Evergreen Tri

Here we are again post race report. The Evergreen International distance triathlon was a blast, wet blast but a blast. Lets start with the race set up: Thanks for all the volunteers and members of the Tri Sharks who spent numerous hours sweating on the set up.
The swim set up went on without any major problems. I will brag a little for those who helped. The distance turned out right on the money. It took average time to set up, nice weather and very little wind helps. Nice job guys. Distance dead on...
Back on shore folks began arriving and viewing the swim set up and I enjoyed listening to different conversations of people saying "it looks long", "Theres no way that course is right". One person was standing at the boat ramp when I was loading up the boat and said, "I've got to swim that far, I'm only doing the sprint". Come to find out the guys with her told her that the International was a two looper and the sprint a one loop. They ended up makiing it right after a few minutes.
The night prior to my race I have a ritual of eating good and relaxing. Not this time around, I still had not got the bike ready or race gear or my usual chicken marasala dinner. After rushing around I did manage to eat some roasted chicken ramon soup and a PBJ. Sleeping didn't work either.
I got up around 0330 hours and made coffee. My morning ritual started a little early. Coffee, protien bar, bannana and I loaded up for the short ride to the race. I stopped for gas and made the bigest mistake of the day. I bought one of the those instant energy drinks. I read the label and it said instant energy, long lasting, no crash, no elevated heart rate, ya right remember that thought.
On the way to the race it started raining and continued to rain throghout the drive. After arriving it let up a bit so I unpacked the car and went to find my spot in the transition area. I am glad I packed large garbage bags, they came in handy. At one hour to go they announced that it was going to be a wetsuit legal race. Most of the talk was " Man I forgot mine, I didn't pack mine, I wish I had mine". Well I didn't forget mine so I planned on wearing it. Mistake #2
I grabbed the wet suit goggles and swim cap and headed over for a warm up. On the way I got a mother nature call and went to see her. After, that episode I reached the entrance to the swim they were calling people back in, so I had no warm up. This really didn't bother me because I had 1650 yards to warm up. If I had warmed up I probably would have found out that the water was to warm for the wetsuit and would have opted not to wear it.
Off goes the elites and I'm in wave three, 6 minutes back. I told another guy in my wave that I hoped to pass some of the eiltes. Next group off. 3 more minutes to wait. I placed myself to the inside and the go signal was given. I felt really smooth in the beginning. Stroke, breathing and I was holding strong with the pack. At the first turn I cut it perfect and just prior to the turn out of no where this guy swam straight across me. I have no idea where he was going. Just after the turn I felt extremely warm and began to get dizzy. Immediately I thought it's the wetsuit, I'm way to warm. I slowed came up and took a few breast strokes, I got my bearings back and grabbed the front of my suit and let in some water. Throughout the rest of the swim I could tell that my heart rate was up. Remember mistake #1 That had to be it. I told myself to control my breathing and finish smooth. I was out of the water at 27:08 ave 1:39 per 100
T1 needs work as usual, but once on the bike and a few miles into the ride I got my legs and started hammering. With the exception of the water and all the turns I had a good ride. I did notice watching some of the riders coming at me THERE WAS ALOT OF DRAFTING going on with the elites. On the ride I was watching my heart rate and it averaged 155-163 for the most part. Lately I have been staying at around 158 for the same out put.Back to mistake #1. The last half of the ride was faster I hooked up with a guy on an Orbea( 10 yards back of course) and traded positions a few times. Ride time 1:10:44 ave 21.1 mph
T2 again I need to shed 45 to 50 seconds off. On to the run which I feel is my strong point. I started out just trying to get my legs and I felt good pushing and striding out. I was passing a few people I looked down at my heart rate and it was reading 163. but it felt higher. I felt like I was running in sand instead of watery pavement. I continued to pass and began to have some fun with the volnteers High fives and thanks to all of them. On the out and back to the east I felt a hand on my back and the new prez of the Tri club, Ryan, he passed running strong as ever. I pushed for a few hundred yards behind him, and then let him go. After passing the one to go sign I took off and finished strong with a 6:39 mile. Run time an embarassing 46:07.
All in all it turned out to be a good day for some and a not so good day for others. I learned a valuble lesson about the energy drink and will not Ever have one again. I placed 11th in my age group, 48th overall and I did manage to qualify for the USAT nationals in Portland Oregan.

Some one said after party? yep there was one.

On to the next race

FLORIDA IRONMAN
November 1st

Train hard, train smart

David