Last week was my last Wednesday night crit of the year as it's time to go back to school. Figuring I definitely had nothing to lose, I decided to try to get away in the B race and try out the A race for the first time.
On the second lap of the B race there was a prime for $10 at Colter's BBQ. Having one BBQ prime from early in the season, I have been trying hard to get a second to make the trip to Arlington worthwhile. Sitting in the back, I didn't know there was a guy up the road so I took off and got a sizable gap and , even better, had two guys with me. Grabbing the second place bike fit prime I pushed on, taking turns with my two partners. Unfortunately, our time out front was only two laps and we were swallowed up by the group on lap four. I boded in the back and just a couple laps later there was another BBQ prime. With no one up the road, the pack didn't push the pace and I slowly worked my way to the front by the time we were halfway through the lap. I stood and sprinted off the front early, drawing only one challenger who pushed ahead of me and I grabbed his wheel. He faded just a little and I blew past him, chancing a glance back to see I had built a pretty sizable lead. After getting the $10 of BBQ I was pretty satisfied with my effort thus far.
A couple laps later my B race ended as there was a big acceleration that broke the pack up and forced me to unsuccessfully chase my way back into the race. Knowing I was done, I turned the opposite direction to do some easy spinning before the A race.
Twenty minutes later the A race began and I was really nervous. Standing on the starting line with Kyle Sigl and Stan Phillips was pretty intimidating so I stuck to the back. I had really good time in the race, even though I didn't last too long. I stayed in the group and tried to just hang on, which I did for four laps. On number 4 there was a big acceleration as a guy made a move up the left side and I had no chance to keep up as Stan and Dillon from ThinkCash pushed hard to bridge up and left me behind.
The next week (Aug 19th), I raced the final Trinity 5000 of the year, looking to break the season best of 16:33. Right away I was off the front and pushing hard. I went through the mile all alone in 5:14 and was already hurting a little and my mouth was dry from breathing hard in the heat. I went around the U-turn cone at 7:59 and knew the time was slipping away from me. Pressing alone I went past the 2 mile sign in 10:43, well off record pace. I was going to need to drop my time down on the last mile quite a bit, but I knew it was in reach if I pressed just a little bit more. As 16:00 ticked by and I had yet to reach 3 miles I knew the record was gone, but at least the victory wasn't. I crossed the finish in 16:48, a less-than-stellar performance but reasonable for the high temperatures and after an A.M. bike ride. Second place came across the finish line in the 17:40s; I took consolation knowing he finished the year as the overall series champion, but I really wanted to break the record as it was set by a certain professional triathlete...
Now I'm at school and hoping to keep up with my blog as much as possible, probably mostly on weekends. Expect Daily Headbang to take a little more priority as it is news. Thanks for reading!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wool Capital: Finding My Inner Cyclist
Finally I'm back in the game. Aside from a sub-par swim, I found myself on form at Wool Capital after a string of less than glistening performances.
After a good running warmup, I found myself a little late for a swim warmup. There was a prerace meeting the night before, so one race day was unexpected and just as I got my feet wet, athletes were called out of the water. I tried to get through as many arm rotations as possible to get everything going. Starting in the 3rd of three waves, I was 9 minutes behind the 40+ guys and 4 minutes behind the 30-39s. I started off probably a little too conservatively and didn't get any feet to follow because everyone took different paths to try to get through the curving swim course. Coming out in 25:30, I was a little disappointed but felt better than I did after going over 26 in Waco.
I got onto the bike and felt good right away. The first mile out the park was with the wind and I used that to get into a comfortable rhythm before facing a headwind the rest of the way to the turnaround. I stayed calm and pushed hard, past the level I am usually willing to go, knowing that a non-priority race is the place to try things out. After 29:30 of riding the leader passed me in the opposite direction, telling me I was probably closer than the 9 minute starting gap. At just over 32 minutes I passed Will Brewer who is in my age group, signaling that he was probably the leader of the race. To my shock, I came up on the turnaround in just over 33 minutes, giving me hope up going under 1:03 if I could ride the wind to its full potential.
I swung around the turn cone and quickly went up to speed, passing a couple guys right away to put me in 16th on the road. Flying faster than I ever thought possible for 20K I came into 2nd transition in 1:02:49, a 40 second PR for 40K, and moved myself into 15th. Posting one of the top transitions of the race, I passed two more people on the way out and got into a groove right away. I had no idea how far behind I was so I just had to push hard and hope for the best.
I cruised along the "Dirt Road From Hell," passing its many victims along the way. At 18:08 into the run (the course was out-and-back but not the same distance, still totaling 10K though) I passed Will who had already passed everyone that started in front of us. I got to the turnaround a minute later telling me there was hope if he wilted, and even better, I was 2nd in the race even though I was 7th on the road. I continued to push the pace as hard as I could until I reached 4 miles and started to really feel the ride and tough pace and hills of the run. I fell to about 6:30 pace the last couple miles but still posted the 2nd fastest run split with 38:28, ten seconds slower than Will. I crossed the line 4th but still finished 2nd in the end with a total time of 2:08:05, an Olympic Distance PR by more than 4 minutes!
I'm fired up right now and ready for some more racing. I know I'm fit right now and I can only get better as the countdown to the U.S. Open continues. The homestretch of the season is here and I'm ready!
After a good running warmup, I found myself a little late for a swim warmup. There was a prerace meeting the night before, so one race day was unexpected and just as I got my feet wet, athletes were called out of the water. I tried to get through as many arm rotations as possible to get everything going. Starting in the 3rd of three waves, I was 9 minutes behind the 40+ guys and 4 minutes behind the 30-39s. I started off probably a little too conservatively and didn't get any feet to follow because everyone took different paths to try to get through the curving swim course. Coming out in 25:30, I was a little disappointed but felt better than I did after going over 26 in Waco.
I got onto the bike and felt good right away. The first mile out the park was with the wind and I used that to get into a comfortable rhythm before facing a headwind the rest of the way to the turnaround. I stayed calm and pushed hard, past the level I am usually willing to go, knowing that a non-priority race is the place to try things out. After 29:30 of riding the leader passed me in the opposite direction, telling me I was probably closer than the 9 minute starting gap. At just over 32 minutes I passed Will Brewer who is in my age group, signaling that he was probably the leader of the race. To my shock, I came up on the turnaround in just over 33 minutes, giving me hope up going under 1:03 if I could ride the wind to its full potential.
I swung around the turn cone and quickly went up to speed, passing a couple guys right away to put me in 16th on the road. Flying faster than I ever thought possible for 20K I came into 2nd transition in 1:02:49, a 40 second PR for 40K, and moved myself into 15th. Posting one of the top transitions of the race, I passed two more people on the way out and got into a groove right away. I had no idea how far behind I was so I just had to push hard and hope for the best.
I cruised along the "Dirt Road From Hell," passing its many victims along the way. At 18:08 into the run (the course was out-and-back but not the same distance, still totaling 10K though) I passed Will who had already passed everyone that started in front of us. I got to the turnaround a minute later telling me there was hope if he wilted, and even better, I was 2nd in the race even though I was 7th on the road. I continued to push the pace as hard as I could until I reached 4 miles and started to really feel the ride and tough pace and hills of the run. I fell to about 6:30 pace the last couple miles but still posted the 2nd fastest run split with 38:28, ten seconds slower than Will. I crossed the line 4th but still finished 2nd in the end with a total time of 2:08:05, an Olympic Distance PR by more than 4 minutes!
I'm fired up right now and ready for some more racing. I know I'm fit right now and I can only get better as the countdown to the U.S. Open continues. The homestretch of the season is here and I'm ready!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Ready for Wool Capital
The last couple weeks have been really tough in the water. The extra volume and intensity have been getting to me in the extreme, and today, I finally got it cleared out. I was long overdue for a trip to Steve Looney's massage table, and I was in for a painful day. I don't think it's ever hurt that much! I was moaning and groaning as scar tissue and tension was cleaned from my upper body, but now I know it's well worth it. I feel better already, and am fired up for this race!
This week everything's felt a lot better than during the run-up to Waco. Just to maintain my mental high, I watched Javier Gomez's powerful win in London from a couple weeks ago and now I'm more pumped than ever. I have a lot of pent up race energy to let loose, and it's going to all come out this weekend!
This week everything's felt a lot better than during the run-up to Waco. Just to maintain my mental high, I watched Javier Gomez's powerful win in London from a couple weeks ago and now I'm more pumped than ever. I have a lot of pent up race energy to let loose, and it's going to all come out this weekend!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Waco Tri: Unlucky 13
Disaster. That was Waco. I got bib number 13 and wearing it upside down didn't help my luck (It's because I kept my bike number right side up). I checked into transition and the volunteer checked my brakes like is customary and then he asked if I wanted my front brakes closed. I told him no because they'll rub. Well, in the darkness of morning and the fact that he seemed to clearly understand what I meant, I didn't notice or think to check that my brakes might be rubbing...until 10K of the bike.
At that point in the race, after a swim where I threw up in the water due to swallowing a huge amount of river, I was dying. My bike average was barely more than 20mph and I was suffering. Up to then I just supposed that I was having an off day. Then I looked down at my computer and saw the brake, rubbing silently on my wheel. I opened it up and immediately went up to almost 25mph. Buoyed by this I tried to push on, but at 30K I threw up again and my legs gave out from the extra effort of the first 10K. Knowing my race was over but not wanting to withdraw, I jogged through the run, still posting the 8th fastest split and cruised to a seventh place overall finish, only 2:30 off the podium (which was all lost in that 10K).
I put in nearly twenty hours in the following week and am in the middle of another mini taper as I look to make up for the dismal performance in San Angelo at the Wool Capital Triathlon. We'll see how it goes...
At that point in the race, after a swim where I threw up in the water due to swallowing a huge amount of river, I was dying. My bike average was barely more than 20mph and I was suffering. Up to then I just supposed that I was having an off day. Then I looked down at my computer and saw the brake, rubbing silently on my wheel. I opened it up and immediately went up to almost 25mph. Buoyed by this I tried to push on, but at 30K I threw up again and my legs gave out from the extra effort of the first 10K. Knowing my race was over but not wanting to withdraw, I jogged through the run, still posting the 8th fastest split and cruised to a seventh place overall finish, only 2:30 off the podium (which was all lost in that 10K).
I put in nearly twenty hours in the following week and am in the middle of another mini taper as I look to make up for the dismal performance in San Angelo at the Wool Capital Triathlon. We'll see how it goes...
Friday, July 23, 2010
Finally Racing
Training's been great recently. My volume's gone way up so I'm hovering pretty close to 20 hours now. This week is recovery/mini taper as we head toward the Waco Triathlon this weekend. It's been 5 weeks since Hy-Vee so I'm looking forward to getting into a multisport race. The competition should be pretty good so it looks to be a lot of fun.
I think the biggest challenge recently has been the heat. Doing hard and long afternoon workouts when it's over 100 degrees is tough! I don't know if it's possible to drink enough. So far it's been 80 when I wake up in the morning and the temp only goes up from there. Weather aside, everything's been great. All three sports are definitely coming along. I'm feeling a lot faster in my quality sessions, especially on the bike. All the long rides and hard interval sessions are already paying off. I adjusted my seat height yesterday because I've been feeling a little cramped, then I realized it's been two years (two years!) since I moved my seat up. I did a short, fast trainer session yesterday and it felt a lot better. I think this is going to have a big impact on my race performance.
I'm heading down to Waco with Jacquelyn tomorrow and we're staying at a friend's apartment so as to avoid the hotel fee...should be fun! Thanks for reading!
I think the biggest challenge recently has been the heat. Doing hard and long afternoon workouts when it's over 100 degrees is tough! I don't know if it's possible to drink enough. So far it's been 80 when I wake up in the morning and the temp only goes up from there. Weather aside, everything's been great. All three sports are definitely coming along. I'm feeling a lot faster in my quality sessions, especially on the bike. All the long rides and hard interval sessions are already paying off. I adjusted my seat height yesterday because I've been feeling a little cramped, then I realized it's been two years (two years!) since I moved my seat up. I did a short, fast trainer session yesterday and it felt a lot better. I think this is going to have a big impact on my race performance.
I'm heading down to Waco with Jacquelyn tomorrow and we're staying at a friend's apartment so as to avoid the hotel fee...should be fun! Thanks for reading!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hitting Pavement...Kind Of
This weekend's Peach Pedal was definitely interesting. After carefully positioning myself to get into the lead group, I found myself in a bit of trouble after less than four miles. Going down a sweeping descent to a bridge, a few seemingly inexperienced guys at the back of the group slid on the wet pavement. I watched in horror as their brakes locked and they skidded across the road, bodies piling up everywhere, bikes flying. I had no choice but to slam on the brakes and aim for a fallen rider so I'd have a soft landing. Fortunately, I only banged up by right calf/knee a little bit and was able to finish, albeit mostly alone.
Austin and I trekked on together but he started to fade a little around 23 miles and I went by myself through 35 where I picked up Mark Whittier and his sister-in-law's boyfriend (JT). We stopped at the 40 mile rest stop where Austin caught up then we continued on. After 55 we lost JT and Mark stayed with him. After another mile Austin stopped at the final rest stop to pee and I continued on. Once I reached the finish I turned around and went back to look for Dad who was riding with a friend and didn't take part in the racing. All in all I recorded 69 miles, my farthest ever!
Yesterday I went to the Iron Brothers Sprint Triathlon with Jacquelyn and witnessed a pretty spectacular Team Ironhead 1,2,3 on the men's side and 1,2 on the women's side. If only I'd raced maybe we'd have gotten a 1,2,3,4...
This week is another build week then recovery next week leading up to the Olympic distance event at the Waco Triathlon. Looking forward to it!
Austin and I trekked on together but he started to fade a little around 23 miles and I went by myself through 35 where I picked up Mark Whittier and his sister-in-law's boyfriend (JT). We stopped at the 40 mile rest stop where Austin caught up then we continued on. After 55 we lost JT and Mark stayed with him. After another mile Austin stopped at the final rest stop to pee and I continued on. Once I reached the finish I turned around and went back to look for Dad who was riding with a friend and didn't take part in the racing. All in all I recorded 69 miles, my farthest ever!
Yesterday I went to the Iron Brothers Sprint Triathlon with Jacquelyn and witnessed a pretty spectacular Team Ironhead 1,2,3 on the men's side and 1,2 on the women's side. If only I'd raced maybe we'd have gotten a 1,2,3,4...
This week is another build week then recovery next week leading up to the Olympic distance event at the Waco Triathlon. Looking forward to it!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Recovery Week and Bike Racing
Last Week was a recovery week which meant testing once again. My performances were not great, probably due to increased fatigue from hard training. My first test was the bike, where I averaged 270 watts for 20 minutes, which, after a Wednesday race, Friday intervals, and Sunday long and hard ride, I was pretty happy even though I did 272 last time. The run was the next day, Thursday, where I was able to average 5:28 for 4x1 mile with 90 seconds rest. I started out conservatively in 5:33 and tried to bring it down from there. The swim was Friday, and was probably my most disappointing effort. I swam an 800 time trial in 11:02, 23 seconds slower than last time. I am buoyed though, by the knowledge that I hadn't shaved my legs for a couple weeks and that swimming in the boiling hot water at the Y is a lot different that the cool water at TCU where I can see my splits on the wall clock under the watching eye of Marcin.
Saturday was the Firecracker 100K. After a hectic start left me off the back of the main group, I found myself sitting in with the main Broken Films women. I'm happy to say that we fought hard and they earned second and third in the women's race.
After a Sunday long run, Tuesday brought the beginning of another hard week. I biked to the track at Aledo Middle School and immediately proceeded into a run of 16x400 @ 82-83 on 2:00. But I didn't do 82-83. I felt good. Just cruising I was able to average 79.04. It was great! I was just rolling and felt comfortable the whole time.
Wednesday was the return of the Wednesday crit after a week off for the 4th of July holiday. I attacked several times with Caleb of Lone Star but we couldn't get away. My only consolation was a relatively useless prime for an overly expensive bike fit. Next week I'm going to go for it and try for every prime, sprinting like it's the end. Today it's a hard swim and run then the Peach Pedal tomorrow. It's going to be great!
Saturday was the Firecracker 100K. After a hectic start left me off the back of the main group, I found myself sitting in with the main Broken Films women. I'm happy to say that we fought hard and they earned second and third in the women's race.
After a Sunday long run, Tuesday brought the beginning of another hard week. I biked to the track at Aledo Middle School and immediately proceeded into a run of 16x400 @ 82-83 on 2:00. But I didn't do 82-83. I felt good. Just cruising I was able to average 79.04. It was great! I was just rolling and felt comfortable the whole time.
Wednesday was the return of the Wednesday crit after a week off for the 4th of July holiday. I attacked several times with Caleb of Lone Star but we couldn't get away. My only consolation was a relatively useless prime for an overly expensive bike fit. Next week I'm going to go for it and try for every prime, sprinting like it's the end. Today it's a hard swim and run then the Peach Pedal tomorrow. It's going to be great!
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