Elkhart Lake Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

After warming up for Whitewater, and doing well, I thought warmup would help. It did! I had a great swim. Paced it well and did not feel dead coming out of the water. Last year this was my first Race and I did the Sprint and looked like I was on death's doorstep, or maybe in its garbage.

When we lined up I took my now usual outer front slot. I waded out, not running, just long powerful steps. I learned a few weeks ago, the increased HR of running affects my swim start and rhythm, so just powered in with the walk and dove in when the water was over my knees. I then sank into a good powerful stroke and took off until after the Sprint bouy. At this point I was on the outside of the pack ( At least I thought they were there) I kept a steady pace with two or three other clydes on my left. I treid to slip behind one to draft, he was in a yellow cap, but he turned to the breast stroke to help sight and I crept into his feet. So I abandoned that theory and just kept him to my left - and he did zig zag a bit.

At the turn there was one swimmer - triingforsept07 a fellow donkey - who turned ahead of us and then I poured it on to slip behind yellow cap and beat another blue cap. Then after the turn I still felt good and started to use some bursts with longer stronger strokes to pull me into the last 200 yds. I dropped the yellow cap about half way and saw a white cap (elite female ahead) I caught and passed her. I felt great still. But knew I would be running soon and needed to slip into an easier pace for the last 100 yds - so cruised into mid shin high water and stood up to run -

POW! Cramp in the left calf. Absolutely Piercing! Had to hobble out and up the hill (Which I hear my son ducked under the line and kept up with me up the hill until a volunteer grabbed him for my wife.) I galloped over the transition pad and . . .

. . . dropped to the ground to pop off the suit and massage out the knife in my calf - it was somewhat comical seeing my camp flexing as hard as it could. I got it out quickly and ran to the bike, dropped gear and off I went. VERY QUICK T1. In fact I typically am quickeer in T2, not today!

check the first part of my ride

I hopped on the bike and rolled up into town, had a goo. Got up some good speed but careful not to aggravate the calf. Felt good so tried to flip on the shoes and SNAP! the left one rolled over the pedal caught the ground and popped off. Slammed on the brakes - right in front of the Farmers Market crowd - and put the bike down, grabbed the shoe, put it on the foot along witht he right, popped onto the bike and off we go! This kicked up adrenaline - I was a bit furious, so I flew up the first 2 miles.

With all of this, I also vomited slightly 4x and swallowed each time. Nothing major just throat into mouth level - tasted awful nonetheless.

I hit the first downhill and used it to fly and recoup, turned and hammered up the straight until A, used that stretch to coast and get some extra speed with out over doing it. Turned right towards the hills. Hit summit and hammann roads and caught fellow BT/Donkey's triingforspt07 and xh20skier, then flew up the hill - going hard, I never had a hill under 10 mph. I paced everything out just right so I could hit hills and just GET UP THEM!!

So I flew down the Hammann hill and turned right and right into the second part of the figure 8. pushed for about 1-2 miles and then reserved for the "Teeny" Hill. I hit it and was ready - BOOM - down shifted perfectly and hopped out the saddle and flew up the first part - the steep part 10% grade. Fished it and felt a bit winded but knew I had to climb it only once. got up it and went into Road America.

At this point Only about 5 or 6 riders passed me, AG's with discs and Sweet rides. Went into Road America knowing the first half from training and last year. Never knew the second half and Fireman's Hill. I had a lil understanding from the video - Thanks RD. So I paced it right and flew down the hill area, worked up into the tunnel and under it, then coasted to get ready for the Hill. One time up - good shifting and great effort I punded up it and passed the 2 people on it. Then finished the lap around. It was a fun course, I liked the turns and technical aspect, it was a blast. I hit the FH 3 more times and passed people and flew past them to. I never was passed on the hill. Which is great cause last year I was always passed on these. This time I was the passer.

Finally I exited RA and hit the home stretch 2 miles and flew in.
After the last hill I picked up some speed and dropped a few gears to get ready to run. Pulled the feet out of the shoes a bit early but not to worry, I was set to dismount and the legs felt good

Get one foot in first when I start riding, then move and get the second shoe on. Now that is 3 for three with shoe issue while trying to slip on while riding in a race - and I am flawless in practice

WOW - this was slower than T1 and normal. I decided to throw on socks at this point - did not feel like blisters. It went well I did hop off the ride and ran well witht the bike to rack - shoes were quick and off I went. Getting ready to be passed.

maybe no socks

Well - as always I start running with the idea I am going to be passed by everyone. Surprisingly this did not occur until 1.5 miles in. A pack flew past me - eventually they all were at the podium for awards. I did see PeterAK on his bike - flying! I thought, I may get passed ,but he won't catch me and take my carrot. So I tried to keep a good pace. My goal was 9:15 and I was a bit short but very close.

I actually ran more in this than most runs, just did not push too much. I was stupid and did not drink enough water at the first water station and the next one was about 2 miles away. Well kept going, up hill into the neighborhood and then down Hamman - that felt good. I got back to the turn to go around the lake and kept moving. I had to walk a bit as both calves were twinging and the right quad wanted to cramp. So walked it off - thank good ness for long strides. After the next h20 station I started jogging again. I actually kept it up for about 1.5 miles. Felt really good about that.

Then I walked a bit and decided to jog to the JP sprint turn. Once I got there I had to walk up the lil hill to the water - YES ! I needed more. At this point I knew there were no more stations and about 1.25 miles to go. So I ran the flat and down. Got to the last uphill and laboriously walked up it. To this point I have pushed myself more thatn I thought I would have. I heard my HR warning go off every 10 secs saying HR TOO HIGH!

I then jogged throught the flat and down the hill. I walked about 2 blocks to get ready to run the final quarter mile. I wanted to Rol the line for Blais. So I peaked back and notice a female running up, but not too close so to have enough room I ran faster to the finish. I dropped in front of the line and rolled. I was too tall and almost took out my son who was trying to get me. I think the pad was about 6'3 and at 6'8 I rolled crooked.

Nothing really - just drink a bit more water on the course.

I walked past the timing chip people as tey tried to stop me, I said I have to walk a little I will be right back. I Strolled around and talked to people kissed the wife and bonked heads with my son.


Cramp
Shoe



BTW-

I WON CLYDESDALES!!!!!!!!

I love this course, I actually get to train on it weekly. This race and RDs put on one of the best races. I really enjoy it and plan on doing this every year, rain or sun or snow!!! just not inlightning - sorry I am not totally insane