Lake Stevens 70.3 Triathlon World Qualifier - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Once I was in the water and the wave began I had that first feeling of dread I always have which has me asking myself the question, “Why the Hell would anyone what to put themselves through this shit?” But the conditions could not have been better and as predictably as the bad emotions had come on they dissipated to be replaced by a sense of belonging even as I swam slowly out toward the orange buoys. The water temperature was beautiful and for the first time in many races I did not feel as though I was being tested to endure the chill of the water. In addition, this race sets up the buoys with an underwater tie-line at a depth of about 5 feet. Once I was somewhat alone towards the back of my wave I simply put my eyes on that line and got into a modest rhythm and swam. What a boon it was to not have to look up and risk breaking that rhythm. I only really stopped swimming once when I was negotiating the first left-hand turn and got hit by someone and took in a mouth full of water. I coughed and choked for about 30 seconds before I could clear it and then retrieved my stroke once more, again following the underwater tie-line. My optimistic goal of 42 minutes was a little too optimistic but I did get out of the water in 46 minutes, much better than my pace at Cascade’s Edge or any other race I have done and so I was pretty happy.

Get faster, train more.

T1 went smoothly enough. I was methodical in taking off my wetsuit and putting on my clothing. In 3 minutes I was on the bike heading out to the course.

Nothing.

I was hoping to reach and maintain an average speed of 18 miles per hour. Sure, I might have been able to do it but in the end I settled for 17.8 mph and an overall bike split of 3:14. I climbed well and I rode fast on the downhill portions. I had to stop for 3 or 4 minutes on the second loop to fix the cleat on my left boot which had come loose. I forced myself to get nutrition in (Nasty Heed and Perpeteum) thinking I was setting myself up for a good shot at 2 hours on the run. The course was beautiful and the weather was still perfect. I never once thought of the temperature either way. With a faster bike the effort I put in for the ride would definitely have been sub-3 hours. Maybe with the borrowed Cervelo out in Michigan I can actually do that at Steelhead.

New bike.

T2 was fine. I did forget to take the Ibu I had in my bag. I was out in a couple of minutes. I stopped to hug the boys and eat a banana from Jason's wife, Jill was holding for me. Outside help, I know, but hey, I needed that banana.

Nothing.

I realized right away that 9 minute miles were not going to happen, at least right at the outset. I was, of course, worried about my quads cramping up thus making the rest of the race a horror show, so I kept my pace at just over 10 minute miles for the first loop out of town. I did not have salt pills but it turned out that I was able to pick up 6 or 7 of them along the way, off the ground, perfectly good, waste not want not, as they say. It probably kept me from outright disaster with the cramping. I had been thinking that the extra electrolyte powder I had infused into my Heed would stave off any cramping for this length on race but I was probably wrong.. As it was I was fading fast anyway. I did the first loop in about 1:08 and slowed a bit on the second loop for a final Run spilt of 2:26. Never did I breathe hard. My legs were the limiting factor the whole way. I definitely have to get myself to run more, do more brick work, to lose weight and to mentally be able to suffer for a while and I won’t be faced with this sort of meltdown. But it is what it is. I had had a good swim, for me, I had had a good overall ride, but being 15 pounds heavier than I should have been probably had made it longer and probably had taxed my legs to the point where a good run was just not possible. Then, once on the run, being this heavy just makes it that much harder to ask my legs to do that kind of work. Final time: 6:32.

Lose weight. Train more.

After seeing the boys and talking with Don and Elena by the finish line I excused myself and went and took a dip in the lake to refresh myself. I grabbed a couple of pieces of pizza and then I stretched out on the grass for a few minutes before collecting my stuff from transition.


My weight.


I love this race. I will probably be back every year for quite some time.