Race Report Bangs Lake 2010

This brings my rookie triathlon season to a close with my 3^rd triathlon of the year (1 sprint and 2 Olympic distance).  I will now be focusing on the Chicago marathon in October.  Oh but wow what a season!!!!  I wish it was not over!!!!

It is so true you learn things every time you participate.  The swim was wetsuit legal with a temp of 75 degrees.  This was a concern with all the warm temps we have been having.  This swim was the most challenging to date….  There were not enough buoys marking the course so navigating was a challenge.  Also, every tri-athlete that I spoke with agreed that today’s swim was WAY long; it was supposed to be a 1.5K and it felt more like 1.2 miles or more.  This was a point to point swim and getting from the start to point A took forever!!!  Then we made the turn and the next buoy was not in view from the turn as it was at the exit point.  Anyone with very poor vision like me if they had no swimmers ahead of them had a tough time.  Thank God I had many to followJ  The wind was coming out of SSW, which we were now heading into.  I learned today to make sure not to open your mouth too wide when you are sighting into the wind.  Big wave in the mouth and it took a couple of good coughs to get clear again.  I felt strong and fluid with my stroke and was making my way through the field just as I have done on my previous 2 races….just did not get rewarded with a good time 30:04.  This included a run of about 100 yards to the timing mat for T1 then another 75 yards to T1.

Then a wonderful thing happened one of my training buddies, Mark Hemstreet, was there cheering me on and reminding me of my game plan for the bike.  I tend to get to aggressive on the bike.  This was unexpected and pumped me up and helped me settle down and work my game plan.  THANK YOU Mark for showing up and cheering me on!!!!

T1 went smooth and my best to date even with the long transition area (experience really is the best teacher).  I also had the advice of Steve Dayon going through my head “steady with a purpose”.  Thanks again Steve!!!

Now for the bike…  This was a great course for me lots of rolling hills.  Steve helped me come up with the game plan that Mark was reminding me about.  We used my heart rate as a governor for the bike.  Game plan was to stay between 148 and 153 average.  My first 4 miles or so I could not get my rate below 160 but I was feeling good.  I think it was adrenaline.  As my HR settled down after that to my target zone, I had a very strong bike 1:02:01 my best of the year.  Missed by target zone by 3 averaged 156 for the ride but felt great.

T2 went smooth took a little longer then I planned but there was quite a distance to cover.  All and all a win in my mind!

Now for the run…  I have been struggling all year with the transition from bike to run and this will definitely be a limiter to work on for next year.  My game plan was to keep my heart rate at 163 or less for first 2 miles and if I was feeling good I would open it up.  Good news is the bike plan worked this is the best I have felt all year with the run after bikeJ  This was a very challenging course as it had lots of hills and some felt like they were straight up.  In fact at the top of one of the walls there was photographer… I bet he got lots of intense pain shots!!!  Somewhere between mile 3.5 and 4 a bee flew in my open jersey top and stung me.  Good news is I am not allergic so just some extra pain.  Well with the hills I did not feel like kicking in the extra effort to go faster but this was my best run by far 45:09 or 7:17 pace.  I ran faster on a hilly sprint distance course but I think the win here is I executed my game plan.  All and all a good run!

So total race time 2:21:48 seconds.  47^th overall and 10^th in my division. 

I want to take a moment and thank God for the talent, determination and people he has brought into my life!!!  He has truly blessed me and I hope I am serving Him well!!!

I want to thank my loving wife Susannah for all her support!!!  She has allowed me to spend way too much money on this sport that I have fallen in love with as well as put the training time in.  Thank you honey!!!  I could not do it without you!!!  A special thanks to the love and support that I get from my beautiful children.  I love you Caitlin, Will, Aaron and Evan!!!

I want to thank my training group (Steve, Mark, Jamie, Ken, Geoff, Earl, Mike S, Mike B, Whitney) I am sure that I am forgetting some and it is not intentional!!!  However, thanks all for your support, advice, friendship, and the constant push to get better!!!  You have all helped me so much this year!!!

Well this sadly brings my 2010 triathlon season to a close but I am wiser, have more experience and ready to train hard and have a great 2011 season.  Now it is time to finish prep for the marathon and hopefully have a solid PR.

Thanks for reading!

David