April 26, 2009
10k Run - 38k Bike - 5k Run
Journey:
Ten of us left Chicago Friday night in two RV's for a 14 hour, 800 mile journey. In my RV three of us split driving duties. Geoff Scott took the first 6 hours, I took the next 6 an Scott brought us home.
Prerace: As I mounted my bike to head to the course, I dropped my chain. I noticed it was sliping gears so Geoff took a look. My chain was bent. I ride with Campy and Geoff only had Shimano. I went to race support and got a chain, which I wasn't clear on if it was Campy. $50, pay later was the deal. Turns out it was Shimano. The difference in width plays a factor in the race...
The bike was bad from the start. I took off and couldn't get into my front big ring. This wasn't a problem in the first 1/2 mile because it was uphill. After you get to the top of that hill, you go down the same 1/4 mile hill that the run started on. I could have used the big ring! This was an issue with the new chain. For about 14 miles I struggled to get the chain in the big ring a couple of times I was successful only to have it drop a minute later. On the final lap it stayed, but the damage was done, a lot of guys in my age group had passed. The heat was really getting to me, My piss warm water was dow to droplets with 7 miles to go. I powered to the bike finish. 1:11
Total: 2:09:51
Race: My race began at 10:50 AM, not exactly the crack of dawn. It was already 90+ degrees. My age group (30-35) was pretty small, I started at the front with the speedsters. One cocky guy with a deep southern drawl was pobing for goal paces. He wasn't getting any feedback. The race started with a steep downhill for about 1/4 mile. I felt smooth and comfortable. I sat back in 6th about 20 to 30 seconds off the leaders. Heading toward mile two you could see a freight train crossing the course. This obviously wasn't in the race coordinators plans. The train was slowing down as we waited. After about 7 minutes it came to a stop, only three cars short of clearing the road. In this time the entire field had rejoined, including the women who started 5 minutes after us. After a lot of confusion, yelling and even a death defying rogue male who jumped through the still moving train, we were given the signal to 'just go'. I finished the run in 35:22 in 9th place.
The bike was bad from the start. I took off and couldn't get into my front big ring. This wasn't a problem in the first 1/2 mile because it was uphill. After you get to the top of that hill, you go down the same 1/4 mile hill that the run started on. I could have used the big ring! This was an issue with the new chain. For about 14 miles I struggled to get the chain in the big ring a couple of times I was successful only to have it drop a minute later. On the final lap it stayed, but the damage was done, a lot of guys in my age group had passed. The heat was really getting to me, My piss warm water was dow to droplets with 7 miles to go. I powered to the bike finish. 1:11
Transitions were okay, approx. 50 seconds each. DU transitions are awesome, hat-shoes-go!
The last 5k was a struggle. My hams were tight, my quads were locking up, and I was very dehyrated. Fortunately the 5k course was a full 1/2 mile short. I walked the aid stations and hobbled home. I didn't lose or gain any position. 20 min.
10k: 35:22
T1: 0:52
38k: 1:11:47
T2: 0:59
5k: 20:53
Total: 2:09:51
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