Ok, I got mentally lazy yesterday afternoon and didn't sit at the computer at all, so here's my race report:
Check In, this is my second year in a row for this race and I've found athlete check in to be easy and quick both times. I don't think I took more than 10 minutes tops, including parking.
I'm not a fan of split transitions, but I took advantage of early T2 drop off, just wish this race would allow bike drop off early too.
Saturday morning everything was smooth and according to plan until 0640. My wave was 0705 and as the Pro men went off I was pulling on my wetsuit when my timing chip strap broke! The stitching holding the velcro on came undone! So I frantically ran to the front of transition hoping the RD had a booth with extra straps, but I couldn't find anything or anyone who knew anything. Luckily the medical tent had a huge box of safety pins, so I used five or six pins to hold the strap on my ankle. Of course I stabbed myself half-a-dozen times. Crap, this is not good.
I work my way through the crowd to my wave and finally settle down. Once in the water I felt relaxed, I've been swimming on the base side of the harbor (benefit of being stationed on Pendleton) so I was ready for the temperature. The horn sounds and I hit the start button on my watch and as I start to swim I notice the damn thing didn't start, oh well I'll try to grab a look at the clock when I get back to know how I did. The swim was mostly uneventful, gave as good as I got. But damned if I can't figure out why I am so much slower when I put a wetsuit on. Swim = 35:41
Out of the water and I start my watch as I cross the timing mat, at least I can get an accurate time on the bike. Think again! I dutifuly stuffed my wetsuit/cap/goggles into the bag and head off for bike out. I felt good and warm and I don't think it was raining yet so I decided no arm warmers and stuffed them in the bike bag as well. I executed a perfect flying mount (at least I think I did!). I didn't bother checking my watch until we hit Vandegrift Blvd, but it kept beeping so I knew something wasn't right. Once on Vandigrift I checked my watch and I had no HR and it was telling my GPS battery was low. WTF, I just charged it last night?! We zip on behind the commissary and down the hill, turn right onto Stuar tMesa and I check the watch again, this time it says my HR is 225 (my max is 186) and my speed is about 5 mph. Ok I see how this day is going, fuck pacing, let's go racing. I didn't look at my watch the rest of the ride except for an occasional peak at the time, which was amazing accurate. And to top everything off, it's raining! But I feel warm except my feet (had toe warmers on), but my feet get cold when it's sunny and 60 degrees so nothing unexpected here.
With the decision to race by pure feel I reached first big hill at San Mateo feeling WAY better than last year, and going up I just shifted into 39x25 and kept the effort as easy as I could. Glad I decided to go with the 25 this year. There was an annoying lady screaming at the top of the hill, we could hear her all the way at the bottom. I appreciate good spectators, but wow that got annoying about half way up. Flying down the back side into the 53 area my feet are now numb, which is good exactly what I expect.
Heading down hill to the 2nd no-passing zone I was in a line with four other guys, properly spaced I might add, when I notice the speed sign flashing 38mph. My first thought, "oh crap this is gonna suck, wet aluminum brack tracks!" Apparently the guys in front of me all realized the same thing at the same time and we all popped up onto the brakes hard, you could hear the grinding of grit on the brakes, it was awesome. We slowed enough to surivive the turn and just hammered afterwards. I had so much fun from Pulgas back to the air station. I felt like I was flying, unfortunately I have no data to back that up.
I hit Vandigrift and didn't notice much wind if any, so staying in my groove I rode well. I ride this road all the time and hate the shoulder so it's nice to ride in the lane. Fast forward to the approach to T2 and I feel oddly fresh, it's gonna be a good run. Flying dismount executed to prefection in front of the home crowd. Bike = 2:35:27
Since I haven't yet learned to pee on the bike I was dying in T2 and hit the port-a-john on the way out, giving a cursory look at my watch I see speed and HR are still jacked up. No biggie, just run. But here is where I was nervous, I've had what I think is PF over the last two weeks so I decided to run easy as to not aggravate it too badly. Remeber when I said my feet were numb? Still are at this point, I think my right foot thawed out by mile three and my left (the PF foot) by mile six. My left foot was slightly uncomfortable but not hurting, I just hold my pace which I figure to be about 7:00 miles.
Best sign of the day belongs to the ladies with the huge sign that said "Smile if you're not wearing underware". I had a good laugh there. With loop one in the books and heading back on loop two I realize I never saw where the finish splits off. I'm going to be pissed if I run past it. After I pass the 11 mile sign I check my time and calculate I'm doing good, better than last year, just wish I knew what my swim time was, though I assumed about 35 minutes. With 11 miles in and I feel good, no PF issue though a slight left IT band pain I assume is from me altering my gait trying not to stress my left foot too much. Time to speed up a bit, it's only two miles left. I was moving pretty good up the Strand and remaining vigilant for the finish split off. I see it but the volunteer was standing right in the middle of the way. No wonder I didn't see it before.
I finished strong, and suprisingly fresh. Much more so than all previous attempts at the 70.3 distance. Seeing the finish clock I knew I went sub-5 but by how much I don't know. I make my way though the finihsing chute and find the poor soul who has to remove all the safety pins from my now blinged out chip strap. Wow, I'm filthy, I have a great clean line around my anke. My wife is right there just beaming and screaming at my that I PRd. Run = 1:32:43
Final time 4:50:08
She had followed me online so she knew my splits. Course PR by 26 minutes, distance record by 10 minutes. Getting back to T2 was a bit hectic, but I eventually found everything. As I was looking for my morning clothes I came across Andy Potts and asked him how he did, his response is priceless, "I did ok"
Pure humility that guy, it was pleasure to meet him if only for a few minutes. He was more interested in how I did.
Overall a great day to race. Without being a slave to technology I had my best 70.3. I'm thinking I might just lose the technology for my next race too and see how it goes! Congrats to all other finishers, not the best conditions to race but you all killed it none the less.
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The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody
