Hello Slowtwitch!
I am currently in the UK getting ready for Leeds WTS, but wanted to offer up the opportunity to anyone who wanted to ask me about Alcatraz. The article is on the front page, and I am here to help clarify or get you that extra insight!
Great race and congratulations, Ben! Did you notice a different in your running power between sand, grass, and pavement? If so, did you try to hold a specific power for each terrain?
Who is the more laid back Adam or Scott (Superfly Podcast)?
Was it better winning 1st time or 2nd?
Great race and congratulations, Ben! Did you notice a different in your running power between sand, grass, and pavement? If so, did you try to hold a specific power for each terrain?
There is a definite difference in power on terrains. For this race I just focused on not going out too hard and keeping my breathing in check on the uphills. It was so varying holding a specific power would have been challenging (the bike was very similar).
What did your nutrition plan look like for this race compared to say a WTS race?
Who is the more laid back Adam or Scott (Superfly Podcast)?
Was it better winning 1st time or 2nd?
Yes
^^^actually my answer. Both are cool guys and a win is always great. 2nd maybe a bit sweeter as a repeat and a full tri
What did your nutrition plan look like for this race compared to say a WTS race?
Pretty similar. One bottle of drink (precision hydration) and a gel on the bike. One gel to start the run. Pretty simple overall.
Congrats on the win. I love seeing the young American talent win.
Good luck in Leeds.
Only question - do you worry about Sharks in the Alcatraz swim?
Did you have any doubts about out sprinting Cam Dye? Looked like a nail biter all the way to the end.
Should Greg Billington be announcing / commentating on race all the way?
At that water temp, do you use a neoprene cap? 2 silicone caps? Regular race cap? Any other measures to fight the cold?
Congrats on the win. I love seeing the young American talent win.
Good luck in Leeds.
Only question - do you worry about Sharks in the Alcatraz swim?
Thanks! And no not really. I did feel like I saw something out of the corner of my eye in the water at one point, but at the most that’s a seal or something similar…
Did you have any doubts about out sprinting Cam Dye? Looked like a nail biter all the way to the end.
No, I knew If I made it to the top of the presidio the second time it was literally all downhill from there. I have a lot of confidence in my sprint at this point, and just made sure to be fast enough to enjoy the finish and cross the line first.
Should Greg Billington be announcing / commentating on race all the way?
Yes! His Facebook Lives were amazing!!
At that water temp, do you use a neoprene cap? 2 silicone caps? Regular race cap? Any other measures to fight the cold?
They had it measured at 57 degrees. That is not too bad for the bay. I just wore a second cap under the race one. I do not like neoprene caps much because I feel like they are choking me. Makes me feel a bit claustrophobic.
Most see the iconic swim as the most challenging part of this race, what is your opinion of relative strain/difficulty between swim, bike, run?
Were you surprised at how much difference the swim makes to bike power and run speed ?
Do you train swim/bike brick like workouts ?
nothing to add or ask, just wanted to say congrats on the win and thanks for coming here and offering up info to us AGers!
What did you sight for right off the boat? Swim times were super fast but I think I took a bad line.
Congrats!
So glad you are doing Leeds - seems like an ITU course suited to your strengths. Both years most of the field was out of contention by T2. Year one the Brownlees led a small group away early. Last year was incredibly dramatic when they narrowly escaped the chase pack and got to the safety of the narrow section. Do you anticipate this strategy again this year? How important is it to you to be up front on the swim and hang on for dear life out of T1?