Lake Stevens Race Report - My biking Sux
I have family in the Seattle area so thought this would be a good opportunity to race, oh, and see them too. Only problem, this is a fairly hilly and technical course and I am a straight away flatlander, weighing about 185#. The setting is a lovely area north of Seattle and very convenient. Saturday I registered and drove the bike course. Oh, my! This is going to be difficult. Did not see the run course and that would have helped. It was hillier than I would have thought from the course description.
Sunday morning got to the race site and, as usual, the weather people were wrong. Supposed to be 70 and sunny; try 58 and raining. Wet roads just make my biking all that much better, not. Anyway, started with a good swim. For those doing this race, note that there is a cable that runs along the out and back portions of the course; virtually no sighting required (except in my case to keep me from running into the buoys.) You can see from the link that it does help with a straight line. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/200879045 Garmin says 1.24 miles. I was 7th in my age group (6 of us within about 15" of each other.)
Split Name |
Distance |
Split Time |
Race Time |
Pace |
Div. Rank |
Overall Rank |
Gender Rank |
Total |
1.2 mi |
32:49 |
32:49 |
1:41/100m |
7 |
231 |
166 |
Quick run thru transition in 2:05 and off onto the bike. Had set 260 as my FTP, but this was based on a best guestimate as I still have not done a test outside. I do think it is pretty close. Rode conservatively at first and then picked it up. NP for the ride was about 215, IF of .83 and a VI of 1.1. This is not a bad VI for me with all of the hills, multiple turns, etc. I am just slow. 17.9 mph and a 3:07. However, one of the benefits of getting older is that not too many people my age are going to pass. 1 did and I passed 1 so I stayed 7th thru the bike. I really need to figure out how to bike as that has always been my downfall. 2 entries for the bike, accidentally hit the stop button. Part 1 - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/200879051 ; part 2 - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/200879018
56 mi |
3:07:34 |
3:42:28 |
17.91 mi/h |
7 |
342 |
272 |
Back at T2 had another quick transition, 2:08, and out into the double loop run course. This is a double loop course that looks like the big dipper with a bowl and handle, good for spectators as they see the runners about 5 times in 13.1 miles. Started out a little easy with the idea of picking it up as we progressed. Planned to also walk every aid station for about 20 steps. However, at about 2 miles in I started to get a "cramp" on the lower right rib cage area. I do not think this is a side stitch (aren't those on the left?) Not sure if it was from the Perform, but I was doing everything I could think of: 3 steps inhale, 2 exhale with force, etc. Stopped the Perform and switched to just Coke. Eventually at about 5 miles had to take an extra walk break as it was really hurting. Stretched a bit and eventually it did go away. Was able to maintain a good pace for the run although I did slow down. Coming over the last hill I picked up the pace for the last mile and a half and had a good finish.
6.4 mi |
6.4 mi |
53:40 |
4:38:16 |
8:23/mi |
|||
13.1 mi |
6.7 mi |
55:02 |
5:33:18 |
8:12/mi |
|||
Total |
13.1 mi |
1:48:42 |
5:33:18 |
8:17/mi |
7 |
307 |
242 |
This was about 40 minutes off my PB, but I have not done a HIM for about 4 years and, if my point did not come across, I need to learn how to ride faster! My best times have all been on relatively flat bike courses. I do not mind hills on the run. This was a fun race and I will probably be back. Next 2 races are relatively flat, so I have about a year to learn how to ride the hills and overall faster.
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