Race Report Rev3 Quassy 6/5/2011
By far the most difficult ½ I have ever competed in and that’s over 10 years of racing. B.R.U.T.A.L. Dejected is how I feel. I knew this was going to be tough, My thought was it will be just as tough for all other competitors.
I met all of the other EN teammates the night before for a quick picture and get to know each other then off to dinner at a local Italian restaurant. Kept the food easy to digest, spinach salad, chicken orzo, a bit of foccacia bread and lots of water.
Bed by 10pm
Up at 5am, my wave was not leaving until 7:30 so plenty of time to get fuel into my system. Bkfst of whole grain bagel with almond butter and banana, coffee and Carbo Pro.
Swim
Water was flat almost glass like 69F very comfortable. My strategy was to get out ahead of most and hold it, stay relaxed find some feet and keep the straightest course. Swam through several other women’s waves in front of ours which caused some navigational challenges. Completed in: 34:23 1:37/100yd pace. Not too bad. 20th AG. Goal will be 1:30/100yd pace without too much damage.
T1
Problems getting my wetsuit off my ankleslost me 5 places as I exited 4:52.
Bike
I Previewed this course. I knew it was hilly and knew that mile 23-30 was all uphill with some slight flat spots. BE PATIENT was my mantra. I am still a Heart Rate racer. Indoors on the Tacx is Power. I know I know I will get switched to power. I was not going to push the bike too hard and save myself for the run. By the 54th mile Quads were pretty tired and lower left back/hip was stiff. Continued stretching did help. Nutrition was 1 Bottle of Carbo-Pro 400 cal. and 2 Thermolyte (salt and electrolytes) pills /Hr. Got into T2 in just under 3:00. 2:59:59. not good but I will take it. I gained back the 5 places I lost in T1 and am back into 20th place AG.
T2
In and out 1:51 and in the same position 20th AG.
Run
On my bike in I saw the other waves who left before me on the run and got a seek preview. Hilly. Hilly, Hilly. My goal was to loosen up my legs, take it easy, then gets to work. Target was 1:38 but that went out the window after the 3rd mile. Up up and away we went. I think seriously mile 4 through 9 were all up hill on a generally hard packed gravel road. By the time the course did level off around 9 or 10 you could not really enjoy it . Legs cramped up badly causing me to stop and stretch for a few moments take in more salt and water. By the end I was just holding on for dear life, and at mile 12 ANOTHER HILL. GREAT uphill finish. Pain, Pain, Pain is all I could say. I finished 1:45:31. No recollection as to what place I was in and at this point I did not care. I finished 15th place /76th AG with a 5:26:37.
In reflection, I much prefer the flatter hotter windier courses where I can get into the aeros and race. But to learn on a hilly experience only makes us stronger and that is what we are all here for.
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