3rd time is NOT a charm!
As the title indicates, my first multisport event of 2009 did not go as planned. The plan was simple…WIN. Delevan Lake was the first triathlon I ever completed, and I have made a pledge to continue racing this event until I win it. In my mind, it doesn’t seem like too big of a task considering it only attracts a small group of athletes who, for the most part, are mediocre at best.
“The Diesel” made the trek up North to crash on my couch and to get a hit out before his targeted race (Elkhart Lake) the following weekend. So after a night of the usual pre-race pizza and a couple hours of Ironman viewing, we hit the sack eager to start the season.
Heading into the race I had made the decision that if I was to win, it would come from a blistering bike split. The idea was to keep within a minute or two of the top swimmers and then HAMMER the bike. This would result in one of two things happening, and I think we all know what those are… (1) Come into T2 with the lead or (2) blow up trying.
My plan hit a major snag upon exiting the water…17:55!! This was nearly 7 minutes slower than last year, and I immediately started to worry. (Turns out the race directed must have finally gotten the distance right rather than shorting the swim, which has been the case for the past two years.) This meant my weakest of the three disciplines had just created an even larger gap than anticipated. And because of the short distance of this race, that time would be very hard to get back!
After a mad dash into T1, I became frantic. Vin was already out of his wetsuit and ready to un-rack his bike. I will admit I had expected this before the race, but did not realize the ambush on my mental state (according to the monitor, this is the point my HR peaked for the day at 196). Even after a little mishap with the race belt, I still had the 2nd fastest transition of the day and then began to implement the plan. Within the first 100 yards I had passed Vin and started the assault on all those “swimmers”. After 3-4 miles, I looked back and felt great; I had created a large, growing gap and was passing athletes like they were standing still! Next stop...blow-upville! The 10 mile marker is where it happened. My legs would have nothing to do with me or my overambitious aspirations. Within a mile of this point, I heard something I did not expect, “you better get your ass in gear.” IT WAS “THE DIESEL”!!!!! He cruised by quite definitively and threw down a reverse naked choke hold on my raceJ…my head was busted!
No matter how badly I had misjudged my abilities or underestimated Vin, I was not going down without a fight. It honestly took everything that was left in my completely cashed legs to stay with him for those last couple miles. Back and forth we went, and at one point I made the comment that his newly found speed must be due to the new bike and helmet rather than all his hard work (nothing like firing up your competition right before the run). OopsJ Nevertheless I made a final pass coming into T2 and posted a bike split a mere 22 seconds ahead of V. After a quick observation, I concluded we were sitting somewhere around 5th or 6th place and had to create a new race plan. The new plan…somehow get my legs to outrun the ever-charging Diesel.
Another quick transition and the battle began. I will admit that at no point in my pre-race visualization did I ever see Vin and I running together the entire 5k, but that’s what was shaping up to happen. I was very weary of the fact that maybe he was holding back just enough to out sprint me in the end, and I made the decision that I would conserve when I could to prevent a collapse too early. As long as he didn’t pass me, I would wait for the finish, which was building up to be epic. I had forgotten about all others on the course and focused all of my energy on the one person behind me. For three laps, not only did I see the shadow bouncing off my left foot, but I also heard the breathing…scratch that, I felt the breathing! So this is how the season starts, a mad dash to the finish for bragging rights between two friends. Both of whom started triathlon two years ago…both of whom have been dedicated to improvement…both of whom are VERY competitive.
In the end I, out sprinted “The Diesel” to the line, creating a gargantuan separation of 1 second! This gave me 4th overall (1st age group) and although I didn’t win, this is probably the most fun I have had during a race and is sure to be one that is the topic of discussion throughout the season. Looking back at the results, I was only 36 seconds off the podium and am now forced to wonder what would have happened if I had focused on the race in front of me rather than behind…
Of course I have to say congrats to Vin for a HUGE improvement from last year and for seriously pushing me through the last few miles of the bike when I was ready to throw in the towel. This race has brought forth the realization that Pewaukee & Steelhead will have one more competitor I have to consider when thinking of the competition. Also mad props to Jason Orna for completing his first of what I’m sure will be many triathlons and to his wife Julie who claimed a second place age group finish!
My next adventure will be High Cliff 70.3, where I hope to learn a little about pacing!
Cheers,
-=Berserker Poke