MythBusters

I used the Hear and Sole Triathlon in Versailles, KY last weekend to "bust" the myth that "no one has ever won or lost a triathlon in the swim."  Well, Kevin Ryan was able to beat me in the race even though I had the fastest bike and run splits of the day.....leaving only the swim and transitions for him to beat me.  Myth Busted!!

I don't want to send the message that I am discouraged about this race.  Kevin is a good swimmer and I.....I am still working on my swim.  It has gotten better but losing :51 in a 400 yard swim suggests that I still need to make it a point to attend Master's Swim Practice several times per week.  I felt good going into the swim and I really felt comfortable and relaxed during the swim.  I think that I may have been able to squeeze another :06-:10 on the swim but that would be an absolutely perfect swim.  I will take my swim and I will continue to work on it.

I realized once we got out of the pool just how cold it was, but I knew from years past at this race if I took the time to put on arm warmers, gloves and/or a vest that Kevin (and several other competitors) would put some time into me.  So I transitioned and just jumped on my bike hoping that if I went hard enough that I would stay warm(er).  I pushed hard which was maybe a little harder than I was in cycling shape for but it was for warmth and survival.  It worked and I wasn't really as cold as I feared that I would be....except for my fingers.

I couldn't exactly feel my fingers coming into T2 but I was somehow able to get my helmet off and shoes on.  It took me a little bit of the run before I felt remotely comfortable with my stride and breathing, but that is a result of a little bit of overbiking and not doing any bricks.  I still ran well and know that with more bike fitness and more brick training, I will be able to get my running times closer to what I have been running this season.

The Heart and Sole is always fun because I can sleep in my own bed the night before, the course is surprisingly harder than I remember it every year and the weather is unpredictable.  The first two years that I raced it, the weather was beautiful, but for the past three or four years....not so much.  This race also allows me to try out any new stuff that I have.  I was very pleased with my new TYR equipment (googles, speedsuit and race suit, which was surprisingly quick drying).  A special thanks to all my other sponsors for helping to get me to the start line......SmithOptics, Infinit Nutrition, Scott, Tri-Bike Transport, CycleSmiths, Occupational Kinetics, Swiftwick, Brooks AirBrush Studio and Louisville Slugger.

Rodes City and Papa John's

Since my last post I have raced twice and had some great success.  I raced both the Rodes City Run 10K and the Papa John's 10-miler and got 5th place in each of them, won money running for the first time and set PR's in both races.  In addition, I believe that I "won" the Triple Crown of Running overall  with the fastest cumulative time for the 3 races combined.  This was partly because those ahead of me in the standings going into the 10-miler didn't race. 

While the placing results were the same, each race played out a little differently.  I went into both with the mindset that I would go out with the second group and try to push the pace from there.  This strategy leads to one of two results, either I am able to hold on and run a PR or I fall apart and struggle to the finish.  Luckily, both races resulted in the former, well sort of.

I was relaxed and alert at the beginning of the Rodes City 10K and was in a great position at the front of the second group when the first move happened.  I wasn't expecting the move to happen just after the mile marker, but it was the first (and basically only) hill on the course and Jonathan Reynolds made his move.  As it turned out, I was the only one (of about six) in our group that was willing to respond and we quickly created a gap.  I had to work to get back to his shoulder but when I did, we worked really well together and pushed the pace.  We extended our lead on the next group enough that I realized early that I was going to be in the money (baring that struggle to the finish).  Luckily for me, I didn't have to beat Jonathan to get in the money because he had a lot more pure speed than I did.  I tried to come back one last time, but it wasn't happening.  I still was able to set a PR and get a check.  I lowered my PR from 34:08 down to 32:36.  

My lesson learned during the 10K: Be alert at all times for the deciding move.

In contrast, at the Papa John's 10-miler, I tried too hard to make the deciding move early and found myself all alone.  Added to being alone, I had also gone out hard.  Maybe too hard because it was harder than the 10K and in contrast to that course, the 10-miler is not flat.  Well the first three miles are, but the next 3 1/2 miles are pretty challengingly hilly.  Luckily,  the last 3 1/2 miles are on flat roads.  My training had me ready for the flat, but not as much so for the hills.  I entered the hills 5th on the road with what I believed to be a sizable lead, but the early pace and my lack of hard running on hilly courses caused my pace to slow considerably and by the time I got back to flat land I was being chased.  I could tell because the cheering behind me was happening more quickly than before.  I held him off for awhile, but I could only put up a fight for a couple strides when he caught me.  It was a struggle to the finish, but it could have been worse.  It was a slightly positive split, but again a :51 PR.  If you do the math from my recap, I was 5th through the hills and got passed by one runner on the run in to the finish so the results have me listed in...........you guessed it, 5th place.  Hey, I'm not a mathematician, but 5th place means another check, so I will take it.

Lesson learned from the 10-miler: Be optimistic but realistic with your pacing.

I have fun racing and I have fun challenging myself to stay closer to that front pack.  If you are tired of going into each race with the same plan and coming out with the same results, then maybe it is time to stretch your limits.  You may fail, but you also may succeed.  Which one are you more afraid of?