Anyway...this year's race was great. Warmer than usual weather for this time of year - each year since 2005 that I have done the race I have been cold while waiting for my swim wave to enter the water. Not this year. Wasn't cold once and was not overly hot at any point either. Great temps.
The swim was pretty darn good. I got winded but never so bad that I had to stop swimming - and I felt like I kept a bunch of yellow caps in view the whole time which was good - means I was not last :) They had moved the start of the course further towards the main channel b/c the EPA people said the bacteria counts were too high. So...moving 75 yards down the beach really makes a difference huh? That is like the difference between Branson peeing in one side of the bathtub or the other - the water still has pee in it.... Whatever...I tried not to swallow too much water.
The bike was the best part of the race. I had really gotten specific with my bike training over the last 3 weeks by doing hill repeats on some hills in HC that resemble the hills on the LKN course. This really paid off b/c I felt super strong on all the hills and was able to sprint up all of them within my fitness level - and not explode my heart. This was the most enjoyable result of my preparation for the race - to train on hills with the intent of feeling good on hills during race day - and ACTUALLY feeling good on hills on race day. Amazing.
The run was HARD. Compared to previous years my overall training volume for this race was the lowest ever. My longest ride this summer was probably 30 miles and recently my runs had only been 35 - 40 minutes in length - at lower intensity levels. So I really wasn't totally surprised that coming off of the bike leg where I really hit it hard, that my run suffered. I felt like it took about 1 - 1.5 miles to get into a good rythym and start to get on "race pace." I had met a guy named Chris Helms at a Young Life event earlier in the week and as luck would have it he was doing the race. This 42 yr old stud made up 8 minutes on me and eventually passed me on the run at which point I mentally grabbed onto his jersey and vowed not to let him go. I would have been a lot slower if it had not been for him dragging me around the course.
Throughout the race as I moved from section to section I was fortunate enough to hear the yells of loved ones cheering me on. Not everybody has a family, parent-in-laws, and friends that will wake up at the crack of dawn, brave race traffic, long parking walks, and crowds to cheer you on....but I do. Karin and the kids were there screaming my name as I ran by. Bruce and Lynn have been a consistent face at my races since 2005 when Bruce also competed. And this year one of my two best friends in life were at the race with his spouse - Doug and Carmin. So to you, my cheering squad - thank you for coming out and even though our face time during the race is quick - your voices drive me on more than any sports drink!!. Thanks for being there.
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James, we are very proud of you!! Seriously -- what a WELL-DESICPLINED FIRST-CLASS ATHLETE you are!!! It's always so much fun to come and watch you in that amazing feat!!
ReplyDeletebut-hey -- where's the music on the video -- great shots -- but no sound?????