TRITONS 1/2 IM; Jennifer Eckert
Completed the Triton's 1/2 yesterday in Bozeman MT. Swim consisted of 3 loops in a large pond with a run on the beach between loops. Mass start as there were only 60 racers! After a frenzied start (why...only 60 people?) I got into a groove and exited the water at 38:55 (20th overall).
Bike climbed over Battle Ridge..gradual uphill with some stiffer climbs to the top and over the backside 10 miles, then turn around and climb back up. An elevation gain of 3498 feet (altitude 6400). Worked hard at "not eating the paste"!) Keeping my AVG HR at 143 (z3) with a max to 157 (z5) on the stiffer/longer climbs. On the descents my HR would drop to 127 or less (z1). After finding my legs I felt like I could have pushed harder but was working very hard on keeping in the zones. My Bike time was 3:45:03.
The run was difficult. After a loop around the "pond" (approx 1 mile) you head out on roads, slight downhill for mile 2 then a right turn and you started a gradual climb which continued to mile 6.7. This gradual climb had some very generous climbs and some 11 & 13% pitches which I walked. Once you were to the top, it was downhill for about 3.2 or so then a flat with some small rises to the finish which ended with another loop around the pond. My AVG HR was high Z2 at 146, max HR was at start of Z4 at 155. My mind wanted to go faster and I felt like my heart could have but my legs didn't want to respond. I stopped at every aid station and took on fluids and got cold rags as it was 92 degrees and pure Montana sunshine (ie: no smog to filter that sun!!). Run time was 2:42
Overall I was happy with my race because it was so difficult, but disappointed that I didn't come closer to 6:30. My finishing time was 7:12 which was good enough for 2nd place in the 55-59 AG. (there were only 2 of us!!) But I wasn't last either.
For anyone wanting to venture out to Montana, the club that puts on this race is awesome, very personal race. They took time to speak with people the night before to get info on them to tell the spectators, they had cameras out on the road in cars making a little film. It was pretty fun. But, train for the hills both on the bike and the run...and remember it's warm in Bozeman, MT (it can also be very windy and fickle with T-storms)
My nutrition worked great. No gastric upset. Ate oatmeal with walnuts and cinnamon and 1/2 banana for breakfast, sipped on IM perform. Ate a GU before swim. On the bike I had a 500 Cal Bottle made up of EFS and Carbo Pro on downtube, 1NUUN in aero bottle and replaced with another at bike turnaround, 1/2 power bar. Approx 620 calories total. I ate a salt tab with about 10 miles to go to keep my sodium levels up.
On the run I carried IM Perform and at mile 3 had a Roctain GU. At mile 7 I had another salt tablet and ate another Roctain at mile 10ish. I was hoping that last GU would let me kick it in at the end but it didn't happen. But was happy with the nutrition in that I stayed very positive and smiling and didn't have that dreaded upset stomach!
Comments
JT, it was a fun race but difficult. Since I won a raffle and got free entry and hotel accomodations for next year, I have a chance to redeem myself on the hills! I remember IMCDA in 08...the swim was cold and there was lots of jostling for space! Another beautiful venue though!