Just before the gun went off, Kam ran up and decided to at least start with the F1 group, so we took off together down the hill. Before the start Kam asked the pace I was looking for, I thought 8:00 would be reasonable! I forgot, because I run on trails so often, how different trails are and how much slower I am! But, we settled into a nice pace and had a nice run until the end of the first lap, where the hills get a bit ugly. At the top of this one grassy knoll, I'm thinking that by the 3rd segment, I'm going to wind up on the ground at the bottom! :)

I could have pushed it a bit, but I'm happy with this segment.

I really can't complain about most of my transitions today! Could have been better, could have been worse. Probably the only thing that slowed me down a bit here was getting my helmet snapped. Not sure why, but couldn't do it running!

Not much.

Took off out of transition hoping to ride better than the last 2 races. Although I hadn't been on the bike much so I don't know why I would expect that! But the first loop wasn't bad. I would pass a lot going down hill and they would get me back going up. The big difference this race was that the flats I was able to hold the pace better. But, I met my goal for this segment, I was able to beat my time from the spring, and do so without burning the legs up for the run.

Ride more! Especially hills!

Slowest transition of the day.

Slowest of the 3 run segments, took a bit to get the legs moving off of the bike. But once they did, it wasn't too bad. Ran with mostly the same people that I leap frogged with on the bike. Caught Kam again at the aid station about half mile from the finish of this section. She was cleaning up the area, not sure why! ;) Glad to hear she wanted to finish the long race!

Probably had more in the legs than the pace of this section.

Not bad I guess.

Kam got out ahead of me and I was going to give her a gel, so I pushed the beginning of this segment. Finally caught her about 3 miles in, then settled into a legal distance behind her. Probably could have pushed harder on this ride, maybe another minute or 2 faster but I was comfortable and didn't want to blow up on the final run like I did in the spring. Kam said she was going as hard as she could and I was going as hard as I wanted! It was a nice ride!

Ride more, learn to race the bike. Yada yada!

Fastest of the day.

Took off out of transition and felt better out of the gate (I should with the slowww bike). Jumped back and forth with a couple of people and really was feeling pretty good. Pushed the pace up the hill passed back some of the people that got me in transition and initially down the hill. Just before the road that turned back towards the finished I saw Kam about 50 or 60 yards ahead (her transitions were fast compared to mine!), figured I would use her as a target to try and catch. Made some progress, then I think she saw a target to chase herself and she took off. So I settled for chasing the old guy behind her. I just about got him as we were reaching the down hill to the finish, but he took off towards the finish and although I chased him stride for stride, I just couldn't pull off the pass.

Nada!

Wandered up to the lodge for some breakfast sausage (hot dogs :) ) and some other snacks.


Lack of saddle time.

I basically registered for this to have a reason to at least get on the bike occasionally during marathon training. Between the weather and work travel, that didn't work so well. After the marathons in January, and maybe February, there will be a bike focus!!!!


Good race, at a nice venue. I thought it was cold this morning, then I remembered the New Years Day race at this same location where it was about 3 degrees and snowing, I felt better after that!