KC 5I50
I headed down to the KC 5150 with the better half and 3 other friends to race. The chica and 2 others were chasing AG Elite spots for the Hy Vee AG Elite race in September, so I thought I would put my new found EN fitness to the test since I was there. I mean what else do I have going on...besides eating BBQ!!!
Venue: A little nervous at first because it seemed a bit disorganized at packet pick up on Saturday but by Sunday they had everything rocking and rolling. Big transition area and parking was not too far from the start. An easy walk on Sunday morning. No early bike check in because the wind was whipping everything around on Saturday. By Sunday the wind was a non issue.
Swim: Had an average swim. I felt like I was moving a lot faster than I was. My sighting was solid considering I can turn a 1.5K swim into a 3K swim by swimming from left to right and back again! Maybe a little too comfortable and not pushing myself but since it was the first open water swim of the year I'll take it. I have to remember that my sleeveless suit is not a quick release at the top but a zip down. Duh!
Time: 28:45 Goal (27:xx)
T1: 2:27 (see wet suit brain fart)
Bike: I thought I had read that this was a flat course but when we drove the 2 loop course we realized that it was rolling with 2 good climbs and three 90 degree U-turns. I assume that they meant the transition was flat. I was excited to put the new found EN bike fitness to the test. All the training had been going beyond expectations. Training with power has been an eye opener. Didn't have any super solid goals other than to finish the bike in 1:05 and see how that would feel. I am always hesitant to "let loose" on the bike for fear of falling off the cliff during the run. The roads were nice and for most of the part we had two lanes of biking so with even 1400 racers there was lots of space to pass. Tried to ride smart on the up hills but maybe I was a little to conservative. None-the-less I was on pace for my goal until the last 2 miles which were a steady uphill. Overall, happy with the bike since it was a PR time on a harder course.
Time: 1:06:04, Avg Watts 256. Goal 1:05:XX or 23.0 mph.
T2: 1:20 Solid for me since I put socks on.
Run: This is what I was most excited about. I have been running faster than ever and I was super stoked to test the run fitness. Since I have started EN I have Pr'ed in both the 5K and 10K. All the training runs have been at a faster pace and never have I thought I would be running sub 7 pace near the end of a 2 hr training run. Anyways back to the race... A two loop course on gravel and tar. First mile is a gradual uphill. Lots a twists and turns on the course. During the bike I was having a back and forth with a guy from my AG. I beat him into T2 but wouldn't you know it he passes me a 1/2 mile in. Legs feel ok but not great (per usual). Finish the 1st lap with him still in my sights but now the legs are back. I make a pass and never look back. Second loop flies by. I never took splits because I am trying to run by feel and I feel like I am running now passing people like crazy. Feels so good to run like this! The plan must work because this is the 2nd fasted 10K I have ever ran open or otherwise.
Run: 40:47.
Total time; 2:19:22 (A Olympic PR by 3 minutes!) Goal was a 2:17:xx but I will not complain.
I am so stoked by this race. Considering I had a hard 2 hr run on Thursday and spent Saturday driving all day this is affirmation that the EN program works. The AG I was back and forth with gave me the biggest compliment when he said that as I passed him I was flying and gone. This is a compliment to the EN program. Also met 2 other EN peeps all because I wore my EN race top (which looks great). Great affirmation race as I continue to build for IMKY.
Thanks for reading and thanks EN peeps and coaches for community. BTW, all three of the amigos got their Hy Vee spots so I guess I will be speactating in the state of Iowa post IM!
Comments
My bike time was a lot slower than my other Olympic distance races have been. Four minutes slower than Age Group Nationals in Tuscaloosa two years ago, which I thought was a similar enough course to compare to. Either the course was long (or my other courses have been short), the hills took more of a toll than I had thought, or my bike just isn't where it has been in previous years. After comparing my expected time to the speeds of the other women cyclists, I think it's more the first two.
What was your VI for the bike leg?