My season is finally over, but I was very thrilled to have the opportunity to race in Clearwater, Fl for the 70.3 World Championship in only my second year of racing, I came into this race with few expectations, the main goal for me was to enjoy the experience and race hard.
Swim:
The weather was throughout the week with temps in the low 80s...perfect!!! We were the last age group (19-29) to go off for the day, 8am. There were about 200 in our wave which made for a very chaotic swim start. I figured since it was the world champs I would start in the second row to allow the faster swimmers to go and to avoid bumps and kicks of usual races....I was completely wrong. The first 300m of the swim was a like a cage match, a true swim start that so many experience. Next time ill take my chances up front.
Once I found open water I knew I had a lot of ground to make, it was pretty much smooth sailing from here as I pushed hard to get back into the race. I also quickly got over my fear of swimming in ocean water after the mayhem of the swim start.
Swim: 30:36 (343 OA, 50 AG)
T1: 3:39
Into T1 I went, I found my bag pretty smoothly, headed into the tent and had very little problems getting ready for the bike.
Bike:
I've heard nothing good about this bike course like how flat, fast and the drafting that ensues. I didn't take long for me to realize this problem among age groupers. Coming out of T1 I hopped onto my bike but had to soon get off when my chain fell off....yikes!!! At about mile 7 I was stuck in a small peleton that was difficult or to dangerous to get around What made my day was when a rider (in my age group) rolled up to our group and informed us how "well we were doing for a peleton"...as he tried to break away from our group I quickly chased him down to put him and his mouth back in line where he belongs. What made my day is that I would soon pass him again as he waited ever so patiently in the penalty box.....LOL!!!
Once we reached the highway, our Sunday cruise quickly thinned out especially when the race officials rode by from here I backed off the group not taking the chance of a penalty. I rode back the rest of the ride solo, I was passed by many more groups that were literally wheel to wheel. But I tried hard to stay true to the sport and myself. It was also too much of a risk to ride in a group in that triathletes are not the best riders in groups. This was very real when I saw over a dozen athletes either being carried off on a stretcher, being attended to by medics or road rash from head to toe.
Bike: 2:24:29
T2: 2:16
T2 my legs felt really good coming off the bike. I handed my bike of to the volunteers, found my bag and was quickly out the tent off to the run.
The course was a two loop out and back course. The toughest part of the run was going over the causeway bridge 4 times. On my first loop my legs were feeling great, I was making up some lost time on the other athletes. This race I was able to role through the aid-stations without walking. My main source of calories on the run was the new Ironman Perform, not to sure about this new form or "Gatorade" like drink , but it had to do. As on the bike I was able to make up more ground on athletes as I ran up the bridge.
The first lap felt like it flew by but it was the second lap in which "all hell broke loose". By about mile 8 I wasn't sure if my legs were still attached. From here it was survival mode. Coming into the race I backed off my running due to an injury on my foot. Not only am I a weak runner to begin with, this injury made me really worried on how I would do or even survive the most important part of the race.
I kept chugging with two goals in mind.
1) Don't walk
2) get to the finish
I reminding myself that he fastest way to the finish was running. Once I came to the roundabout just before the finish I smiled and painfully cruised in. FINISH!!!!!
Run: 1:37:21 (547 OA, 75 AG)
I was happy with the how the race went and my effort. I couldn't expect too much, with this being my 2nd half-Ironman so far and it being worlds. There were a lot things I took away from this race that I know will make me a better athlete. I head into the off season pumped and eager for new challenges that await for me next season as I step up my game and training. For now its 2 weeks of R&R....and I'm loving it.
