July 2007 Archives

I was originally going to miss Aquathon #2 because work-related travels. Then, it was rescheduled to July 8 due to weather. Sweet! I can go. But, in the end, I skipped it because of WIBA and the really hot day. I kinda regretted it because I missed out on an opportunity to pick up some series points, but on the other hand, I would've sucked. So the best spot for me was on my couch. So now Auqathon #3 rolls around, four days after my last race in Pewaukee. Work was really beating me up, so I had only run in the four days between the races. Some call it lazy. I called it a taper.

I set off to the course with my new race shoes (Asics DS Trainers) in tow. I'm scanning the transition zone and don't see the top swimmers there. (Score!) The wind was very calm, so the lake was friendly and the temperature perfect. I see John and offer some tips. He was excited and nervous for his first multisport race. (He raced really well and overcame some swimming demons. He admitted to me after that he's hooked and ready for his first tri.) I warm-up, recognize some other faces and say hello, and line up for the swim.

SWIM
And just like that we're off. No build-up, just a five second count and an audible, "GO!" I run as far as I could, follow-up with a couple dolphin dives and then start swimming. On my last dive, I didn't tuck my head and both goggles filled with water. Mostly blind, I could see just well enough to see the kayak leading us out. I hoped he was going to keep a straight line. As I thought, I was out first and leading the pack. I tried to keep my strokes long and breath to both sides. The water-filled goggles lead to some anxiety. But worse, they really screwed with my peripheral vision. I kept seeing arms next to me, like I was surrounded by swimmers. But really, it was the optics of the water refracting my arms into my field of view. At the first buoy, I emptied the goggles. So I went to from not being able to see because of water to not being able to see because of fog. "Oh well, just keep an eye on the kayak," I said to myself. Only after halfway back on the last leg of the course did my goggles clear. Either that or my contact slid back into it's proper spot. I finished and ran out of the water first, with a slightly slowish time of 11:10 for the 1000 meters. (I went 10:57 drafting in the first Aquathon.)

RUN
A relay ream passed me in transition, so I was second out on the run course. And it took nearly a half-mile for the fast runners to pass me. First it was just one, and then another. I held off the rest until just about half-way. On the way back only one woman passed me. Up the last hill, I didn't think anyone was too close. But on the homestretch, I could hear footfalls gaining, so I gave it all I could and finished five seconds in front of eighth place. Good thing, too, as he was in my age group. I split a 23:10 or something, and ended up four seconds slower overall from #1.

I still like my new shoes. They're light and fast. Now that I look the part, it's time to start acting like I belong. I need to take my run out. I can make it to the end, but I need to build on my swim lead to stay in front as long as possible.

In the end, I got first in my age group and seventh overall. With only two of three races completed in the series, I'm in six place in my age group. (Only the best 4 of the 5 races are counted.) If you take points only from two best races for everyone, then I'm in second place. I need to continue placing well and hopefully I'll come away with some hardware.

Pewaukee Triathlon
July 15, 2007

1/4 mi S / 16.4 mi B / 3.1 mi R

Executive Summary:
Swim, 5:19: had to sight every stroke on way out to not hit others
Bike, 41:29: wicked crowded course, yelled at nearly everyone to get right; possibly shorter than advertised.
Run, 22:48: felt great, kept it at slightly uncomfortable tempo run; should've stuck with guy from wave.
Total: 1:12:52, 4th in AG. Frustrated that swim was most disappointing part of day.

Detailed Story:
(This first part is basically a rant. If you don't want to read my complaints, you can skip to the swim section below.)

This race was organized by Midwest Sports Events, a part of their "five-star series." Throughout the day I thought, "five stars" -- yeah, right.

I rearranged my race schedule to host several folks for a large volume training on the Ironman Wisconsin course the previous weekend. This one fit nicely and according to the previous results, was fast and competitive. I signed up and had a buddy do the same to get into the same wave. The consequences of assigning waves according to the order in which you signed up didn't hit me then. I just thought it would be cool to directly compete with a friend. The impact of this wave assignment would literally hit my in the face later on.

I checked in on Saturday and found out I was in wave 24 of 31. At 50 people per wave, that puts the total athlete count at 1600+, 1200 of which would be on the course before me. Waves were scheduled to leave every two and a half minutes. Transition closed with the first wave departure at 6:30 AM. Transition didn't reopen until 9:45 AM.

At the site, the racks were assigned by wave. Nothing new here. However, the transition area was shoehorned in a parking lot between a very active rail line and several shops. This provided limited access. Thus, all the entry and exit points were on the same side of transition. The first wave were rewarded with racks there the entry points. So, if you were in a late wave like me, you had a lot more ground to cover. The racks them selves were also lacking quality. They were about six inches too short. In order to get my bike to stay up, I had to hook my brake levers over the bar. I don't like doing so. In a hurry you have a tendency to pull the bike back more than up. You can easily pull over an entire rack of bikes with enough force. Others with mountain bikes had even tougher luck. I saw one guy that didn't have the vertical brakes to hook on the bar. And his seat was too high to fit under the bar. So, he decided that his only option was to remove his rear wheel and hook the nose of his seat over the bar from behind. The wheel leaned up against the bike. I didn't see how the setup would work out.

The other implication of the site layout was lack of spectator access. There was no path along the shore along the main part of the race course. The official map said there was a path around the transition, behind the buildings and then around them to the sidewalk. Only there was no path. There were roots, leaves and rocks. And if you survived that, there was a wall you had to scramble up and down to get around the buildings. Not very spectator friendly at all.

PRE-RACE
I found my rack in the back of transition and set up. Then I went to get marked and my chip. The body marking volunteers must've lost their voices early on, because nobody could find them, and everyone lined up behind the ones they could see. The rest were on the far side of the chip pickup. Finally people got aggressive and sought out the markers. I got my marks and chip and made a mental note to pack a permanent marker in my transition bag for the next race. As I got marked, I noticed that the swim buoys were set up in a straight line. Hmmm...I guess that's what they mean by an out and back course. That should make it interesting.

I had time to get out for a short warm-up run. I saw and wished Michelle good luck. (She finished 3rd in her AG.) She looked fast and focused and mentioned that the kids race the day before was even more chaotic. Hard to believe, but I heard it from more than one person. I got out of transition by 6:30 and waited to meet my wife. She wouldn't make the assigned spot because of the poor spectator access. As I waited, I spoke with someone that e-mailed the race staff about a waiting list as the race was already closed by the time he found he was to going to be in town. Instead, they signed him right up without hesitation. Apparently the last wave was going to be more than the 50 limit. We watched the waves take off and noticed immediately that the life guards were really busy distributing life preservers and noodles. Some even got out of their kayaks to help people back into shore. I made my way around the spectator route to the start line. I hid my shoes in a bush and made my way to the start. I finally found my wife and showed her my shoes. Then she tells me that they're on wave 20 or something. Better get to the start line.

SWIM
To make up for the late start, they were releasing waves much closer than two and a half minutes. More like every minute. That didn't leave too much of a gap between the back of the wave to the start of the next. Keep in mind that athletes in waves were generally randomly assigned to their wave, so who knows what we were going to get. I toed the front of the line for my wave and licked my goggles clean. A string of kids stood right next to me. Swimmers themselves, I joked that I would have some one to draft. I looked back out a the lake and saw only bodies. And then we were off. I hit the water and dove only once. I took three strong strokes and then looked up. I was already at the back of the previous wave. I would not take a regular breath again. Every stroke was used to sight the next swimmer and made sure I didn't tackle them. There were people everywhere. I weaved my way out to the last buoy and just before Jaws splashed in front of me. Not really. It was a swimmer that made too much of a turn and actually crossed over line separating two directions. He even had two others following him. I grabbed him sent him back to the right side. I started again and made my way around the last buoy. Then I looked directly into the devil's furnace. The sun had just come over the buildings on shore. Shore? What shore? All I saw was sun. I couldn't keep the same course and avoid swimmers like I did on the way out, so I went to the left and used the guard boats as a guide. I still sighted more often than usual and passed many folks sidestroking, breaststroking and floating with life preservers back to shore. I finally grabbed sand and ran to the next county to retrieve my bike.

T1
I found my rack and was surprised to see the youngest of the swim pack there. I had a nice transition without a wetsuit to worry about. The others swimmer kids showed up and talked about who was drying off. Drying off? Talking? Who's got time to do that? Meanwhile, I grabbed my helmet and got my bike out quickly. I ran back to race site, did the flying two-legged leap on the bike, clipped in, and stormed out of the area, passing people like they were standing still.

BIKE
I had pre-rode the course the previous week, so I knew it was a course that I could hammer and take no prisoners. My original goal was to be average above 20mph, but with the weak wind, I wanted to see how fast I could go. Run be damned, this one is about the bike. Up the first rolling hill, I took the gel I didn't have time to before the race and got going. There were people everywhere. "ON YOUR LEFT, Keep to the right" would become my new mantra out of necessity. I called it the 'Tour de France effect' because everyone thought the course was closed. Several people were riding all the way out to the yellow line with no one on their right. I can't tell you how many people I passed, but I'm guessing it was more than half the field.

To continue the poor race organization, we passed through a four-way stop controlled intersection that had no police control. Many people were zipping through like they owned the course. I slowed to make sure there were no competing cars and continued. That's when I got passed for the first and only time. It was by a car. At the next turn, the car followed the race course down the hill. Around the turn I went to see the car held up by to guys riding the middle of the lane. I took advantage of the hill and started gaining speed. I realized the guys weren't going to move right and yield to the car, so I made my way to the right and passed them all. The no-hitter was in tact and would remain that way until the run.

Continuing the clockwise course, I made the big turn to head back towards transition and had some wind at my back. One last minor bump and I'm on the far side and suddenly dismounting and running back into the next county to my stuff.

T2
I racked the bike on the empty bar and changed into my new racing shoes and was gone. Had to be my fastest transition ever. My wife even said so. Sweet. I'm starting to get the hang of this stuff.

Run
I held the pace down for the first mile. There was one hill to worry about and then it was gently rolling from there on in. After I made it up, I bypassed the first water station and started get into a groove. One more turn and then the first person to pass me just happened to be from my wave. I had a brief thought to stay with him and maintain the shutout, but I hesitated and he was gone. Second lesson: Never hesitate in a sprint race. At mile two, I was feeling really good, and turned the jets on. It was mostly downhill, and I maintained a nice, uncomfortably fast pace. I even passed other runners and received encouragement. That never happens. I'm usually handing out the encouragement. I got some cheers at the finish line and really felt good on this one.

Post-race
All-in-all, a really good race for me. Having the swim be the worst part of the day is frustrating, but knowing that I can push the bike and still have a good run is encouraging. I did hear that it was a new run course and a touch on the long side. I think my split is the fastest I've run in a tri, so for it to be long is a bonus. (It did feel faster than a 22:48.) The sour note was that I got fourth in my age group. Third was in an 'elite' wave and received premium rack placement in transition. The minute he beat me by was about the same time that our transition times differed. Put me on his rack and in his wave with a clear course and we're neck and neck competing for hardware. The biggest lesson that I learned this race is that I am competitive. For this area, I can consider myself part of the elite class. I just have to ask for it.

Many others will write better reports than I, but I had a great time training with everyone. Thanks to all who came and made the weekend a pleasure.

Friday kicked off with a CycleOps PowerTap Clinic that kicked me in the pants. Who knew that we'd establish our power threshold and then test it for several intervals? Oops. Looks like my ego got the best of me. I sweated through my shirt in the first ten minutes creating issues of reading my display. The clinic was fun, and Angie was a great instructor. Then it was off to Lake Monona for a quick dip. The weather was warm and I was still hot from the clinic, so I opted to go without a wetsuit. (Special thanks to Jennifer for loaning me a pair of goggles!) I stuck with Mike and we swam about a mile total in what was for me a leisurely pace. It was fun to be out in the lake again.

After the swim some went out for a run. I didn't. I went home and gathered everything for the dinner: Hammer Nutrition supplied five boxes worth of nutrition. Multiple tubs of Heed, Endurolytes, Perpetuem, and Recoverite for support throughout the weekend, along with 50 gels, coin purses (for the Endurolytes), bags and catalogs to hand out to everyone.

I headed to Tutto Pasta Cucina Italiana (on King St.) for the Welcome! dinner. We filled our initial reservation of 20 really quickly. People just kept on showing up. We eventually topped out around 60. I enjoyed talking with Bob, Erin, and Eric and his Bloomington crew. The staff were more than accommodating and did a great job taking care of everyone. I heard no complaints. I got to bed around 11 that night, slightly nervous about the big Saturday.

Saturday dawned HOT. Forecasts of 90° with humidity and high winds. Eerily similar to condtions when I did the Ironman in 2005. (Note: 2005 is now referred to as "the hot year." The 2006 version, when temps were in the 60s and rainy is referred to as "the cold year.") I felt like it was race morning, but it wasn't. Very odd.

I got to the lake and there were two large groups that went swimming for about an hour. We competed for space with the Madison Ski Team. We explained our presence and agreed to accommodate each other. Though there was some close calls, everyone made it to shore safe.

Most of the group, approximately 70 riders took off from the Monona Terrace set either for a 72 mile single loop course, or the whole 112 mile two-loop course.

I was set to lead the third group on the two-lap only route of the course, starting in Verona. Scott from BMC bikes drove the team car to Madison to help with the bike portion of the day. I passed over all the Hammer Nutrition to him and lead him out to Verona. Once out at Fireman's Park, I met up with Raina, Sarah and Bob. Peter was eager to meet up with a group so he tagged along with us. The five of us set out into heat, wind and hills of the driftless southwest of Wisconsin.

We all held a good pace, enjoying the scenery. I haven't been out on the course in a long time and I forgot how striking the views are. We did our best to stay hydrated, stopping at all the Kwik Trips to refuel. The gas station/convenience stores were abuzz with regular customers and us cyclists out on the course. Gallons of water were shared amongst the groups, and Gatorade was flying out of the fridges. By rule the checkout attendants ask all customers if they've purchased fuel. Many riders simply stared blankly in return, with their sunglasses tucked upside down in their bike helmets, sweat dripping from their eyebrows, as they hand damp bills to pay the goods. I chuckled and offered "You're lookin' at it."

At the end of the first loop, we met up with Scott and his squirt gun. The heat got to Sarah. Her arm was on the mend from an earlier bike crash and she wisely didn't want to push it. Bob decided to join her on a run. Raina took off for her next loop and I waited to see others as they stopped. Peter arrived from getting his spokes checked at the shop and we went out for a second loop.

Now in the early afternoon hours, the sun cooked down and the wind blew, but I felt good. Today I tried the Enduralytes for the first time and found myself extra perky at the start of the second loop. Sure, part of the ride was with the wind, but I didn't feel sluggish during the parts that weren't. I even had to pee between pit stops. A good sign on a dehydrating day. Although it might have been a mistake, we skipped the second rest stop in Cross Plains. However, the good people at the top of Timber Road hill put a simple sign saying "WATER" with an arrow pointing into their front yard. There, a hose was resting simply on a stake. In my mind, it looked like an oasis that you see in movies where the guy is struggling through the desert heat only to be tricked into seeing palm trees and lush greenery. Only this was real! Quite possible the most refreshing, coldest water my lips have ever touched. I whispered thanks to the owners and promised to send a thank you card.

Peter and I worked our way back to Verona, cooled down and saw some more WIBA folks finish. I waited for IronWil and finally made contact when she was in Cross Plains. While still fresh and most likely able to continue, time was of the essence and I went to pick her up. After some lively conversation, I dropped her off and made it to my house at 6:38. I was showered, dressed and back in my car on the way to the Great Dane at 6:46. Fastest transition I've ever done.

The Great Dane accommodated an extra ten people and dinner went smoothly. You could hear great conversations between new friends and stories shared between old ones. By the time all the schwag was handed out, it was 10:30 before I got home. I fell into bed with two fans blowing cold, conditioned air on my body.

Sunday started just as hot. People limbered in slowly to the run start. I gave a brief review of the transition process and about 30 of us headed out to run the course. Simply Stu lead us around on his bike while I provided commentary and factoids about the buildings as we ran through campus. We reached the 6-mile point on State Street and rested. I intended on stopping there, but I decided to continue to complete the mega training weekend. There were five of us that finished the entire course (with some adjustments to stop for water). It was a nice two-hour run. I was soaked with sweat, but still beaming from the strength that remained in my legs.

I showered and changed to head out to Endurance House for the foot strike analysis and bike clinic. Jamie had opened up the store for just us on Sunday morning and was awesome at helping lots of people sort through shoes fit issues. He said my feet don't pronate as much as I thought. I might be able to try out some race shoes, rather than run in the tanks that I normally wear. I promised Jamie I'd be back to discuss some it further. Scott gave a quick run down on bike packing and cleaning tips and then everyone started to make their way home.

Thanks for a successful weekend. Everyone was energized, friendly and accommodating to our on-the-fly adjustments. Thanks to IronWil for her planning and ideas, Simply Stu for his energy and support, Scott and BMC for support in Fireman's Park in the hot sun, Hammer Nutrition for the products, Tricia and Snickers MarathoN (my new favorite), Mike Ricci and D3 Multisport, Bob, Sarah, and Raina for making my bike ride more enjoyable, TaconiteBoy, Jeff, Dave and Amy for listening to my babbling on the run, and everyone else that attended.

I've already started mulling over ideas for next year. If you've got some suggestions or recommendations, please send us a note: wibainfo (SHIFT+2) gmail (DOT) com

Greetings!

I've been busy helping IronWil organize the WIBA training weekend. With the three separate bike groups, I thought some cue sheets would help. Click below for a PDF of each route. There's a map and turn-by-turn directions for each route.

• Full Course: Start at Monona Terrace, two loops and return (112 mi)
• Single Loop: Start at Monona Terrace, one loop and return (~75 miles)
• Two Loop: Start at Fireman's Park in Verona and complete two loops. (80 miles)

See you then!