I know some of the ST crew raced and finished IMUSA yesterday, so congrats to all. I was out there with you, finishing in 11:20, my best time in four IMUSAs run.
A short report:
I had a great swim - it was something I’ve really worked on in the last year. After year after year of finishing in the 1:15 – 1:20 range, I popped out a 1:06. The swim crowd was as big as usual (almost 2,000 people started), but the start was not nearly so nasty as in years past as I think they widened the start line. Still, as all IMUSA’ers know, the closer you get to that underwater cable that outlines the inside of the course(shortest route), the crazier it gets, so I spent a lot of my swim to the outside, looking for feet to draft, and focusing on form. I was thrilled, and surprised, with my swim split.
My bike goal was 5:36 (20 mph avg), and I finished in about 5:37. Conditions were decent – warm enough at the start that I wasn’t shivering on the first few hills out of town on the first lap. The road was really crowded on my first lap. I was extremely cautious on the downhill to Keene, because of there being so many others around. The packs stayed together through most of the first lap until the long climbs near the end. Oh yes, there was drafting. I’ve heard a lot of penalties were handed out, though I was able to avoid the referees’ attention.
With less traffic, I was able to rip the Keene downhill on lap 2. I topped out at about 51 miles an hour. Exhilirating! There was a bit of wind on the second lap that I think slowed everyone down, but it could have been a hell of a lot worse. I was pleased with my bike split, which was also a big PR for me.
It’s a tough bike course, however you slice it. And for all the attention given to the last 12 miles of hills, I think the most deceptively hard area of the course is between Jay and the out and back. It starts with a steep climb out of Jay that goes for a mile or so. It flattens out but continues to go predominately uphill with shallower climbs and rolling hills for several miles. I burnt my legs a bit here on the first lap, but was able to recover.
I was gunning for a 4:00 run. My legs felt really good coming out of transition. I kept up a just-under 9:00 pace for the first 10-11 miles, but there was little shade on the first lap and it was pretty warm. And those big hills coming back into town on the first lap took it out of me. The 9:00 miles slipped to 10:00 and 11:00. I did have to walk a little on the second out and back, thanks to some cramps, but when I hit the 20-mile mark I told myself that I’d keep running until I hit the finish line. It wasn’t pretty, but I shuffled my way to the finish with a 4:24 split and a total time of 11:20.
A long day but a great day, and a great end to my months of preparation. My family came up, as usual, and really supported and inspired me. I am indebted! Congratulations to all finishers!
