RW Olympic

RW Olympic Distance Tri
RESULTS
2:29:58, 2nd overall

Splits

Your swim time was 23:20.
Your first transition time was 01:04.
Your bike time was 1:23:23.
Your second transition time was 01:26.
Your run time was 40:45.

{Break down of my splits received from timing services)

Pre-race

Heading into this race, I was concerned about the lack of biking I did this year and a nagging injury that appeared about five days before the race.  With the help of some friends, I was able to get a pre-race treatment that helped me out on the run and took away some anxiety I was feeling about completely blowing up and getting more hurt out there.  With this race being as close to home as any, it was nice not having to travel to a race.

Swim-1 mile-23:20

This year's swim would be involve two ocean loops.  To make things even more interesting, competitors had to get out of the water after the first loop, jog down the beach, and jump back in for the second lap.  I ended up having one of the better swims on the day.  I was able to get into a pretty good groove out there and felt comfortable.  As I strategized the remainder of my race in the water, I knew having a strong swim and run would be essential to any potential success.

After the first loop

Out of the water and one of the better swims on the day!

T1: uneventful.

Bike-26.5 miles-1:23:23

The night prior to the race competitors were informed that the bike course would be changing due to construction.  The course ended up being a few miles shorter than previous years but was equally challenging.  There are some pretty difficult climbs along the way and these climbs stretched out the TRI pretty quickly.  For the majority of the bike ride, I ended up getting rocked.  It was demoralizing to have bikers going flying by and not being able to respond to their moves.  I did my best out there but it wasn't good enough.   Based off my own calculations, I averaged about 19 mph.  Coming into transition, I had no idea what place I was in but felt like I was "back" there.

Riding

Coming into T2

T2: Parched.  I was pretty tired from the bike and did not take any fluids up to this point in the race. Regardless of time impact, I was gulping down a Gatorade.  Leaving T2, I was feeling pretty headed (both literally and figuratively) after my poor ride.  I was looking to offer some payback to the some of the athletes who went flying by me.

Run: 6.5 miles, 40:45

Home turf.  My strength. Once I started my run, I tried not to let my emotions take over and reminded myself that I was feeling pretty beat and not to get too aggressive too soon.   Since I didn't have a GPS watch on, I ran off feel and whoever may be in front of me.  Running down Atlantic, there was a headwind.  Once I turned on Weekapaug Road, the heat settled in.  I felt like I was struggling until I reached the top of Noyes Neck Road.  While I may have felt a struggle, I was passing everyone who passed me on the bike and it felt pretty good.  Coming along Atlantic Ave, I felt strong.  Approaching the Old Town Teach, there was one competitor in front of me.  I was able to overtake him, we exchanged well wishes in the form of grunts, and I headed for the finish line.  I ended up running at around 6:15 pace for the run and was happy with my effort.  After crossing the line, I was informed I placed 2nd.  I was thrilled with my overall placing.

On a mission!

Post race:

Quickly caught up  with my family and Jeff and Matthew (who competed in the Sprint race and were trying to catch the end of the Olympic Marathon), packed up my gear in transition, took a jump in the ocean, and went home.  After having Shara wait around all day for me, I didn't think it was fair to make her wait even longer for awards.

Thoughts:

-Positives: happy with my swim, run, and overall placing.  My foot and left side were giving me issues pre-race and I don't feel like it impacted my performances.  

-I love to compete but after a sufferfest of summer racing, I was happy not to have any big races coming up.

-My bike ride stunk.  I have no one to blame for except myself and the time I did not spend on the time this year.  Moving forward, I know I need to ride more but also do not enjoy spending hours on end on the machine.  The top riders are have better bikes and based off how much I ride, I'm just fine with the one I own.  This area is a weakness and probably a focus area for 2017.

-This may be my last TRI of the year due to other commitments.  I only raced three this year and this sport still intrigues me and I have room for growth.

-Looming injury.  As I previously mentioned, I received some help from friends to get a pre-race treatment in.  Post-race-the issues came back and I think I have issues with my alignment.  Various areas of my left side are my ailments.  The key areas of discomfort and pain are my upper back/neck, bottom of foot, and back of my heel.  I need to get into PT and address these issues before they get worse.