Matt Limbert Canada 70.3 Whistler Race Plan

(7 mile climb from Callaghan to Olympic Park - a 40 min effort based on my Best Bike Split course simulation on the trainer.)

Run Profile (in Km):

Race Strategy overall: This race will be more about managing HR, adapting & discipline to nutrition/fluids schedule, and be in more conservative race plan (extend the transition period on the bike & be especially patient on the bike overall) to setup a competitive run in the heat.   

Self Assessment: Although the heat makes my race plan more conservative overall. I do want to push the envelope for racing in the heat – I am comfortable with rolling the dice here. I have plenty of other opportunities to race another half. Rolling the dice here will only help my learning process for managing heat, nutrition and race intensity. So, I would to test my heat racing skills here. My strongest discipline right now is the run. I have some momentum in the swim. My shortcoming has been the bike. I typically ride with a higher VI and need to be more disciplined. I have also noticed that the VI gets worse as I get fatigued.

Race Day Goals: My goals are process focused.

Overall: Stay present. Getting in and staying in a “flow” state. I want to stay patient early. Deliberately focused on what I am doing right now. Constantly adapting and problem solving. I will grade myself on: How well did I build my effort across the day? Across each discipline? How well did I stick or purposefully adapt my nutrition and hydration schedule? When did I decide to go harder? Why? How did that work out overall? When did my body stop processing nutrition? How does that match my effort?

My goals for each discipline are:

Swim: Start easy. Exhale hard for the first 15 strokes. Stabilize the hips. Find a rhythm and a draft. Build the effort. Notice when my mind drifts or becomes distracted and re-focus with counting strokes. Refocus point - Pick a landmark ¾ of the way – with the idea that you can pick up some time on those that lose focus here.  

Swim Leg idea: With my new momentum in swim fitness I hope to swim with less cost. I don’t need to crush the swim. In fact I don’t want to work very hard in the swim at all. I feel that my new aerobic swim will place me close enough and not cost me as much energy as it has in the past. I plan to seed aggressively with the 30 min swimmers, but I don’t need to race them to be the first out the water.

Bike: Be patient on the first half of the bike letting HR drop – first 17 Km down to bottom of Callaghan climb. Find a rhythm. Keep a low VI, climb from Callaghan to Olympic Park aerobically – diligently watching avg power, nominal power and HR. I want to feel like I’m holding back here. Refocus point: After passing Callaghan and Whistler on the return trip, during the second half allowing the HR to rise a bit (last hour of the bike) - maybe.  Execute my nutrition schedule (3-4 shot blocks, 1 bottle GE per 1 hr or 45 minutes as it gets hotter). Get and stay wet – pouring water on me early (especially while climbing). Exit the bike hydrated, soaked and hydrated. Notice when my mind drifts or becomes distracted, re-focus on getting cadence, breathing, HR and power into appropriate ranges for the terrain.

From my race rehearsals – its all about finding the right RPE to maximize speed while keeping my stomach working for fuel and hydration. I expect low 60s for the start and mid 80s- low 90s by the start of the run.
2x GE in the first hour
1x GE for the rest + 3 or 4 Shot Blocks per hour 310 Cal/hr, 700 mg sodium. (1 shot block per 15 minutes - aligned with 5 mile auto lap)

Bike leg idea: As the temperature increases, the room for error decreases. I plan to ride patiently and under control for the first 49 KM (~30 miles, Callaghan the second time – longer that I typically would for a HIM). It is a 7 mile climb from Callaghan to the Olympic park which gives half the elevation gain in the first quarter of the race. It also comes after 10 miles of net downhill. Together, the extended, early climb combined with the “I feel great going downhill and out transition” will lead to a lot of folks over cooking that climb, leading to a long day has they climb again out of Callaghan and return to Whistler for the other half of the elevation gain for the remaining 3/4s of the course. I plan to keep my effort low early and avoid spiking or sustaining a high HR on this climb. There is a lot of race left at that point. I plan to descend find “free” speed getting aero quickly after climbing, looking for tangents etc. I will audible an effort increase on the return leg to Whistler (about 1 hour from the finish). I’ll evaluate my HR, power and temperature and see what I can do to gain some speed on the back half of the bike.

Run: Be patient for the first 8k (5 miles). This part is net downhill and largely shaded. Use this time to transition and maintain the effort from late in the bike. Hold ice in the hands and race saver bag. Water on me. GE in me.  A cup of fluid (4 oz) per aid station early. Sipping GU gel as necessary (~30-40 min) as I can tolerate. Refocus point: Turn around at the far end of the lake (~9 mile, 14 Km mark). Notice when my mind drifts or becomes distracted, re-focus on getting cadence, breathing, HR and power into appropriate ranges for the terrain.

Run Leg idea: I want to find a rhythm in the first 8k (5 miles). These miles are net downhill and are straightforward. The real work starts at that 8km (5 mile) mark. Be prepared to get to work here. I intent to use that has the setup for racing the run. Letting the HR and power rise, which will decrease my ability to take and process any calories. I have been running with power and it has been extremely helpful/reassuring while running hills for maintaining a consistent effort (where HR and pace typically vary more widely while going up or down hill).

T1= Wetsuit off. Jog with a purpose. Dump bag. Jersey, socks, shoes. Helmet on as I jog to the bike. Ask volunteer to repack wetsuit etc. Gift card. Be efficient, there is time saved here

 T2 = Helmet off on the way to the tent. Dump bag. Shoes. Go bag (sunglasses, race belt, hat, race saver bag). Half a banana at exit. Ask volunteer to repack. Gift card to volunteer. Exit - go slow, use time to get organized and sort out go bag during the first few minutes. Be patient.   

Other logistics / admin:

Pre-Race: 

Rest day early in the week: Practice change a tire, any tire, just to reminder yourself how and stay calm. Visualize how you will handle setbacks

Wed: Fly. Travel. Air BnB. M Start low fiber meals

Thurs: Race-check in? Assemble bike. Bike check ride. Drive bike course.    

 Fri: Practice Swim. Pack transition bags (per checklists).

 Sat:  Drop off bike and transition bags. Check out swim exit etc. High-carb / low fiber breakfast (pancakes/spaghetti) / small lunch / high carb dinner + 2x naked juice  

Sun: Wake: Early. Breakfast – 1x Naked Juice, Powerbar, 2x Stinger waffle, 3x shot block and sip bottle of Gatorade endurance. Sunscreen, lube, chip, EN race gear.  Race day bag (warm clothes). Shuttle to swim venue @ 5:15.

Thanks for reading. If you made it this far I would appreciate your thoughts.