Racine 70.3 Race Report
Racine was my first half and maiden voyage into tri long distance so all was an opportunity to asses my training in race conditions prior to heading on to IMWis.
Prerace: I liked the town of Racine, quaint, quiet and welcoming as well as the show which the Ironman group puts on, well organized. I left Cincinnati on Fri, stopped over in Chicago Fri night with my daughter Michelle and the two of us came up to Racine Sat morning. Got situated, did the expo thing, checked out the lake, lunched with EN was great to meet many, back to transition with bike, drive some of course etc., etc. You can see where this is going- too much running around the day before.
The morning of awoke 3:30am 3.5cups applesauce, whey protein, and banana thing along with Perform and two salt tabs. Had done this in RR’s – worked well. We left hotel at 5:15am- arrived 5:45 for transition setup, painting, etc. Needed to run to port-a-pot stop in the middle of setup. Was all amped up being I was in the ole dogs wave- first AG off behind the Pro’s- rushed out for EN pic but missed it- more anxiety . Scurried up beach while getting wet suit on and such so I could get in the water prior to gun. Ended up with plenty of time on the clock but not in my head.
Swim 57:09 2:57/100m 51 in AG 2GU just prior to going in
It’s quite a stretch to call my effort a swim- more survival if anything. Was not at all prepared for what I saw as the Pro’s went off and then I too plunged into moments afterword’s. I know many of you who are swimmers are LOL but I’m no swimmer. I immediately got out of my “box” trying to get out to the first buoy. What form I had immediately went to hell. It seemed every time I went to sight I was looking straight out in the ocean and getting yelled at by kayakers to turn back and head south. Found I couldn’t count to more than 6 or 9 before going into the breast stroke to again get my bearings. That or most often I had to come out of freestyle because of another gulp of water. Drank a ton and got into a coughing-gaging spell which scared the hell out of me. Ultimately I was able to sight on a construction crane beyond the finish which seemed like a hell of a ways off but ultimately drew closer as I struggled on. The whole scene was not good. I felt I had just survived 57min of water boarding.
T1 4:54
Stripped at waters edge and then headed up a fairly long jog (stumble) to transition. Felt bloated as hell Sick thought running through my head was “well at least you will be able to pee on the bike” one of my goals
Bike 2:51:37 nutrition 4 bottles Infinite, 2 GU, 2 Cliff Shots salt tab
Going out of the transition I my thought was REGROUP and get your head back in the game- as I was on land and in my comfort zone again. Forget the past and get in your box. 2 seconds later I came damn close to ending my day. Although I had done the feet-in –shoes on the bike once in an Sprint I haven’t practiced it any of late but Ironically thought “oh yeah I got that - no problem. Launched out of transition feeling good about being in low/low as recommended I didn’t consider the fact that I had NO free coast to clip in, rather there is an immediate hill. As soon as I pushed off mounting the bike the shoes flipped top side down- the last time I just flipped them back as I held the pedals in the 3:00 and 9:00 position but here . Before as the bike coasted I’d flip them back and get my feet on top. This time with no freewheel and my feet on the bottom. To the amusement of the bystanders it looked like I was on a bucking horse as the shoe coming around the bottom raised the wheel off the ground. Got one side flipped back and foot in but ended up with my other foot over the leading edge as it went around the bottom with big toe in-between asphalt - thought I broke it and tore some skin off the front- (loosing the nail now). Needless to say that greenhorn move gave me something further to cuss about and new PAIN to focus on….
Bike route was pretty sketchy with lots of wide cracks, tilted/broken pavement and tight sections which made for some tense moments- saw a couple bad wipe outs and flats . Did have some wind assist going out of town but paid for it out in the open as it seemed to always be in my face in later segments. Second newbee move was: the night before coming up my new A-2 bottle arrived which I should have left behind to run through some RR's but no I mounted it best I could and went with it after trying out on my driveway. Was a pain in the butt on the ride with tube and valve issues etc. Overall the toe throb subsided and served to jar me into focusing. Stayed in Zone 2 for the first 20min and then held my PM numbers pretty well with no additional issues. Felt I stayed in my box on the ride, had my own hydration 4 bottles of Infinite, 2 GU’s and one cliff shot pack Biggest disappointment was I didn’t pee de bike! Even with all that liquid. I swear I lost considerable time second half just trying to pull that off- had to but couldn’t- coasted some downs standing up to get in the “mood” but not squat, even grabbed an ice cold water from a guy and dumped it down my shorts- all that managed to do was freeze all- felt like a box turtle which was afraid to come out of it’s shell
T2 5:23
T-2 started out great but turned into what not to do. My rake location was on the side by spectators so as I’m slipping my socks and shoes on I’m talking to my daughter about my bloody toe “which she saw and was worried about, etc., etc. took off without my shades and had to rush back. Grabbed them and was all the way to the arch when I realized AI had also left my Garmin (had my 310 mounted on front for PT numbers) Almost went on but smartly turned back and went all the way back a second time to retrieve. And then oh yeah had to stop to pee like a horse.
Run 8:53 3.4m split overall 9:22 pace my Z2 nutrition 2 GU, Preform and coke on course
Felt ok about the run. Big help to have Coach Rich on the hill about 1.5 miles out to check me “no racing yet Joe” despite what I thought I was doing to be smart and slow down for the first 30 min I was at my Z3 8:35 pace. His coaching right there likely saved my race and got my head where it needed to be. Course got pretty hot but there were nice shaded sections which gave me something to look forward to shoot for on second loop. Seeing Rich again second time around was good as well as knowing the course and breaking it down as my box get progressively smaller. I Did feel in control all the way through although my box got progressively smaller on the second loop I did feel I had control of the pain demons overall.. Hit the line at about mile 9 and had to start playing games to satisfy the demons which were saying “this sucks just walk” with things like get to that next station a mile up and you get a GU, sponges at next stop, Coke at next stop
Overall great learnign experience of what mainly NOT to do. But thrilled to have the advantages of EN coming into my first. Felt well prepared, now know I can fully trust what the numbers are telling me. Above all it was great feelign I had an extended family on the course with all the EN kits- will me huge in getting over the line in IMOO
My biggest lessons learned were to
· Arrive a day earlier , get in Thurs night for Wis. I messed around with too much admin on Sat
· Swim wall-tag doesn’t’ work for swells
· Don’t get distracted in transition, keep it simple and focus
· Stay in the present despite “what just happened
· AVOID trying anything NEW I.e. jumping bike mount, A-2 bottle
· I can Trust in my EN numbers – stick to them
Rocked feeding off the EN mojo with multiple peeps on course!
Comments
Forgot my final stats
Swim 57:09 AG 51
Bike 2:51:37 19.58 m/hr AG 31
Run 2:02:55 9:22/m AG 17
Final 6:01:58
you as well Bruce, thanks for all your help and insight. See yah in Madison
And yes...I agree the roads were horrible. Perhaps we are spoiled with our training runs as Matt and Carl both weren't bothered by them.
Good job in sticking through the swim.