Came really close last weekend at Steelhead. Swim splits were identical, I gained 20 seconds in T1, then he biked 10 seconds faster (rode 45 miles together). Then I screwed the pooch in T2 gave up over 1 minute (got turned around and ran WAYYYY past my spot) and lost touch. Mentally was out, legs had no snap (B Race) and just went in salvage mode and cruised it in. He ran 3 minutes faster. I'm sure if I had a good T2, I come out 10-20 seconds ahead and we dual for 60-70 minutes before he finally pulls away (slightly stronger runner). In hindsight, I wish I had rode harder and put more time into him the last 4-5 miles, or even said piss on it and stayed with the AG leader, even if it meant meltdown on the run. You never know, he might have responded and crushed himself too. At it was he kept me at 10-20 seconds (within sight). Besides, it's a "B" race, you only live once. Why not gamble a little. You never know if you'll may actually have the fitness to touch it out on the run.
In June, same competitor, I can out 1 minute behind on the swim, rode 3' faster on the bike and we ran identical splits.
Finishing within 2 minutes of the same person, in 2 different 4+ hour races is pretty damn close racing. You're are or are almost within sight the whole time. We both have similar strengths and weakness, though he a little better runner gaining the upper hand when his "on form" and has TONS more experience. We faced each other again at IMWI. His 3rd time there i think, my 1st IM.
It's pretty cool because you feel like it forces you into a more pro-like tactical race and go by feel a little. You also get the sense that you have no choice but to go with them if you get passed on the bike. You just figure that if you are over biking... so are they... so screw it! You jsut trust that while you might run slower, you have enough fitness to still run the whole thing as long as you don't get too crazy on the bike.
Good thread. Those little AG battles out there are so much fun.
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