Thank you Dev and everyone else for all the support. I'm surprised to find this thread. I figured it would take my first pro win to earn it! I'll post a race report on my blog asap, but I'll comment on a few things here.
I'm coming off a seven month "off-season" during which I invested more time and effort in training than ever before. Prior to arriving in Texas at the start of April, I did 90%+ my running on the treadmill and 100% of my cycling on the CompuTrainer over the winter. I've come to value indoor training very highly.
Texas 70.3 was my first attempt at back-to-back 70.3s, having taken a very tough 4th at NOLA 70.3 the week before. This was uncharted territory for me and I was unsure how my body would respond. It's an efficient way to race if you can pull it off: one build, one taper, one flight in this case for two opportunities to nail it. I'll do it again for sure.
Texas 70.3 was my pro debut last year. My mindset and fitness have come a long way since then. Last year, I questioned whether or not I even belonged in the pro ranks, but this year, I wanted nothing less than the podium. I owe my development to my coach, David Tilbury-Davis (tilburs), and swim coach, Tim Floyd (Magnolia Masters, SnappingT on ST). Without their guidance, I would still be a burnout case on a very different trajectory in the sport.
I don't tend to check start lists, since I find that helps avoid preconceiving where I should end up, especially with my limited pro race experience. I couldn't help but notice veterans like Potts, Bennett and Cunnigham at the pro briefing—who probably each have more pro wins than years I've been alive—not to mention up-and-comers like Sanders. This race was just a P-500, but the growing depth of long course talent and the consolidation of Ironman pro races are making soft fields a thing of the past.
I've been working hard with Tim to improve my swimming. I limited my losses to just over 2mins to Potts et al. in my first non-wetsuit swim, but this is still an unacceptable weakness for the level I'd like to compete at. More work ahead...
For the second week in a row, the ride was very tactical. The power file and some analysis are
posted on Strava. I continue to be astounded by the draft advantage at the legal 12m spacing and by how much it influences the dynamics of the pro race. My races last year more closely resembled a steady TT as I was farther back out of the water, riding up through sparser fields. I'm now a big advocate for the 20m draft zone Challenge has adopted for some races.
I'm more confident in my running this year and didn't mind biding my time and riding efficiently in the pack. I ran the first lap shoulder to shoulder with Lionel Sanders and Andy Potts going out in sub-1:10 pace, which was surreal. I felt great and began to get excited since they both appeared to be suffering. But I'm no stranger to racing Lionel (we've raced locally in Ontario many times) and knew to not underestimate him. Sure enough, he and Potts gradually pulled away as the ambitious pace caught up with me.
I'm now heading back to Canada to put in a two month block leading into Tremblant 70.3 followed by either Challenge St. Andrews or Muskoka 70.3. Thanks again for following my progress!
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