Redman Long Course Nationals - PR on 1/2 IM #10!!
Still flying high from my weekend Long Course Nationals race at Oklahoma City – a ½ IM. You see, I’ve been doing this tri thing for quite some time – 15+ years (including 10 ½ IMs) – and I just PR’d!!!! Took some chances this year - switching to the EN method of training, buying a power meter, and completely re-hauling my training and racing fueling approach (that last item in the last 2 weeks, thanks to Core Diet!!) ! I am living proof that you can still continue to get faster even in your 50s, with some changes. How cool is that!!
Race day began with a yummy breakfast of apple sauce, protein powder, and a banana. Delicious and easy on the tummy going down, BUT… for some reason (all above changes? Championship race? Worlds slot?...), my nerves were especially jumpy, and all morning pre-race, I periodically thought I was going to lose my whole breakfast… ick!! As soon as the gun went off, I was absolutely fine… thank goodness
The details:
Swim was my typical on the slow side… that’s what you get when you only swim 1 – 2x / week. But, I was relaxed and not stressed about it; I’m used to playing the catch-up game. Got on the bike, and this was where the fun really began. I basically rode with my eyes glued to the power meter, keeping it at 80 – 85% of FTP. I had no idea how fast I was going, and didn’t really care; just trusting in the process. Also, for the first time, I set a 10 minute timer on my watch, and, just like Pavlov’s dogs, I subconsciously drank every time that beeper sounded. When I finished the bike with a very even moderate effort at 2:49 (8 minute PR), I was astounded! The bike portion seemed to go by really fast, and I had no negative, low energy periods. Someone asked me afterwards if it was a hilly course, and I remarked that I didn’t know, as my pacing and effort completely flattened it!
Quick T2, then on to the hot run! Switched the fueling from gels to blocks every 2 miles; stuffed cold wet sponges down my top every aid station; and just kept clicking off the miles and counting the 50-54 female road kill! Love that feeling!! It was an awesome run (I so love to run!!) May have gone out just a little bit too fast; it is SO hard to keep the pace under control at the start! I was definitely working hard and sounding like a locomotive the last 2 miles. Finished my 2nd fastest run at a ½ IM in 1:53! I was so stoked (and really surprised) at the end to see my final time of 5:32 and feel that I had earned that Worlds slot and AG 4 finish with a smart, well-executed race.
THANK YOU EN!!!!!!!!!
Kudos out to Redman race support for a very well run race and some of the best volunteers I’ve ever experienced!
Comments
big congrats. you are the latest EN poster child.