In like a Lamb…

Race Report Ironman Texas 70.3, Galveston, TX

April 1, 2012

March is supposed to be the month of polar conditions: either in like a lamb, and out like a lion, or the reverse, in like a lion, out like a lamb. My first race of the season in Galveston, TX was definitely in like a lamb. What can I say, it was a pretty terrible effort, I stumbled out of the starting blocks, I stalled on the runway, and I just plain didn’t make it off the ground. My training and preparation was solid, probably not quite as solid as I would have liked, but for the most part, the training parameters were all in line with being ready to race. Coach Cliff had me doing the right amount of intensity and volume to crack out a great 70.3 at the beginning of the year. Well things don’t always happen like I want and today was one of those days.

Race morning was very usual, nothing out of the ordinary. It was warm and humid but it was also windy. I didn’t feel stellar on my warm-up, but mostly because it was already so warm outside. I did feel great swimming this morning and my new TYR Freak of Nature wetsuit was simply amazing. I was annoyed at the start of the swim, because there was a mass false start. I really can’t stand the lack of respect for rules in triathlon, so many people find cheating acceptable. We need to do something about the rules, or the cheating. I would prefer the pro wave simply take a cue from the ITU and dive in from a pontoon at the start. A pontoon start seems to be the only fair solution, and those who false start are easily seen and penalized. Anyway, I was off and swimming at the front of the pack. I was comfortable and the pace was casual. About 15 minutes into the swim, I started to overheat. The water was a bit warm for a full sleeve wetsuit, and with the ridiculous rule of 76 degree wetsuit racing from the WTC, I was torn between wearing my super fast Freak of Nature, or using a sleeveless or speed suit and risk losing some valuable time in the swim. I didn’t think the water was that warm on race day, but apparently it was a lot warmer than I thought. I quickly dropped back in the pace line and tried to lengthen my stroke and glide as much as possible using minimal energy. I exited near the back of the front pack out of the water, but it was already too much. My HR was sky high and my super slow jog to transition, being passed by everyone behind me except Lance Armstrong, didn’t seem to help with the matter. Since the bike is kind of my thing, I was ready to lay down the hammer and with Lance behind me I was ready to hit it hard.

I tried to pull the throttle back on the bike, but for some reason I was stuck in second gear. My HR was still super high but worse yet, I was only putting out 250 watts, a very easy effort for me. I couldn’t get it going. I thought I just needed to keep going and hopefully the legs would come around in a couple of miles and I would be fine. I watched as athlete after athlete passed by seemingly at Mach V speeds. There was nothing I could d o to ride any faster, my throttle was simply broke. The last 40 minutes of the bike actually started to turn around for me and I was able to hold my Ironman (not 70.3) pace watts, but at this point it was too little too late. I was already totally out of the race. My 2:14 bike split put me 10 min out of the race. I got off the bike and decided I was going to have a solid run and make the most of the day. After all, I felt decent the last 40 minutes on the bikes, maybe things were turning around. I ran my first mile in 5:54, not great, but not awful, next mile 6:03, next mile 6:30, next mile 8:30, I stopped and walked a bit, my stomach was not right. I was dehydrated but couldn’t stomach the fluid at the aid stations. My legs were dead, my get up and go, got up and left. I ran a couple of 7:30 miles and ran to the part of the run course where Cliff and Ashley were standing. They both told me to shut it down and call it a day. Tough call to make, but it was time to look forward to the next race and finishing today would have just contributed to fatigue without any gains in fitness. I was not running fast enough to benefit from the session and being dehydrated would contribute to the damage. It was a rough day, and a DNF doesn’t ever feel good, but sometimes it is the right call, and it takes some maturity to know when it is the right call.

I was totally amazed and inspired by the championship performance of fellow Cliff English Coaching athlete, Tim O’Donnell. He showed some true grit winning the race in the last mile of the run.

Up next for me is New Orleans Ironman 70.3. Last year, I blew out my tire and had a nasty crash but still finished the race with a great run after riding the last two miles of the bike without a front tire (just rim). I have a bit of a personal grudge with this course, and this year, I’ll make it right. I want to make sure I can go out like a lion.

Cheers,

TJ