This weekend is the big race for the summer: The Wisconsin Triterium. It features a sprint and Olympics distance courses and is affiliated with The Best of the US triathlon and Badger State Games. The course in Verona features a quarry swim, challenging, hilly bike course and a nice run. In my run up to Ironman in 2005, I did the sprint course as my first triathlon. This year, I wanted to go back and complete my first International/Olympic distance race. Since I live relatively close, I have the opportunity to ride the bike course and take some mental notes. The first time I went, I incorrectly rode the loop section backwards and added a bit more because of a missed turn. Last Saturday, I went back and did the exact course (correctly this time) and was a bit surprised to see the course profile:
On the loop, the big hill up Observatory (mile 10 & 17) descends rapidly on the far side right into a left turn. Then you go immediately back up, down a smidge and then directly back up. The ride to and from the loop (first and last 5 miles) are also undulating, a portion of which is shared with the Ironman Wisconsin bike course. Like IM WI, you are rarely in the aero position, and it's all about spinning up the hills.
My nerves are being spent this week on how my legs will respond on the run. I'm not a good runner to begin with, and even worse after swimming and biking. I'm also at a bit of a loss on how to feed myself. With a predicted high of 89 for Sunday, I will need to drink plenty, replenish my electrolyte levels and eat some calories. I have a good idea of where and when to do this, I just have to remember to do it.
Here are my goals:
1500m swim: 20:30; for a 1:15/100y pace. That should put me into T1 with the leaders.
40K bike: 1:18:30; a 19 mph average. With the hills and the heat, I need to hold back a bit to make sure I have something for the run
10K run: 49:21; a 8 min/mi pace. That's a bit on the slower side, but I'm expecting to be hot and tired. I hope to negative split if possible.
Add that up for a 2:28:42 total. That makes my transitions important to keep it under the overriding 2:30 goal. (Gulp!)
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