Some fun in the St Croix Sun

Completed St Croix 70.3 series this past Sunday with many of my Qt2systems.com teammates. Yet again, what a great bunch of people to be supported and surrounded by. Everyone had special performances and acts of determination in their own way.

Leading up to this race, my taper and preparation during my build phase was the best it has been. I had logged in the most sleep in as long as I can remember and I kicked out the nagging knee and chronic breathing issues that have not stopped my momentum, but did cause aggravation and concern during some more recent training and racing events.

I became aware via our Team tactician Keith, that there were Kona slots offered up for this race. Based on last year’s results, a 4:48 could get it done for my Age Group. With that knowledge, many of my runs were completed in fantasy land visualizing sealing the deal with the coveted slot. It was fun and it helped me work even harder during some of my more intense workouts. I will not kid you; I’m very visual and could do this with thinking about my next cup of coffee!! LOL.

My pacing goal was prepared by Jesse prior to the race with a goal of Sub 5:07 or better. Again, Jesse takes all of the preceding data supplied, course info and comes up with dead-on pacing guidelines. However, I still have not completely accepted them to my own demise. I still think I’m going to pull some magic out there even tho I know the pacing is based on fact and not fiction. Jesse has written about this issue and he warned me. Even with that said, Jesse told me a Kona slot would be a stretch, but possible. Jesse handles this kind of conversation with “soft-gloves” with many of his athletes in a way that I think is best. I would gather that its’ a fine line of helping each of us achieve our stated goals with all of his knowledge, but not wanting us to be unrealistic and be mental about it.

We arrived in St Croix and heard lots of stories about “the beast” (the big hill at mile 21) during the flight, etc. We even met a lady that got hospitalized the day before the race crashing the Beast going downhill. Taking the cab over to the hotel on the bike course was ample enough time to see for my own eyes that this course was more spectacular than seeing it on video. Grades of varying degree were painted on the pavement and while in the car you could observe hair-pin turns, undulation, heat and extremely poor road quality. By this I mean they had cracks, not so pressed pavement, no shoulder and guard rails over cliff drops, etc. Guess you could call them the Beast‘s cousins?

Race morning arrived for us at 3:00AM. Three of us hooked up with an expensive shuttle service that left our hotel at 4:00AM, but we had to be there at 3:30AM. The transition area opened up at 5:00AM and this forced us to eat our pre-race meals on the fly in the lobby. So we were rushed because it’s not fun trying to force-down three cups of applesauce, protein shake, sports drink and a banana in a van whipping around corners.

We get to the start at 4:30 is and wait for the gates to open. It’s pitch dark out at this time and I remembered to bring a light. Being the 3rd person there, I’m able to get a primo spot to rack my bike and to set up my transition area. I get a spot at the bike and run exit and near a stack of portapottys. To me this was the most important thing!!

The sun rises over the beautiful crystal blue ocean and the place is now a flurry of activity with air pumps smacking and athletes asking each other for favors and checking out the competition. What struck me immediately was that many of my neighbors were from all over the world. That was new for me and it did not really mean much to me until later.

The announcer let us know that the swim start is to begin. Athletes begin to jump off the dock into the ocean. This start is very different than most starts. We were going to begin this race on an island across from the dock. We had to swim about a quarter mile to a beach and from there, we would run into the ocean to begin our 1.2 mile swim.

My wave is called and I find a place to camp. I’m never sure where I should position because I’m an average swimmer and depending of my confidence and the course I’m out front or to the side. Today I was in front. The horn blows and I sprint into the water. I reach the first buoy and I’m getting popped, punched and dunked. I can see below a scuba diver on his back watching. As I turn the buoy and create space more dunking and I’m getting a little short of breath. Nothing to be concerned with and I settle into my pace. As I do that, I come into a pack and some guy throws an elbow at me. I think, wow, how the hell can someone get out of the water like they are standing on dry land. I yell at him like this would make a difference? Apparently it did, he reach to grab my goggles. I slapped his hand away and let him pass. I took an angle outside on this guy and he was gone. I’ve never seen anything like this! I got back into my pace and I could feel some pretty good rolling waves coming at me. The first few were sloppy and did not time them well. I figured it out fast and was able to have some fun with them. I want to say I drank a couple of the waves too. The sun was out and I could only catch breathes on the opposite side of the waves which was also opposite the side of the buoys. My sighting was good on this day and the only snafu on the first side was that I overshot the first turn. The kayakers were animated and I got a glimpse of them before I swam to Spain.

Coming back we had the waves with us and I got into a really good groove and felt fresh. It had to be the fasted I’ve gone all year and I just focused on form and technique. At that point I caught up to groups ahead of me and because the water was so clear, I did not need to do much sighting because I could see dozen of people going in the sam direction.

I get to the swim exit and get pulled onto the dock. No waves of people cheering at this event. I ran to my bike and felt amazing. I look at the watch and I’m exactly in the middle of my swim goal of 36. Not great, but on goal just the same.
My transition onto the bike is fast and without issue. Jump on the bike on the mount line and head through the main streets of Croix. It’s a very strange experience, but it quickly passed as we head out into the hills, jungle and maze of technical biking.

My goal for this race was to average 200 Watts and to not exceed 260 even on the steepest hill. In addition; we knew the heat was going to be rough so I was to get down at least three bottles of fluids and to pee before completing the 56 miles. About a half hour in, I see crystals forming on my uniform. I’m sweating and breathing more than I expected, but know the plan is the plan. This bike course will not cover any mistakes on this day!

It was amazing how hard the biking was. I was all alone for many long stretches and more or less it could lul you asleep. The view was amazing, but many of the hills and turns were so foreign and dangerous that you could never really relax. I still had, “The Beast” to contend with. The first 20 miles were pretty flawless and as I’m riding down a grade reduction, a really nice Boston athlete introduces herself to me. She knew all of my teammates. She informed me that the beast was just up ahead and that I was in the wrong gearing and need to attack the hill from the right. The best part about this sport are people like this with helping hands as long as they are not in your age group or view themselves an s a threat. I adopt the same approach regardless, but more on that later.

The, “Beast” was tough. It was the biggest, longest hill I’ve ever ridden on. However, some of the bike strength training sessions I complete each week in my basement are harder than this hill. The beast was just slow and boring. However, it you took your attention off of this hill you can certainly see yourself going backwards. I did see a few walking the hill. All I had to do was peddle and get up once or twice.

I was more concerned about going down the hill. My hands and sweat were pouring out and I could not get a good grip on my bars. I want to fly down the hill and most of the course, but I could not attack because I had no idea how sharp the turns were or what was around each corner.

The back-side of the back course was even hotter with long stretches of rolling hills. From here, I had a slew of people drafting off me all the way until the end. Each time I turned or moved after a pass, a group of 4-5 riders would copy my every move. A couple of times at water stations people would dump their bottles right behind them knowing it could cause an accident. I had some jawing going on, but here is where the foreigner thing started to make sense to me. Actually, it turned out to be one of the dudes on the swim!!

I decided that I would not change my plan and to be patient. I ended up going by all of these jerks as the race and the bike part concluded and to never see them again. The bike is getting to be my favorite part of these races. This is the second race that I have not been passed. I think where I’m giving up lots of slots is the swim and my weaker run. Certainly have not seen anyone in my AG around me on the bike as of now. It will be interesting to see how that goes for the next race.
I ended up taking down six down due to the heat and being able to crack that pee in front of a bunch of people at mile 54. Hey, isn’t that why people come to see races? Crashes and other weird stuff?

Bike concluded and I transition to the run. I was fast out of transition as I’ve been working on this and running without socks. I get to the run course, and yet again my Garmin 405 will not start. I’m blind again.
About 2 minutes later a Boston Tri team member catches up with me to run. I welcome him, because I’m not feeling great and this guy is just so cheery and positive, I want him next to me. We run side by side and he is rattling off run data to me. He is older, so I was ahead of him by a lot and not a challenge to him on this day. I think he would have been the same regardless.

The first report on the run is that I’m pushing 6:30 miles. He yells out to me that he is going to blow up and can’t hold. I knew I was way ahead of where I needed to be and offered to slow down to keep him. I’m not sure why I wanted him there, but it was easy to do.

We continue on the course for the next 6 miles. It was so hot and I could feel myself doing little pukes. I did feel as if it was going to be a great day though. The course had rolling hills and virtually no cover.
At mile 7, my running buddy had asked me to go ahead. I went about running not knowing how fast I was going and I essentially blew myself apart from mile 7-9.5. On the second loop through a monster hill, I begin my first 100 yard walk. I was in tough shape. I continued to plug along for longer stretches. My goal pace for this race was 7:10’s. I was now running 9:30’s and could have gone slower. I was really pissed. I kept telling myself that it was only 4 more miles. It’s a big head-game at this point and I’m able to put together some good stretches.
I hear the finish line and could feel the shoot. I begin to run hard into the end, when a volunteer motions me to the left. Huh?

As I round the corner, I see a long road and a runner way up it? Do I have to do this again? I just put everything into the photo finish? I try to size up the blocks to see how far I had to go. Once around the corner, I need to walk for 20 feet. I could barley muster up more to go, but shoot, I’m only ½ mil from the finish.
I see the tape and bring it home. I thought for sure I was on my way to the medical tent. I see Jesse and Tim waiting for their athletes to come in. These guys are the best and you tend to tough it up a bit more after seeing them all relaxed and re-dressed. No medical tent for me. 13th in AG, 5:20 finish. 8:18 run pace. Bike for show, run for dough! Not today tho!

The reality, I’m making progress. I was competing against a great field and a few good cheaters. I had no idea that when Kona slots are on the line people would resort to such crappy behavior. I even heard many whispers about blood doping and other cheating stuff. Good Lord, we are not competing for money here!!!
Jesse explained to me that my training is all based on the Ironman distance and not the 70.3. He felt that many of the people in front of me will not be people I will see at Placid because of the nutrition and my training. Can’t argue with this guy. I have roughly 12 weeks to go in this journey. The next 12 weeks will be the most critical. I have lots of stress all around me. I’m dedicated even more to make this happen. I will not rest my head on my pillow on July 26th, 2009 with any excuses or with a “maybe next time”. I will dig as deep as my soul will allow, and for this my life is without regret.