Interlochen Oly and sprint Tri held in Michigan this past weekend. About 3 1/2 hours away so I packed up the family and made a vacation out of it.
Woke up Sunday morning at 5:45, had to get ready in the bathroom since the family was sleeping. Had some hotel coffee to get the bowels in gear and headed out the door… Race was in Interlochen, MI (duck lake) about 12 miles from our hotel. It’s a very weird experience going to a race because the entire town is sleeping, nobody is on the road and then you pull up to the event and there’s 500 people in shape people walking around in spandex, with music blaring… Anyway I rack my bike, set up my shoes and crap in the transition area and get ready. At this point I’m very nervous about the swim once I looked out to the lake and saw the buoys and realize how far I have to swim.
Swim- Race starts at 8:00, my wave at 8:03. Water was 72 degrees which wasn’t bad at all, didn’t wear my wetsuit but a lot of people had them on. Water is nice and clear/clean, after about 200 yards in the bottom droped off and I can’t see anything. Felt good during the swim, didn’t panic about dying or drowning but I couldn’t swim straight. Must have swam 1800 yards from all the zig zaggin.A few people had to stop and pull out of the race, so I heard a couple “lifeguard! LIFEGUARD!” the swim course was a triangle couse keeping the buoys to your left. Existed the water about 15 minutes behind the leader, not good but I survived. I have to remind myselft that I couldn’t swim 10 yards freestyle 7 months ago and I just swam 1500 meters in a lake at 8:00 am!!
Bike-Oh did I mention it was raining? Not a big deal in the water but it made for a rough bike. Roads were wet and everyone was kicking up spray, after about 6 miles in the rain stopped and the sun came out. Passed quite a few people on the bike, felt like I said “on your left” about 20 times. Spoke with a few nice people out on the course. Great attitude and didn’t see any drafting!! Bike course was flat with a few rolling hills, averaged 20 mph over 24 miles which was my goal so I was happy about that… into the transition to drop off the bike and put on the shoes…
Run- The race was held at the Interlochen State park so the first 1/2 mile we ran thru the campground. People were out cheering us on and other people were packing up their camps … First 3 miles were shady dirt roads, then we turned left onto a major two lane road and encountered a huge hill. The hill must have been 3/4 mile to the top, which was our turn around. The hill was one of those steep “up north hills” hurt going up but was nice to come down. Passed about 10-12 people during the last 3 miles. Averaged 8 minute miles over the 6.2 mile run. Still felt like I had some energy left.
All in all I felt good about completing the swim but not happy about coming out of the water 15 minutes behind the leader. Good bike and run spits and glad to get another race under my belt. Still can’t figure out how to use all my energy, haven’t felt that punishing pain yet. 3 more weeks until the big boy **Steelhead **in St. Joe!!!
Side notes: This race was held by** 3 disciplines** and once again Kenny and the gang did an excellent Job. I have zero complaints about this or any of their event management and look forward to doing more 3 D races next summer.