For the first time, I was VERY happy with my swim. I paced well, drafted effectively, navigated perfectly, and really hit my stride in the water. I didn't know how well I had done, exactly, but the number of bikes still in transition gave me a clue. This picture doesn't show it well, but the run up from the lake is something of legends. The ramp from the dock to the sidewalk was probably 50-55 deg (angle). The event director, Jeremy Davis, is a sick puppy! 7th in AG and 28th overall (out of 145).
Heading out of transition, I wasn't winded and felt great. I was, however, concerned about the brutal hills on the bike course that I had observed on the drive in that morning. A couple of crazy corners, too, which I'm still a bit nervous through since the wreck.
The bike went fairly well, but it's just been too long since I have focused on hills, so I was just hemorrhaging time on the inclines. I was holding great pace on the flats, false flats, and down hills. I'm sure I surprised more than one person that crept by me on a hill, that I in turn blasted past on a flat. In the end, though, I had lost time to the guys I wanted to be with into T2. I was 7th in my AG, and 22nd overall.
The run went well, and once I found my stride I really started to make up some ground. I pushed hard, and wound up with the 3rd best run split for my age group, and 19th overall. Not too shabby!
It was a good race, but if I do it next year I intend to be trained up on the hills, and do the Olympic distance instead of the Sprint.
17 comments:
Whooaaaaa there are a lot of words in there that are over my head LOL. I'll come back to this in the am after 5 cups o java, apparently my brain has lost a lot of function hehe
You stud. 'Nuff said.
Probably a good idea that I passed on this one :-) What's the low down on the aero-bottle? I've heard some crappy things about them... Do you like it/recommend it?
I like the AeroDrink, mainly because it holds a good amount of liquid and I can stay aero to drink. It does need to be customized, though, IMO. First, the tube must be trimmed to the minimum length required. Next, toss out the stupid yellow mesh thing it comes with, and buy a small shower poofy scrubby ball thing (synthetic loofah), and use that to close the top off. You can pour water through it, but it doesn't splash out and the poof ball won't pop out.
You have come back stronger than ever!! Does not surprise me but I can hardly wait and see what next season brings for you. The knowledge you have gained this year will only help you move up in your ranks.
Also, from reading your earlier post it sounds like you have a good, smart plan for your off season. Again, you have come so far.
Way to go David!!!
Great pics and report!
You did awesome! Holy cow on the ground you made up on your run! You really kicked some ass!
Sweet race report. Good job on killing that one! Interesting bar setup. How do you like dh skier position on long efforts?
I haven't noticed the bar position affecting me any more than general squirminess on longer rides. For a half or full distance, I would probably lower them a bit, but I really notice a difference in where the wind hits me with them up. It tends to strike on the outside of my shoulders, which I like. The parallel arm position just seems to trap a lot of air around the torso and hips to me. I prefer to get the air down around the frame, around my outside, or over my back.
Very cool!!!!!!! I love all the pics you got! You were smoking on the race to move up that much on the run! Sweet! Despite the hills it looks like a great race!! Thank God we don't have hills around here. I would actually have to know how to use my gears. LOL
LMAO I agree with Michelle! I think that about sums it up perfectly. Awesome job homie!! ;D ;D
Way to go!! Great report!! You look LEGIT out there :)
Way to Go Dave!! Congrats & good pics! Recover Well !!
Awesome!!! Great job - makes me want to start training for a tri. I've been going back and forth for years, and I think you and Mendy may tip me over into actually going for it.
by the way, can I borrow the "burnout" picture from your previous post? :)
Great race report! You can so tell that you are running uphill to transition. Jeremy is a nut when planning these details out. I know you're glad the season is over with, but you did fantastic in your first (of many) triathlon training seasons. More to come....
Time for you to pump some iron, then do some running.
Good to see you racing again!
congratulations on a great race! see you soon!
Post a Comment