My strategy was to take it easy on the first run to ensure that I had plenty of energy remaining. I wanted to run upper Z2-low Z3 or 8:30-9:00 minute miles. Due to the frigid temps I didn't want to go out too fast either, which I have a strong tendency to do. HR was elevated to begin the race and shot up the minute I hit the hill. At the one mile mark I met up with another athlete from Atl and we stayed together the entire time. It took me about 3 miles to completely warm up. I thought the pace was comfortable as the HR kept reaching well into Z3. My only complaint was that I had to stop and pee before reaching transition. That was annoying.

Clearly, I left a lot out there on the course. I should have picked up the pace more during miles 3-4. But it is always difficult to judge that early in the race. But I hit my targets.

I had a great position for transition, third row, right in the middle. I took my time, made sure to not just throw my running shoes aside (since I needed them again).

Not much, I wasn't in a hurry. Glad I got to practie a transition.

Well this was the first time to race Betty so I was excited to test her out. Additionally, I left my Hed H3 and disc on to see what would happen. It ended up being a course in bike handling and learning how to use a disc. I will say from the onset, that I have never been so scared in my life on the bike. The winds were gusting between 20-30 mph and they seemed to all be coming from the side. I can count at least half a dozens times that the wind hit me and noticeable shook me up. On the second lap, it got so bad that I honestly comtemplated pulling out of the race for my own safety.

First lap was smooth. Given the winds, I had a tough time settling into aero position and when I did I was so tense that the shoulders and neck were hurting. The winds made descents really bad. I was forced to ride my brakes on most of them so I lost tons of speed. The course had 2 turnaround points and 2 90 degree turns. I slowed to a crawl on both of those in fear of catching the disc in a wind and falling over. I feel that I climbed really well on the first lap. I pushed it but not too hard.

I hit the second lap feeling good...settling into aero a bit more and feeling more comfortable on the disc. Or so I thought. My strategy was to push it more on the rollers and climb better. I felt like I knew where the wind gusts. At mile 20 it started raining/sleeting and the wind picked up even more. It was absolutely miserable. I was forced to slow it down.

At this point I couldn't feel my hands anymore. No lie, it hurt to shift gears and brake. I found a decent gear and decided to mash over the final 3-4 miles rather than shifting.

What all this meant was that I completely abandoned my nutrition/hydration plan. My plan was to take in 3 gels and half a powerbar. I rode with a bottle of water and cytomax. I wanted to grab extra water at the exchange and drop in 2 Nuun to kick up my electrolytes.

The end result was 2 gels, no powerbar, 1 bottle of water and 3/4 cytomax. My hands were frozen and I was griping the bike too hard to retrieve anything.

1. Take off the disc. 2. Ride the road bike. 3. Not compete?
Not much I can do differently. It was still a solid ride especially given the miserable conditions. I think I could drop 10 minutes under better conditions. Obviously, not taking in enough nutrition hampered me. I probably should have put on my thicker gloves.

Well my joints were stiff. I couldn't unbuckle the helmet...my hands were frozen. I debated putting on dry socks but realized that I wasn't functioning properly so it wasn't an option. I tried to tie my shoes and it didn't happen. I took off the gloves and my hands were purple. I have never seen them that color.

Bring hand warmers? Sit by the fire? Nothing I could do

Going into this race I had the realization that I have only bricked one workout. I knew this was going to be a challenge. I was surprised that I found my legs relatively quickly. My first two miles were great and my HR was way down. I did have to pee again...which irritated me. I started to hit my wall at mile 3.5. I knew the lack of calories and electrolytes would effect me. I tried to take in some frozen gel and popped 2 e-caps at a station but the body was done. My plan was to pick it up at mile 3 and then go all out at mile 4. It didn't happen but my pace was still good.

I knew the lack of nutrition would effect me on the run. Not too much I would do differently. The second run was only 18 seconds slower. If it wasn't for a long bathroom break and constantly retieing my shoes (frozen fingers) then I would have a negative split. Who does that?

I didn't feel well. I took about 10-15 minutes to just chill and lay down before I tried to move again. Then I wanted some grub. Went to the gym and chowed down on everything I could get my hands on. Followed this with a large burger and milkshake.


Sub 40 temps, rain, wind...


Team Magic always put on great events and enlist the help of plenty of volunteers. This is a great course and an enjoyable race under better conditions.