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Monticelloman Half - Race Report

Race: Monticelloman Half, Lake Monticello, VA

Date: May 5, 2013

Background:

  • This was my 7th Half Iron distance race, and it was a B race in the lead up to Eagleman.
  • This was a really small, cool "college-y" local race, only 15 people in my AG (M 35-39)
  • I went to school in Charlottesville, so this was a great homecoming.
  • Race Day Stats
    • Weight: 170
    • FTP: 269
    • VDot: 47+/-

Pre-Race:

Got to Charlottesville in the afternoon before Race Day and drove the course. It was SO much hillier that I expected. I live at the Beach so the only hills are bridges over the waterways. I was unsure of how to run hills so I posted to the EN Team and got a great response from Al T. I knew how to ride, just keep my watts in the right zone. On the run, I decided to go by HR. Fortunately, after reading Coach P's IM TX RR last year, I decided to start tracking HR on my runs, so I had a good idea what I could hold for 13.1 miles. Plan:

    • Swim: smooth and steady
    • Bike: NP = 215
    • Run: HR under 150 for first 3 miles, then below 155 for the rest. Let Pace be what it will be.

Swim: 29:31 (1st AG, 13th OA)

  • At start time, it was 42 degrees and windy. The water temp (which I had been worried about) was a warm relief. 
  • Beach start which is just so cool.
  • First swim in my new wetsuit - Xterra Vector Pro X3 - unbelievable, it felt like I was cheating!

T1: 2:21

  • Just a disaster - freezing cold, had to put on a long sleeve jersey and gloves, feet were numb

Bike: 2:48.54 (4th AG, 23rd OA)

  • So windy and cold that I just could not get comfortable, especially riding the hills
  • Despite hills, NP = 215, right on target, with VI = 1.04
  • Obviously, got passed by 2 guys in my AG, both of whom were drafting each other (they finished second and third overall). It was a small race so no marshalls on the course. Oh well.

T2: 2:35

  • Another disaster - couldn't find my number belt (in my backpack!), toes were frozen

Run: 1:46.27 (3rd AG, 22nd OA)

  • Avg HR = 148 bpm
  • Felt like I managed HR well, but I left some time out there- was scared to push the pace on the hills without knowing how my body would react
  • Miles: 
    • (1) 7:56, 142 bpm 
    • (2) 9:19 (had to stop and pee), 142 bpm
    • (3) 8:05, 145 bpm 
    • (4) 8:03, 147 bpm
    • (5) 8:03, 149 bpm
    • (6) 7:58, 149 bpm
    • (7) 8:27, 150 bpm
    • (8) 8:16, 149 bpm
    • (9) 8:29, 149 bpm
    • (10) 8:09, 149 bpm
    • (11) 7:55, 154 bpm
    • (12) 7:48, 153 bpm
    • (13) 7:35, 159 bpm
    • (.1) 6:55 pace, 169 bpm

Finish: 5:09:48 (3rd AG out of 15, 22nd OA out of 132)

  • I'm not sure this qualifies as a "podium finish" since there were only 15 people in my AG, but I will take it.
  • PR by about 20 minutes because I did not cramp on the run for the first time in all 7 Half Iron tries.

Here is a pic of me at the start- it looks COLD! Thanks for reading

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Comments

  • Congrats. It's nice to solve the HIM distance and not cramp!
  • Good job John, too bad it was not a little warmer. I also think your run was stellar. That run course is deceptive harder than you think. I did Monticelloman last yr, u would have liked the conditions.
  • John, awesome execution on what sounds like a very challenging course (hills + temp). When I was more like your speed, I started playing a game with my HIM times, to try and get under 5 hours not counting transitions. That was a good step on the way to a sub-5 hour finish.

    Yes, you did podium. I'm at the stage where I sometimes get 1st pl for just showing up and finishing, any competition is better than none. Envision it as a reward for your consistency.

  • John - CONGRATS on a great race in tough conditions! This unseasonably cold weather we've been having is no joke, especially when you're trying to control a bike and run on blocks of ice that used to serve as feet! You know it's bad when the swim is the warmest part of your day! Have a great day at Eagleman!
  • Wow... Fish! Smoking Transitions for such a cold day too... No doubt a sub 5hr day if warmer! Congrats on that Podium! Looking forward to your Eagleman report!
  • Very nice.   Congrats.   I went to U.Va.   1988.   Engineer.
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