Yesterday was the Kennekuk Road Runner's Trail Run at Kickapoo - Wild, Wild Wilderness. It's a run I look forward to every year because it seems to be the ideal combination of weather (early fall), conditions (well-established trail), participants (huge variety of enthusiastic trail runners), and race direction (KRR).
I've been running a bit more lately, back on more of a regular schedule. I did not race triathlons at all this season, but with trail running season upon us I am excited for the events.
Race conditions were ideal. The temperature at race time was in the mid 60s and it was overcast and a little foggy. The run started on time at 10am.
There were over 300 runners participating, so the start was very congested and slow. Once the dirt trail started, the line of runners began to stretch out and pace groups began to form. I wasn't sure what to expect from myself. I have been running more, but my longest recent run was 5 miles. I was pleasantly surprised with how I felt throughout the run.
I think the setting really helps with relaxing and just enjoying the experience of running through the woods. I was hoping just to settle into a comfortable cadence and maintain it, and that's what ended up happening. My pace varied quite a bit...there are some significant hill climbs, obstacles, creek crossings, and stairways on the course that affect pace...but my cadence held pretty well.
This ended up being my slowest Wilderness run yet, but I'm viewing it as a starting point, not the usual "near-end of season" point. Next up will be a pair of October trail runs, Fox Ridge and Allerton park.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
I am in suck-tastic shape.
My buddy Hawk and I did a 5K yesterday. It was a contrast in approaches. His worked, mine didn't.
I haven't been very diligent about getting out and running, or biking, or swimming. I've been sporadic at best. It's definitely not a recipe for staying in good cardiovascular shape...I don't think running the bases in softball counts as a good workout - although I do get winded from it.
Anyway, Hawk has been keeping up with his runs, and setting 5K PRs periodically. I have been drinking beer and thinking I should get out and hit the bricks, but not doing it - and it shows.
The 5K was a benefit for Habitat for Humanity, organized through the U of I Business School. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, and the run was on a nice grass course on the Illinois campus. I think the course might be used for cross-country...there were some signs designating kilometers that didn't make any sense for our run. There was a little bit of water/mud on the course leftover from our wet spring weather, but nothing really uncommon for this time of year in central IL.
I was a little bit tentative about running. I had been to both a wedding and a birthday party the day/night before and partook in a few libations to celebrate each event. I made sure I was moderating, but I was still out until 2am.
The run started just after 10, maybe about 15 minutes late. It was casual, so no problems with a late start. The course was two loops, marked with pink arrows, and staffed by volunteers at each of the turns. There was a big hill at around mile 1.25, which repeated on loop 2...ugh.
As expected, I struggled a bit. Grass is always slower than the pavement, and wet grass slower still. Combine this with my lack of fitness and it's a run/walk 5K....I took a couple of 30 second walk breaks and tried to keep my pace reasonable for the running portions.
Hawk ran a good race, he didn't PR, but ran strong the whole time. I think I may have set a PR for my worst 5K :-)
I had fun and I was glad I got out for a run on such a nice day. I'm looking forward to working myself back into shape and getting back to an acceptable level. I guess now I have a baseline to compare to at the end of the season.
I haven't been very diligent about getting out and running, or biking, or swimming. I've been sporadic at best. It's definitely not a recipe for staying in good cardiovascular shape...I don't think running the bases in softball counts as a good workout - although I do get winded from it.
Anyway, Hawk has been keeping up with his runs, and setting 5K PRs periodically. I have been drinking beer and thinking I should get out and hit the bricks, but not doing it - and it shows.
The 5K was a benefit for Habitat for Humanity, organized through the U of I Business School. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, and the run was on a nice grass course on the Illinois campus. I think the course might be used for cross-country...there were some signs designating kilometers that didn't make any sense for our run. There was a little bit of water/mud on the course leftover from our wet spring weather, but nothing really uncommon for this time of year in central IL.
I was a little bit tentative about running. I had been to both a wedding and a birthday party the day/night before and partook in a few libations to celebrate each event. I made sure I was moderating, but I was still out until 2am.
The run started just after 10, maybe about 15 minutes late. It was casual, so no problems with a late start. The course was two loops, marked with pink arrows, and staffed by volunteers at each of the turns. There was a big hill at around mile 1.25, which repeated on loop 2...ugh.
As expected, I struggled a bit. Grass is always slower than the pavement, and wet grass slower still. Combine this with my lack of fitness and it's a run/walk 5K....I took a couple of 30 second walk breaks and tried to keep my pace reasonable for the running portions.
Hawk ran a good race, he didn't PR, but ran strong the whole time. I think I may have set a PR for my worst 5K :-)
I had fun and I was glad I got out for a run on such a nice day. I'm looking forward to working myself back into shape and getting back to an acceptable level. I guess now I have a baseline to compare to at the end of the season.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
...and we're baaaaack!!!
Wow. What a crappy winter. Between the freezing, thawing, more freezing, unemployment through December, I got sick again and got way low on the motivation scale.
The new job is intensely crazy, with way too much work and only one person to do it - me. But I'm making money, spring is peeking in, and the sunlight and warmth is a welcome respite from the cold and gloom of another harsh winter.
I'm still finding my legs, having only managed a couple of runs in the month of January and a couple more in February. March has been good so far, and I'm intending to run a half marathon in April...the full marathon will just have to wait.
It's going to be an odd season. After the huge goal I set for myself last year, I really don't have a solid goal set for this year. I'm just going to do the races that look interesting and see how I fare. I'm thinking of getting back to the off-road stuff a little more. My favorite race, Trail Shark has been defunct since the 2006 edition, but there are some Xterra races in Indiana that I have been eyeing for the last couple of years. Maybe this year I'll go do them...of course, I'll want a new bike for that :-)
The new job is intensely crazy, with way too much work and only one person to do it - me. But I'm making money, spring is peeking in, and the sunlight and warmth is a welcome respite from the cold and gloom of another harsh winter.
I'm still finding my legs, having only managed a couple of runs in the month of January and a couple more in February. March has been good so far, and I'm intending to run a half marathon in April...the full marathon will just have to wait.
It's going to be an odd season. After the huge goal I set for myself last year, I really don't have a solid goal set for this year. I'm just going to do the races that look interesting and see how I fare. I'm thinking of getting back to the off-road stuff a little more. My favorite race, Trail Shark has been defunct since the 2006 edition, but there are some Xterra races in Indiana that I have been eyeing for the last couple of years. Maybe this year I'll go do them...of course, I'll want a new bike for that :-)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Cough, cough
There's some kind of cold going around and I've got it. It just seems to linger and linger. My congestion and runny nose have come and gone; my body aches have come and gone; my energy is slowly coming back; but this cough...this annoying little cough just won't go.
I haven't run since Allerton. I painted my house the week following that race, got sick and haven't done squat since. I feel like a bum, but I don't want to try to get back into it too soon and sabotage my returning health.
On a positive note, this unscheduled break is helping my plantar fasciitis immensely. Hopefully, I'm healed.
I haven't run since Allerton. I painted my house the week following that race, got sick and haven't done squat since. I feel like a bum, but I don't want to try to get back into it too soon and sabotage my returning health.
On a positive note, this unscheduled break is helping my plantar fasciitis immensely. Hopefully, I'm healed.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Trail Running Weekend
Fall trail running is in full swing. I did two races this weekend. The Ridge Runner Classic, a 3.75 mile run at Fox Ridge State Park near Charleston on Saturday and the Allerton Trail Run near Monticello on Sunday.
This was my first time running the Ridge Runner Classic. Actually, this is the first year I had heard of it...and this was the 21st running...and I grew up in Charleston...hmmmm. Anyway, although this was my first time running this event I knew what to expect. I spent alot of time in the park in my youth. The park features alot of deep ravines - it's very scenic.
The first mile and a half was on a paved park road with a couple of long downhill sections. I ran the first mile pretty fast...6:46 - too fast. After the on-road section, we headed onto the trail. There had been some rain in the days leading up to the race, but the trails were in good condition. They were covered with a layer of crushed gravel, so there really wasn't any mud to deal with. Just a couple of rutted spots had some standing water in them, and it was easy to see and avoid.
The trail meandered by the Embarass River, through the woods and came to a long stairway with a hill at the top. Due to the shear length of this section and the fact that I had run the first section too fast, I walked up the stairs. I figured I'd either walk the stairs and run at the top, or run the stairs and have to walk at the top. I think I lost less time by walking the stairs.
The rest of the run was up and down park trails, a short section of campground road, then up another long staircase back to the park road and the finish line. I finished the 3.75 mile run in 28:25.
I enjoyed this event. It was small and casual, and the trail was fun. I'll probably run it again in the future.
On Sunday I headed out to Allerton Park near Monticello for my second event of the weekend. The rain that hadn't shown much of an effect at Fox Ridge showed a massive effect on the Allerton Park trails. The run began at the Foo Dog garden - a flat grassy area - then headed into the woods.
Every section of the trail was covered in mud. This was not a deep, shoe-sucking mud, but a thin, slick layer of mud on top of a hard trail. It was very challenging to keep my footing the whole time. Additionally, there were a few sections of the run requiring a run through ankle to knee deep water. The first of these came up in the second mile, so we all ran with heavy, wet shoes for most of the race.
I felt ok for most of the run. I could tell I had run the day before. I had sore muscles in a few different places, but nothing too bad. I finished the 5.5 mile run in 47:24.
Overall it was a nice weekend for running. Both mornings were cool, but the days ended up being sunny and pleasant - a very nice fall weekend.
This was my first time running the Ridge Runner Classic. Actually, this is the first year I had heard of it...and this was the 21st running...and I grew up in Charleston...hmmmm. Anyway, although this was my first time running this event I knew what to expect. I spent alot of time in the park in my youth. The park features alot of deep ravines - it's very scenic.
The first mile and a half was on a paved park road with a couple of long downhill sections. I ran the first mile pretty fast...6:46 - too fast. After the on-road section, we headed onto the trail. There had been some rain in the days leading up to the race, but the trails were in good condition. They were covered with a layer of crushed gravel, so there really wasn't any mud to deal with. Just a couple of rutted spots had some standing water in them, and it was easy to see and avoid.
The trail meandered by the Embarass River, through the woods and came to a long stairway with a hill at the top. Due to the shear length of this section and the fact that I had run the first section too fast, I walked up the stairs. I figured I'd either walk the stairs and run at the top, or run the stairs and have to walk at the top. I think I lost less time by walking the stairs.
The rest of the run was up and down park trails, a short section of campground road, then up another long staircase back to the park road and the finish line. I finished the 3.75 mile run in 28:25.
I enjoyed this event. It was small and casual, and the trail was fun. I'll probably run it again in the future.
On Sunday I headed out to Allerton Park near Monticello for my second event of the weekend. The rain that hadn't shown much of an effect at Fox Ridge showed a massive effect on the Allerton Park trails. The run began at the Foo Dog garden - a flat grassy area - then headed into the woods.
Every section of the trail was covered in mud. This was not a deep, shoe-sucking mud, but a thin, slick layer of mud on top of a hard trail. It was very challenging to keep my footing the whole time. Additionally, there were a few sections of the run requiring a run through ankle to knee deep water. The first of these came up in the second mile, so we all ran with heavy, wet shoes for most of the race.
I felt ok for most of the run. I could tell I had run the day before. I had sore muscles in a few different places, but nothing too bad. I finished the 5.5 mile run in 47:24.
Overall it was a nice weekend for running. Both mornings were cool, but the days ended up being sunny and pleasant - a very nice fall weekend.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Charleston Challenge Duathlon/Wild Wild Wilderness Weekend
I wanted to do both the Charleston Challenge Duathlon and the Wild, Wild Wilderness 7.55 mi trail run. They both happened on the same weekend, so I doubled up.
On Saturday, I returned to Charleston,IL, where I grew up, to compete in the 2008 Charleston Challenge Duathlon. I ran this race in 2007 (1:34/2nd in AG) and hoped to improve significantly at the tail end of a successful season.
I enjoy this race. The course is hilly, and as the name denotes, challenging. There are several hills that are short but steep, requiring significant effort to climb. Having recently ridden in Oregon, I felt very prepared to attack these hills.
The drive from Champaign to Charleston is quick. I was at the race site less than an hour after leaving home. I unloaded my gear, got checked in and headed to the transition area to set up.
Duathlons are nice because the transition setup is so easy. I was done in just a few minutes.
Run 1:
On Saturday, I returned to Charleston,IL, where I grew up, to compete in the 2008 Charleston Challenge Duathlon. I ran this race in 2007 (1:34/2nd in AG) and hoped to improve significantly at the tail end of a successful season.
I enjoy this race. The course is hilly, and as the name denotes, challenging. There are several hills that are short but steep, requiring significant effort to climb. Having recently ridden in Oregon, I felt very prepared to attack these hills.
The drive from Champaign to Charleston is quick. I was at the race site less than an hour after leaving home. I unloaded my gear, got checked in and headed to the transition area to set up.
Duathlons are nice because the transition setup is so easy. I was done in just a few minutes.
Run 1:
I headed out a little faster than normal due to the relatively short 2 mi distance of this race. I'm used to running longer, so my pace is usually slower. The two miles were over pretty quickly and although the last section of the run is up a long gradual hill, I managed to hold my pace pretty well. I finished the first run and looked at my watch - 13:43...that's really fast for me!
T1:
I was not smooth or fast in T1 and lost some time because of it. For some reason I struggled a little getting my aero helmet on. One of the straps was tangled and I had to take it off and put it back on. (1:04)
I was not smooth or fast in T1 and lost some time because of it. For some reason I struggled a little getting my aero helmet on. One of the straps was tangled and I had to take it off and put it back on. (1:04)
Bike:
I told myself heading to the race that I just wanted to kill it on the bike. The previous year I was not prepared for the hills and lost time at the top of each trying to catch my breath and get going again. I knew the course this year and felt very ready for the course. The bike went according to plan. I attacked each hill and felt strong after climbing each one. I was able to quickly get back up to speed and ride an effective race. I ate a couple of Hammer Gels on the course and stayed pretty well hydrated. Coming into transition I still felt strong. I checked my watch and I was right where I wanted to be (56:37)
I told myself heading to the race that I just wanted to kill it on the bike. The previous year I was not prepared for the hills and lost time at the top of each trying to catch my breath and get going again. I knew the course this year and felt very ready for the course. The bike went according to plan. I attacked each hill and felt strong after climbing each one. I was able to quickly get back up to speed and ride an effective race. I ate a couple of Hammer Gels on the course and stayed pretty well hydrated. Coming into transition I still felt strong. I checked my watch and I was right where I wanted to be (56:37)
T2:
This transition was much faster than the first. I was pretty quick and got out of the bike gear and into the run gear in good shape. Coming out I saw a buddy of mine who I was chasing for the AG lead. He was about 30 seconds ahead of me on the road. He had won the AG in 2007, so I was hoping to catch him for the win.
This transition was much faster than the first. I was pretty quick and got out of the bike gear and into the run gear in good shape. Coming out I saw a buddy of mine who I was chasing for the AG lead. He was about 30 seconds ahead of me on the road. He had won the AG in 2007, so I was hoping to catch him for the win.
Run 2:
I was running at a pretty uncomfortable pace. I could see my buddy ahead of me, but I wasn't really making up much ground. I could tell I was pretty well at my max, and at this point I had less than 2 miles to work with. I continued on at my redline, but just could close on him. I made up a little time, but in the end finished 29 seconds behind him. I had put in another good run leg - 14:55, and still ended up 2nd in my AG.
I was running at a pretty uncomfortable pace. I could see my buddy ahead of me, but I wasn't really making up much ground. I could tell I was pretty well at my max, and at this point I had less than 2 miles to work with. I continued on at my redline, but just could close on him. I made up a little time, but in the end finished 29 seconds behind him. I had put in another good run leg - 14:55, and still ended up 2nd in my AG.
I was happy with my performance in this race. The running and biking were good, I just was too slow in T1. This ended up being the difference in the race. I did do much better overall than the prior year, cutting 8 minutes off my time, a significant improvement.
The Wild, Wild, Wilderness trail run is a challenging 7.55 mile trail run put on by the Kennekuk Road Runners club at Kickapoo Park. I have run this before, and meekly attended last year, badly hungover from excessive tailgating. I wanted to return to good form this year, so I was restrained in my evening libations on Saturday night. Illinois lost the football game @ Penn State, so there was no need to celebrate post-game.
Sunday morning my buddy Adam showed up around 9:30 and we headed over to Kickapoo for the 11:00 race start. I wasn't sore from Saturday's duathlon, but I could tell I had exerted myself. I had run four quick miles and killed it on the bike, but still felt pretty good when the gun went off.
I started pretty quickly and completed the first mile in 7:55. This run is entirely off-road except for a very short section on the pavement that connects the grassy start to the trailhead. I love the scenery of Kickapoo and always enjoy racing there (you hear me, Blagojevich?). Miles 1 and 2 are relatively flat, but travel through some grass and meadow-y areas. There is no canopy of trees and the sun was shining brightly. I was getting hot. Mile 2 was slower - 8:24. My legs were starting to feel a bit heavy from Saturday's exertion and I still had 5.55 more miles of hills and trail to run. I think Adam passed me around 2.5 miles into the run. He ran ahead a little and I didn't see him again until just before the finish.
I maintained 8:25 pace through Mile 3 and then the hills started coming around. Mile 4 was 9:03, Mile 5 - 9:15, Mile 6 - 9:17, Mile 7 - 9:17 and the final .55 - 4:48. I finished in 1:06:29. I was pretty happy with my run overall, Adam finished 17 seconds ahead of me.
I grabbed a couple of beers, a little food, and my grand slam award for completing all 4 Kennekuk grand slam events and we headed home.
I really love this park, this event, and this course and hope that the state budget situation can be resolved so that we don't lose out on this valuable resource in Central Illinois.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Oregon Report
My wife and I headed to Portland on Friday, September 19 so I could compete in the 2008 USAT Age Group National Championships. I had qualified (my season goal) at the Evergreen Triathlon near Bloomington, IL. I worked hard to get to this race, half because it was a championship event, and half because I wanted to go to Portland.
Our trip was easy and uneventful. We left Champaign at 6:40, connected in Dallas, and got to Portland at 11:30 local time. We picked up our rental car, a Toyota Highlander (big enough to transport my bike) and headed off to my friends' house.
I had shipped my bike out the week before and saw online that it arrived and had been signed for the day before I was to get there. (I later learned that I almost didn't get it.) We called our friends to check our directions and got their place quickly. I got my bike out of the garage and started putting it together.
We got to the registration area and I quickly made my way through the line, picked up my schwag bag, my race number sheet, and got a stars and stripes wristband snapped onto me. I took a brief walk around the expo exhibits and headed back to the car to get my bike. As I did this, my wife stayed in the expo and visited each of the exhibits (she got a USAT cowbell for her efforts).
I stopped by bike support to get my rear brake looked at and the mechanic ended up pulling the cable and lubing it and all of the contact points...good as new!
From there I dropped my bike off at its assigned spot and we were done for the day. We headed back around the lake road and when I saw the whole thing I made it my race goal to not die. I heard there were hills, but this road was HILLY!
We went to our hotel to get changed and then met our friends back in Portland for dinner. We ate a cool little place called The Farm Cafe. We had an excellent meal and a couple of drinks and headed back to the hotel in Hillsboro.
Race morning:
Woke up around 5:30. Had a coffee and a pre-race nature call. Ate a little bit and headed to race site...about 25 minutes from the hotel. Parking was off-site with school buses to transport us to race area. Still dark outside. First wave starts at 7:15...mine starts at 8:24. Nature keeps calling, although I am suprisingly at ease. Again my only goal is "don't die."
As I'm returning from the porta-john, my wife says "I think your wave is starting!" I look down to the dock and see what looks like black swim caps on the start line...I run towards the water, but see that they are navy blue. Still on schedule. After a few more waves, I'm in the water waiting for the start. Get ready....GO!
T1: I'm winded from the swim and the long run to transition. I fight with the wetsuit a little, get my shoes on, helmet on, glasses on, grab my bike, and head for the exit. Glasses steam up, take off glasses, hop on the bike and start the long climb up towards the bike course. (2:48)
BIKE: The bike course follows the road around the lake. It's a two loop course, loop one is a preview...On loop two I know what to expect; this is good and bad. The first part of the ride is slow. People are passing me, I'm trying to catch my breath and get a good cadence going. Hills, hills, hills. The uphills hurt, but the downhills are fun!
Just after the turn around was a 2KM long climb. I was going about 7 mph up this climb. The second time around I picked it up a little bit and was going 8-9 mph. First loop was really hard, second loop was pretty hard. I finished the bike and headed to T2. (1:16:11)
T2: Transition was pretty quick. I was relaxed and smooth. Rack the bike, helmet off, bike shoes off, running shoes on, grab hat, grab race belt and GO! (1:24)
Overall I had an excellent experience. I really felt no pressure in this race. My biggest challenge was getting there...qualifying. The level of competition and difficulty of the course were so much greater than any race I had done previously, so I eventually just relaxed and soaked in the experience of being there.
Our trip was easy and uneventful. We left Champaign at 6:40, connected in Dallas, and got to Portland at 11:30 local time. We picked up our rental car, a Toyota Highlander (big enough to transport my bike) and headed off to my friends' house.
I had shipped my bike out the week before and saw online that it arrived and had been signed for the day before I was to get there. (I later learned that I almost didn't get it.) We called our friends to check our directions and got their place quickly. I got my bike out of the garage and started putting it together.My bike made it to Portland in good shape. The chain was off and my front brake caliper had taken a little bit of a hit, but nothing was broken and except for a sketchy rear brake I was good to go.
We loaded up the rental car and headed for the race site and Friday's mandatory packet pick up and bike check in.The drive to Hagg Lake from Portland was pretty quick. We drove through a couple of smaller outlying towns and a little bit through some wine country and eventually got to the park where the lake was.
We got to the registration area and I quickly made my way through the line, picked up my schwag bag, my race number sheet, and got a stars and stripes wristband snapped onto me. I took a brief walk around the expo exhibits and headed back to the car to get my bike. As I did this, my wife stayed in the expo and visited each of the exhibits (she got a USAT cowbell for her efforts).I stopped by bike support to get my rear brake looked at and the mechanic ended up pulling the cable and lubing it and all of the contact points...good as new!
From there I dropped my bike off at its assigned spot and we were done for the day. We headed back around the lake road and when I saw the whole thing I made it my race goal to not die. I heard there were hills, but this road was HILLY!
We went to our hotel to get changed and then met our friends back in Portland for dinner. We ate a cool little place called The Farm Cafe. We had an excellent meal and a couple of drinks and headed back to the hotel in Hillsboro.
Race morning:
Woke up around 5:30. Had a coffee and a pre-race nature call. Ate a little bit and headed to race site...about 25 minutes from the hotel. Parking was off-site with school buses to transport us to race area. Still dark outside. First wave starts at 7:15...mine starts at 8:24. Nature keeps calling, although I am suprisingly at ease. Again my only goal is "don't die."
As I'm returning from the porta-john, my wife says "I think your wave is starting!" I look down to the dock and see what looks like black swim caps on the start line...I run towards the water, but see that they are navy blue. Still on schedule. After a few more waves, I'm in the water waiting for the start. Get ready....GO!
SWIM: The water is a cool, but comfortable 73 degrees. Unlike the brown lakes of the midwest, it is a greyish-green color and somewhat clear. I start out swimming too fast, but calm down and settle in to a good rhythm. Too bad I can't swim in a straight line...I'm pulling to the left. I have to sight often and adjust back to the right. I'm getting a little bit mad at myself. I'm wondering how much longer my route is than the rectangular 1500 meter course that is laid out in the lake. I finally round the last bouy and head for the finish. I start kicking hard to get done faster and my right calf starts to cramp. I slow the kicking and it goes away. I finally hit the boat ramp and the loooooong run up hill to T1. Watch says 27:02...a good swim for me.
T1: I'm winded from the swim and the long run to transition. I fight with the wetsuit a little, get my shoes on, helmet on, glasses on, grab my bike, and head for the exit. Glasses steam up, take off glasses, hop on the bike and start the long climb up towards the bike course. (2:48)
BIKE: The bike course follows the road around the lake. It's a two loop course, loop one is a preview...On loop two I know what to expect; this is good and bad. The first part of the ride is slow. People are passing me, I'm trying to catch my breath and get a good cadence going. Hills, hills, hills. The uphills hurt, but the downhills are fun!
Just after the turn around was a 2KM long climb. I was going about 7 mph up this climb. The second time around I picked it up a little bit and was going 8-9 mph. First loop was really hard, second loop was pretty hard. I finished the bike and headed to T2. (1:16:11)T2: Transition was pretty quick. I was relaxed and smooth. Rack the bike, helmet off, bike shoes off, running shoes on, grab hat, grab race belt and GO! (1:24)
RUN: Did I mention those hills? The run course went in the opposite direction from the bike course, so the last 3+ miles of the bike course was a preview for the run. I just tried to relax and hold a consistent pace throughout the run. I was passing a few people on the run - but they were older people. I felt pretty good throughout the whole 10K.
I hit most of the water stops on the way out, although the weather was perfect. It was an overcast morning and the temperature was in the 60s. So, I never felt like I was getting too hot or dehydrated. I hit one water stop on the way back and that was all I needed. I started up the last uphill and then headed downhill towards the finish area, and it was over. (52:21) (2:39:45 total time)Overall I had an excellent experience. I really felt no pressure in this race. My biggest challenge was getting there...qualifying. The level of competition and difficulty of the course were so much greater than any race I had done previously, so I eventually just relaxed and soaked in the experience of being there.
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