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Clearwater WC Race Report/ EN Testimonial

WisemanWiseman
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

This years successes started on Nov 4, 2009 when I dove into the EN OS Plan. Not only have I become a HUGE believer in the EN way, those around me have seen the improvement as well. Its been a lot of work but the results speak for themselves...for the year.

CSTS Tri Series in Charleston- AG #1 for series

PSTS Tri Series for SC- AG # 2 for year

NOLA 70.3 - 10th AG

Chas HIM - 1st AG

Augusta 70.3 - 4th AG , qualified for Clearwater on rolldown

Clearwater WC 70.3 - 15th AG

A tremendously successful season for a guy with an athletic background ( many years back), but MOP genetics for endurance sports...WORK WORKS.

Clearwater...drove down Tuesday with all my stuff. 8 hour drive, but I like the convenience of having everything with me. Got  out and ran 3 miles or so when arrived and felt really good to loosen up the legs after long drive.

Being down there with the worlds best athletes was a cool experience...not your normal HIM race, lots of focus and intensity apparent in very fit people.

Since this was my 4th HIM of the year, I had the routine down. Nutrition, timing , etc all was very comfortable. An interesting sidenote is that I never got excited for this race...I suppose because I knew I wouldn't be racing for first place and my expectations all centered around enjoying the experience, and, if the day presented it, to PR again at this distance.

Race morning, 5-10 mph wind from NE led to choppy conditions in Gulf. OK, but it would certainly lead to a slower swim time. Water temp was around 65F and it felt great. My only glitch during swim was having to take a nature break on the return leg ( I'm not one of you that can do that while swimming....). Out of the water in 36', goal to be out of T1 by 40'.

T1 was purposeful, although a little slower than I would have liked. Out on the bike in very clean air, since we were the 4th wave to go off.

First 25 miles into a headwind and speed showed it. Only 22+- mph, and I was riding at nearly 87%...my legs felt great though. I knew they would be strong as I had retested 4 weeks ago and set a FTP all time high. After the turnaround, I had the benefit of that wind at my back. What fun ( other than the 30-34 AG train/peloton that cought me , that's another story). Ave speed for next 31 miles was 26+- mph...boy it was fun. Back into T2 in around 2:17, target was 2:20 ish, based on RR 2 weeks ago in similar conditions. Hydration and nutrition were spot on ( Had to do another nature break in T2). Out of T2 at around the 3:00:00 mark, which was my goal. Now , if I could PR the run, I would be successful in an overall PR for the day. Goal watts 262, actual 263 and felt a little stiff, but good.

The run course was an honest effort with 2x over/backs over bridge between Clearwater Beach and inland. Paced myself at 15"/mile faster than my previous best HIM pace and it felt comfortably hard. Was able to hold this to finish for a PR run time of 1:41 ish.

Overall time 4:42:29, good enough for 15th AG. Times were slower this year, I suppose some in the swim, not sure about what else. Great way to close out the year and looking forward to some R & R before jumping back into Jan OS group.

Thanks again to the support offered by our EN group....its been outstanding. Much less racing, but looking forward to tackling IM Canada 2011 !

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