a 20 mph speed as I got around the first turn but just could not get out of the saddle and push a bigger gear. I could not figure out what was happening or why I felt so weak. It was like you feel when you are recovering from the flu. I could peddle and move but I could not push the pace. At mile 10 I was seriously considering quiting the race and going to the race doctors to see if I had something serious. I thought about this until I saw a major wreck and figured that the doctor would be busy and I didn't want to DNF my first race just because I didn't feel good. Besides, I wondered if I would not get any credit for the race in the 3 part series if I DNF'd. So, I kept going and tried to just work out of the feeling. I was so weak when I came into T2 that I couldn't get out of my shoes while riding so I just unclipped and ran in my bike shoes. What would you do differently?: Put crack pipe adapter in Transition bag instead of in pump. Transition 2
Comments: Quads cramped alittle when I bent over to put on my running shoes. Good transition otherwise. What would you do differently?: Ride up to T2 with feet on top of shoes and jump of bike into T2. Run
Comments: I thought I was tired on the swim and bike but I was wasted on the run. I didn't even make it to the first 1 mile marker before I had to stop and walk a bit. I stopped to walk, not because I was out of breath or because my legs felt like bricks, but because I could barely pick my feet off the ground. I knew at that point that this would be a long 6 miles. Every time I tried to get going, I just didn't have the energy to pick-up my legs. I know it was hot, but I don't think the heat really effected me until between mile 3 and 4. By that time, I was already shuffling along at a brisk 12-13 minute mile:) I basically walked the whole 6 miles with occasional bouts of shuffling. What would you do differently?: Run Post race
Warm down: Sat on a table and drank water and gatorade and ate 2-3 cookies. What limited your ability to perform faster: I would love to know why I felt the way I did. Allergies? Cold/flu? Body still not recovered from crash at BSLT? Something else maybe? Event comments: I hope I am not going backwards at this point in the race year. This was a terrible experience for me from a performance standpoint. Jack's races are awesome and I can't say enough how much I enjoy doing any race that he is the RD for. I was especially impressed with the motorcycle guy on the run course going up and down the Damn asking people if they were alright because of the 102 degree weather. The water stop volunteers also were incredible, suffering through that heat in black shirts! Hopefully, I either got my BAD race of the year out of the way or just had a bad day and will move on. Last updated: 2006-05-11 12:00 AM
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United States
Ironhead Race Productions
102F / 39C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 316/416
Age Group = Clydesdales
Age Group Rank = 6/9
Arrived in Dallas on Friday night to meet family coming back from trip to St. Louis. Had a nice reunion but a late night. The following day, we went to see my brother, sister in-law and their new baby. It was HOT in Dallas and I should have done my Sat. workout in the morning but we didn't have time so I rode with my brother at 5pm and then did a 10 minute run. We then met Charles and Anna for dinner at a local Pizza and Pasta place. Race day morning was the usual oatmeal and coffee.
Short run and swim due to time spent looking for a crack-pipe adapter for my disc wheel. My pump and adapter were in my truck and my truck was used by a friend to drive back home! I was able to find an adapter from, none other than fellow BT'er Aaron (JeepFleeb). He and Comet where in the rack next to mine. What a relief! Thanks Aaron!