This is my first race report so bare with me. A little background about my previous seasons leading into this one. Prior to the 2018 season, I had done 5 70.3’s and was in the upper mid-pack but wasn’t ever 100% serious with training (4:20s-4:30s). After graduating college, I decided to get serious and got a coach at the end of 2017. After a successful 2018, with 2 70.3 wins and a PR of 4:00:40, I knew 2019 could be great off I put in the work.
I lowered my run volume and increased swim, bike, and total volume. My 20 min CP increased from 370 to 408 watts over the winter and I was swimming faster than ever before.
I chose Gulf Coast because of the early season date and the fast course. I didn’t think the heat would be as big of a factor in early May, and PCB proved me wrong.
The swim ended up being wetsuit optional, and was actually red-flagged other than the race. The pro men hit the water at 5:45 am and the women followed at 5:50. I have been working hard on my swim all winter and I was pretty disappointed with conditions. The start was rolling and I got in a few minutes after the age groupers started. It was a beach start and I was immediately hit with 6+ foot waves as I entered. This was my first open water swim in over 6 months so I knew I was in damage control. I tried to swim hard and sight often, although seeing the buoys was difficult with the swells. I got out in 32:29 which I was happy with given that was the worst conditions I’ve ever swam in.
I got on the bike quickly and took off on the out-and-back course. I wanted to push 310 watts out and 320+ coming back if I felt good. Almost immediately, I could tell my legs weren’t gonna show up today. I did my best to push good power without digging myself into a hole and hit the turn-around in 1:01:30 with an average of 309 watts. I continued to drink as much water as I could with some salt tabs and Gu mixed in. There was a headwind for the ride back and my power continued to fall throughout the rest of the bike. I ended with a 2:06:44 (8th fastest bike) with an average of 303 watts. I was disappointed but knew I still had a good day going.
I hit the run hard but knew the heat was going to chew me up. I started off conservative to my race plan and averaged 5:45 for the first 10k. As I predicted, the 80+ degree, 95% humidity weather got to me and I faded the last 10k. I finished with a 1:17:30 which, again, was disappointing because I knew I’m in better shape than that.
After crossing, my family found me and told me I ended up being the fastest age grouper and landed in 5th overall, right in the mix with the pro guys in 4:00:22. I had the fastest run of the day my 3 mins, outrunning TJ Tolkson and Matt Russell. This made me feel a lot better about my performance but the sting of that 22 seconds still hurt.
I came away from this race with a new 70.3 PR, but more importantly, knowing that I can stand my ground in tough conditions and race with the big boys. Don’t worry, I plan on crushing 4 hours in Muncie in July.
I lowered my run volume and increased swim, bike, and total volume. My 20 min CP increased from 370 to 408 watts over the winter and I was swimming faster than ever before.
I chose Gulf Coast because of the early season date and the fast course. I didn’t think the heat would be as big of a factor in early May, and PCB proved me wrong.
The swim ended up being wetsuit optional, and was actually red-flagged other than the race. The pro men hit the water at 5:45 am and the women followed at 5:50. I have been working hard on my swim all winter and I was pretty disappointed with conditions. The start was rolling and I got in a few minutes after the age groupers started. It was a beach start and I was immediately hit with 6+ foot waves as I entered. This was my first open water swim in over 6 months so I knew I was in damage control. I tried to swim hard and sight often, although seeing the buoys was difficult with the swells. I got out in 32:29 which I was happy with given that was the worst conditions I’ve ever swam in.
I got on the bike quickly and took off on the out-and-back course. I wanted to push 310 watts out and 320+ coming back if I felt good. Almost immediately, I could tell my legs weren’t gonna show up today. I did my best to push good power without digging myself into a hole and hit the turn-around in 1:01:30 with an average of 309 watts. I continued to drink as much water as I could with some salt tabs and Gu mixed in. There was a headwind for the ride back and my power continued to fall throughout the rest of the bike. I ended with a 2:06:44 (8th fastest bike) with an average of 303 watts. I was disappointed but knew I still had a good day going.
I hit the run hard but knew the heat was going to chew me up. I started off conservative to my race plan and averaged 5:45 for the first 10k. As I predicted, the 80+ degree, 95% humidity weather got to me and I faded the last 10k. I finished with a 1:17:30 which, again, was disappointing because I knew I’m in better shape than that.
After crossing, my family found me and told me I ended up being the fastest age grouper and landed in 5th overall, right in the mix with the pro guys in 4:00:22. I had the fastest run of the day my 3 mins, outrunning TJ Tolkson and Matt Russell. This made me feel a lot better about my performance but the sting of that 22 seconds still hurt.
I came away from this race with a new 70.3 PR, but more importantly, knowing that I can stand my ground in tough conditions and race with the big boys. Don’t worry, I plan on crushing 4 hours in Muncie in July.