Philly Olympic - Race Report
6/26/11 was Race Day and so this report is coming late - but better late then never, right?
Basically in 12 wk IMLP Prep period and did this race w/no taper. Just replaced the 3hr ABP ride with this Oly. This is the one race now that I've done every year since I started racing in 2007 - so if at all possible I like to do it. Plus its in the town where I grew up and most of my family live (brother does race as well). So after doing an 80 miler the day before and on very little sleep:
Swim: 00:26:30 (no wetsuit)
We had to wait a long time before my wave went (one of the last). The pros went half hour early since this is a big $$ race for them and that way they had very little contact with AGers (last year a pro women get caught up with a AGer and crashed). The current was with us but it was not a rushing current like we've had in the past. I'm guessing it probably shaved 1-2 min off my time at best. I started out way right in the middle of the Schukyill River and had very little contact - only at the one turn bouy. I remember telling myself I feel good and should probably be pushing it harder. I still get afraid to push to hard in the swim. Tough to compare swims times from year to year given the different conditions - but other than the one year where the current was wicked fast (with wetsuit), this was my best time.
T1: 2:xx
This went smooth other than putting socks on. Normally I don't but with the 10k run and my feet being a little sore I decided to go the safe route. I had a real good transition spot (best in 5 years).
Bike: 01:09:04 / 977KJ / 99.7 TSS / .93 IF / 1.09 VI / Ave Pwr 235 / NP 255 / MPH 21.5 / Cad 89 / Peak 10 & 20 minutes came in 2nd half. First time doing this race w/new tri-bike.
Goal was just to go all out since this was replacing a bike w/o. Course is 2 loops with 4 distinct short climbs - so you do each of them twice. In betw its flat and fast. Once I hit first climb I just pushed it. Its a pretty crowded course even though its on closed avenues that are very wide. People just can't stay right!!! There's always someone faster behind you!!!! Anyway, 1st loop goes well until end when you come down very steep hill and make left to start 2nd loop. Guy in front of me swerved to avoid a slower biker and moved right in front of me as I had picked up speed and planned to pass on left. I had to jam on brakes, scream and hold on. Our wheels touched but no one went down. I scared the crap out of everyone in earshot of me. 2nd loop less crowded as most waves were running by now. I really gave it all I had on last 7 miles - wasn't sure I'd make the run. Based on the numbers above I think I accomplished that goal. Knocked off 4 minutes from prior year.
T2: 1:xx
Pretty uneventfull transition. Should've run with race belt though rather than put it on while standing there (duh)...
Run: 46:51 / 7:33 pace / totally flat course
I basically just started running whatever felt right. Didn't take garmin. But looked at watch and saw 1:40:00 and new that I'd break 2:30:00 if just ran under 50 minutes. Now 50 minutes is right where I have usually run this. I felt good - new I was running sub-8 but figured it was around 7:45 pace. Asked a girl that I passed what her garmin pace told her and she said right at 8. So I new I was on pace to be close to the 50 min mark. Apparrently I picked it up a little with 2 miles to go - just to make sure I got under 50. This was a 2:45 minute pr on the run for me and was pleasantly surprised. It was warm but not hot or really humid - that made a big difference for me. My best open 10k from 5-6 yrs ago is a 7:22 pace - so this wasn't too far off.
Finished 16 / 138 in 45-49 AG.
Whats nice is that over the 5 yrs doing this race I've improved from 2:54 to 2:27 - so thats going in the right direction. Most of the improvement has come on the bike (until this year where I PR'd in all 3). I remember climbing a hill and passing a bunch of people and saying to myself - "that was me just a few years ago - standing, struggling just to keep the bike moving up the hill, then holding on to catch my breath at the top" - things have changed. Guess I may have done even better if I taperd a day or 2 - but no complaints from me.
Now onto IMLP!!!