The Block

RESULTS
7th place overall, 1st in AG, 1:20:27

The BI Tri is the race that attracted me to the sport.  While hanging out at my cousin's bachelor party in 2012, I ran into the Gazelle and Schonns shortly after they finished the race.  I told myself that day that I'd be back the following year to do the race.  The race sounded fun, unique, and was in a cool place-The Block. Fast forward to 2016 and I would be heading back to BI for my 4th consecutive race. After a really solid showing in 2015, I was hoping to carry the momentum  into the 2016 addition.  Days and weeks prior to the race I was concerned about my lack of focus and work on the bike.  Time would only tell.

On race day I woke up at 4 am, had a quick breakfast, packed my race gear in the car, met Mikey, and boarded the 6 am ferry.  Regardless of the race outcome, I knew it would be a good day since a group of us were headed out to BI.  After departing the ferry we headed over to Benson Beach for check in. With alphabetical transition, I set up right near Mikey and Westerly Triathlete/Runner, Mark B.  With plenty of time before the start, we were able to check out surf conditions, analyze the tide for the run, warm-up, and get a feel for the water before the race. Shortly before 9 am, all athletes were called to the beach for pre-race instructions and then lined up in heats.  

Swim-7:20, Rank 16

With a short run before entering the water, I wanted to get a clean start but did not feel the need to sprint into the water as some other competitors did.  Once in the water, I tried to get in a rhythm and stay towards the front of the pack,  Heading out to the first buoy, I was in 3rd place in my heat. By the time we reached the buoy, I pulled into second and the top guy had a decent lead on me.  While I was focused on my wave I was also tangled up with a variety of other swimmers from different waves. Throughout the entire swim, my goggles were fogged up, which made it especially difficult to tell what was going on.  Departing the water, the same guy that was ahead of me remained in place and I ran towards transition.

T1: 1:30, Rank 21 

Uneventful.  I always struggle with getting my wetsuit off and just try to remember the essentials before heading out on bike (bike shoes, helmet, sunglasses).    I remember being really thirsty before the bike but did not take the time for a swig of gatorade.  

Bike: 39:37, Rank 40

My least favorite and weakest leg of any TRI.  With the hills, a windy bike course, and lack of bike prep, I was especially worried about this portion of my race.  I was hoping that my swim and run would carry my overall time and that I'd just make it through the bike.  While I passed a ton of athletes (most of who I assume to be non-serious), same of the race leaders blew by me on the bike. Working hard and struggling along, the bike demoralized me.  After all of the climbing and wind, I felt pretty gassed by the end of the bike.   While I didn't feel good, I reminded myself that a bad run for me would be a good run for most triathletes {This is a positive fact that I pointed out to Mikey, Jeff, & Matthew pre-race}.  

T2: :58, Rank 51

I skidded into T2, ran to my area, threw off bike gear, slugged some gatorade, and hoped to make u some time.  In regards to overall place, I had no idea how I was doing in the race. I knew I didn't have a great bike though.

Run: 31:02, Rank 7

Heading out on the run, I was feeling it.  Low energy, thirst, and general fatigue.  Regardless, it was the run..my strongest discipline and the one I've trained the most for this year.  I knew the high tide run was going to be a struggle but hoped I'd get stronger as the run went on.  At about 1/2 mile into the run or so, I had to come to a complete stop due to a pile up of athletes crossing the rocky water area.  It was frustrating because I wanted to move and gain as much time as possible but I also didn't want to jam myself up in the process {I'm sure other athletes felt the same sentiment}.  Finally getting through, I knew I go through the same thing in just a few minutes after the turnaround. Headed back down the beach, I was passing athletes but it didn't seem like as many as I normally would.  Whenever I passed or saw someone, it looked like he/she was struggling.  I knew I looked and felt the same way.  While I love the beach and ocean, I don't like running in thick sand or water. By the time I reached the second turn around, I was doing whatever I could to slug down two waters as I was really parched.  The run in was horrible.  Note all of the conditions I previously mentioned along with a strong headwind.  I felt like I wasn't racing anymore-just trying to get to the finish. While no other runner passed me,  I knew I had a poor run and was feeling it.  Crossing the finish, I was happy to be done but less than happy with my race.  I situated myself by the water and gatorade jugs and replenished all of the fluids I lost.  I watched my WTAC teammates come in,  cooled off in the ocean, packed up my gear, showered, and hung out for awards.

Post race

Hung out with Mikey and the Gazelle's.  I was very happy to pull off an age group win on day when I didn't perform well.  Also thrilled by some outstanding racing from the Gazelle's and Mikey B.  We grabbed lunch at a local restaurant on Corn Neck Road and then hung out by the shops in town before heading out on the ferry.  Despite how I felt about my performance, I had a great day with great people.

A hungry group!

Thoughts

-A fun day, but a tough day. Very happy with my AG win-but disappointed I didn't place a little higher.  A better run would have probably gained me a couple spots.
-Weak bike.  As I previously mentioned the bike is my weakest and least favorite leg of the TRI.  This is the discipline I need to work on the most on..need to motivate myself to work harder on the bike.
-Satisfied with my swim.  Haven't put in the time or yards I did last year and still did well in this area.  I'll take it!
-Like the Blessing, another strong performance by my friends teammates (Jeff, Matthew, Mikey, & Steve).
-BI stands as a unique TRI.  Conditions can alter any race-the beach run offers other intangibles.
-Will I be back to this race? Yes.  Will I be back next year? Not sure.
-Enjoyed the post-race lunch and hanging out with the guys.
-After two weeks of sufferfests, I'm losing motivation for racing.

The Blessing

The Blessing is a Rhode Island Classic.  In my opinion, the race stands as the ultimate measuring stick for runners in our little state.  I had two successful races back in 2003 and 2004 down in Gansett but I haven't been back since.  I had plenty of excuses not to come back over the years (injuries, distance, lack of interest, etc.).  After watching my WTAC teammates compete and excel in this race over the past few years, I decided that, if healthy, this was my year to come back.

I can't say I did any specific training for this race and focused my efforts on overall aerobic fitness and TRI training.  I had one simple goal in mind-break 60 minutes or bust.  Much to my surprise, I was assigned bib # 7 based off some really old performances.  I kind of chuckled at the number knowing it didn't really mean all that much but it also made me think about the past.  I thought to myself, "what would I do to run this race in 56 today?"  Quite frankly, I don't think I appreciated it enough back then.  I thought about it for a little more and told myself to move on and focus on the here and now.

After waiting around most of the day, I head up to Gansett and hung out with Muddy and Jonny pre-race.  We went for a light warmup and were all in agreement that it was going to a hot night.  We headed to the starting line, caught up with Mikey, Gazelle, Matthew, and other WTACers, and it was go time!

Miles 1-4
The gun went off quick and I tried to settle in.  I knew there were some real studs in this race and that it was going to go out like a track meet.  I quickly spotted Matthew right near me and told myself to settle down.  Jonny also had a strong start and I was about 15 runners back from him.  I tried to run "easy" through mile 1 (5:44) and focused on settling in for mile 2 and beyond.  Through mile 2 (5:56) a ton of race jockeying continued on.  I was getting closer to Jonny and hoped to move up next to him to either run with him or do some of the work.  By mile 3 I was able to get up with Jonny and was feeling it. Although I knew it was going to be a long race, I thought of the prospect of being able to work with Jonny and Muddy through the race.  My splits for miles 3 and 4 were 5:50 and 5:58.

Miles 5-8
By the time I was made it to mile 5, I was slowing down.  Throughout the race to this point, I hit just about every water stop or ran under any hose that was out there.  Regardless of how much I drank or how I wet I tried to get, nothing was enough.  Running on 108, I was hating the race.  My splits were getting slower and I felt like I was getting weaker. I hit my 5 with a split of 6:04 and the halfway point around 29:45.  I knew the prospect of breaking 60 wasn't going to get any easier.  I just wanted to get off 108 and stopped paying attention to my watch splits because I knew they weren't good.
Splits were 6 (6:18, slowest of the day), 7 (6:03, and 8 (6:08).

I think I drank at almost every water stop and it still didn't feel like enough.
Photo courtesy of Beth E.

Miles 9-10
Reaching mile 9 was hopeful.  I wasn't feeling any faster but knew the finish wasn't too far away. Spectators were encouraging and it was a block party type atmosphere.  Even though I was getting close, I still took any water I could get.  I crossed mile 9 in 6:02 and actually passed two guys. Encouraging but it didn't mean much.  I just wanted to finish.  Prior to hitting mile 9, I thought my goal of breaking 60 was completely out the window but it did remain a possibility.  The problem was that I was running on empty.  I'd try to get as close as I could but just wasn't sure.  I finally crossed the line in 60:15.  Ran my last mile in 5:51.  Overall place was 31st.

Finally in the home stretch.  I felt like I had no gas left in the tank.
Photo courtesy of Jana W.

Over 60 minutes..err.  At least I was done.
Photo courtesy of Beth E.

Thoughts
-Despite the nasty humidity and dew point, I was still disappointed with not breaking 60 minutes.  I know I wasn't far off but the bottom line is that I didn't meet it.
-I was satisfied with my overall placing and I can't think of anything differently I would have done tactically.
-The atmosphere was like a block party.  Spectators were extremely supportive with manning water stops and spraying down runners with hoses.  Take those stops away and it could have been a really bad day out there.
-The 10 mile race distance is fantastic.
-WTAC still did quite well.  Here are some observations-
Matthew-12th overall-57:42 and just getting faster and faster.  I think he would have been under 56 on a nice night.
Muddy-37th. 1:01:31. Would have been a few minutes faster on a better night.  Still placed really high.
Jonny-40th. 1:02:10. Ditto my comments about Muddy.  He also placed 3rd in his division.  If you are placing at the Blessing, I'm impressed.
Jonny E.-49th. 1:03:10.  Another fast young guy!
Gazelle-81st. 1:04:58.  1st in his division.  Definitely would have ran minutes faster as well.
Mikey-157th. 1:10:53.  Worked hard on a tough night.  Ditto my comments about minutes faster on a cooler night.
*With over 2400 finishers, I think we would have held our own in a team competition.
-Mile 6 was the slowest for almost all of us.
-I love and hate this race.
-I hope to be back next year to get under 60 minutes.