Pinehurst 2008 Race Report

Here is my full race report for Pinehurst 2008. You might also want to read why I almost didn’t do this race in my quick race recap from yesterday.

Official Results

Swim 1500 meters: 26:30, 2nd AG, 159 avg bpm
T1: 1:50
Bike 24 miles: 1:09:48, 1st AG, 12th OF, 162 avg bpm [Note: in 2009 they changed the bike course to 30 miles]
T2: 1:20
Run 10k: 53:53, 10th AG, 170 avg bpm
Overall: 2:33:18, 2nd AG, 20th OF, 164 avg bpm

link to complete course on BT http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/map.asp?routeid=68445

Pre-race routine:

My goal for this race was to cut 8 minutes off last year’s time, giving me a 2:40. I had planned on cutting 2 minutes off the swim by either drafting off someone I knew, or going hard. And I wanted to cut 6 minutes off my dismal run split from last year (which was 1:01). I knew I could get the same bike split with less effort this year because I am stronger and have a better bike. Turns out I slashed that goal and got a 2:33:18, 2nd place AG!

My mantra for this race was “Don’t think you are fast, Know it”. Morpheus says that to Neo in “The Matrix”. Some BT’r has that in their sig file. It totally worked for me to day.

Event warmup:

Got lost once again on the way to this race! All I had time for was a few running strides in the grass.

Swim

At the swim start, I looked for one of my competitor’s who wears an orange wetsuit. I was planning to try and draft off her. I didn’t see her (she didn’t show up today, lucky for me!). I had planned on going hard in the swim, so I worked my way up to the front. The horn went off, and I swam hard for about 10 minutes. That was great, because it got me away from the jostling pack. It was hard to see the buoys because of a mist on the water (photos). I stopped too much trying to find the buoys. I ended up just following the people in front of me. That worked. The way back was easier to see so I swam strong, straight and hard to make up for lost time. I looked at my watch when I exited the water and it said 26 minutes! WOW, that is a top swim time. I wondered if I was first out of the water for my AG. (Turns out, I was second).

What would you do differently?: Trust my instinct to follow the crowd when I can’t see the buoys.

Bike

I had planned on trying to keep my HR at 155 for the bike. From my other races this season, I figured that would give me a good split, yet not trash my legs. I also wanted to try and keep my average speed at 20.1 mph, which would give me the same bike split I got last year.

I spent the first half of the course just trying to get around people. This race is big (800 cap), and the bike course is just way too crowded. All I could think of during this time was “I’m never doing this race again!”. So many people lollygagging on the left and getting in my way. I yelled at alot of folks, and I don’t feel bad about it. They should learn the rules of racing. One guy even started to drag race me as I passed him, just when a USAT official went by…you are supposed to drop back as soon as someone’s wheel gets in front of yours. I was afraid I’d get a penalty for violating the 15 second rule. Luckily I did not. I yelled at that guy telling him he was supposed to drop back, but he just kept drag racing. JERK (I just yelled that part inside my head!).

I constantly checked my HR and it was always in the 160’s. Higher than I wanted, but my legs were not burning and my breathing was controlled, so I went by feel instead of HR. In retrospect, I think my HR was up due to anger! My average speed floated between 20.1 – 20.7 mph.

The second half was better, as I had gotten in front of alot of those people. I could then relax, and focus on holding a tight aero position and riding strong.

When we passed the parking area, I looked at my time and it was 1:07. OMG, my bike split was going to be awesome. I had put in a great swim, and hadn’t seen anyone in my age group on the bike course, so I thought I must be in first place. (I was, I had passed one female at the start of the bike, but didn’t know it).

Run

I started running at what felt like a good solid pace. My HR was in the high 160’s, I was breathing kind of hard, but I felt like I could hold this for a long time.

The entire run I imagined I was Neo controlling the Matrix (Universe) making myself run fast and everyone else not. I got to the first mile marker and my time was 8:37. Given the hills on this course, I was pleased with that pace, and if I could hold onto it, I would meet my 55 min goal. I also hoped I could hold onto a podium spot.

By mile three, still noone had passed me. I wondered where all the super fast chicks were. There were at least two that I knew could almost match my swim and bike times, and were better runners. Where were they? Were they in front of me? I didn’t think so, because I really put in such fast swim and bike splits. (Turns out, those two women didn’t show up today – lucky for me!)

I carried my own palm holder water bottle, so did not waste any time at aid stations. I did eat a Gu at mile 4 and grabbed a cup at that station and washed down the Gu. I did it all very fast, tho, so didn’t lose much time.

At mile 4, it got hard to keep up my pace, but I kept imagining I was Neo and controlled the world. Just then, a woman with 47 on her leg passed me. She was wearing a team Aquaphor uniform. I tried to pick up my pace to match hers, but it was too hard and I thought I would fall apart if I kept trying. That shook my confidence for a couple minutes. I started thinking “Oh no, here come all the super fast runners, and I’m going to lose my podium spot!” Then I told myself it was just a glitch in the matrix, and that it wouldn’t happen again.

Shortly after, my coach/friend Jon rode up to check on me on his bike (he had finished his race long ago!). I told him I thought I was in 2nd place, and that ‘Aquaphor Chick’ up ahead had just passed me. I asked him to scope out behind me. (My friends Scott and Rebecca Dewire gave me that idea). Jon scouted the runners behind me, and returned saying that he hadn’t seen anyone in my age group. I didn’t know how far back he had checked, and with 2 more miles to go, a super fast runner could gain 3 minutes on me. So, I pretended someone was on my tail and kept up a hard pace.

In the final 1/4 mile, I started glancing behind me. I saw one female about 25 yards back. I couldn’t tell her age, but I started going all out not wanting to lose my 2nd place spot. I made such a mad dash for the finish, that I collapsed in exhaustion after handing in my chip. Several folks asked me if I needed medical attention. I just smiled hugely and said “Nope, I just left it all on the race course today.” Some guy said “That’s how you want to finish a race!”. I had envisioned this race ending in just that way.

What would you do differently?: Nothing. Great run.

Post race

Warm down:

Laid in the grass for several minutes after collapsing. Then the desire for a cold drink motivated me to get up and head for the food tent. I met BT`rs: Keith(Kapinto), Dick(spot), Bill (fgump) and Alice(love2tri). I looked for Carol(Running_in_NC) but couldn’t find you. Didn’t see Andrew(firefighter57) and still haven’t met Nick(NickinNC).

The woman who passed me in the run, “Aquaphor Chick”, was named Ginger. We chatted for quite a while after the race. We talked about how cycling makes our quads so huge, that we can’t wear women’s jeans – LOL! (I love my huge quads, btw.) So, I’ve made another friend out of a rival. Oh, speaking of rival friends, I saw Maureen, too. I enjoyed seeing her again and we had a nice chat, and I introduced her to my BT buds. I also ran into my swimming buddy Tom H and introduced him to my friend/coach, Jon. So many great folks to meet at the races!

I feel so lucky! I still can’t believe how well I did. Just goes to show you how a good training plan, good tapering, and strong mental effort, and a some good old fashioned luck can all come together on race day. Also helps to have an awesome new tri bike 🙂

HR data:
overall: 164 avg / 178 max
swim: 159 avg / 174 end
bike: 162 avg / 155 end
run: 170 avg / 178 end