New Orleans 70.3

    Raced New Orleans 70.3 over the weekend.  As most of you know, the swim was cancelled, the bike was shortened, so it wasn't actually a 70.3, but close enough.  Considering the relatively small prize purse, the race was stacked, mostly b/c of a lack of additional pro races this weekend.  Terenzo Bozzone, T.J. Tolakson, Richie Cunningham, Tom Lowe, Michael Lovato, etc...as well as an equally impressive women's field, it was a very solid race.

thanks to Louisiana Running Company for the pics

The race started with a 2 mile run, and I got out well.  I was running in the top 5 for most, and though everyone surged at the end of the run, I was still on the back of the 1st group and right where I hoped I would be.  Not the fastest transition, but good enough, and started riding, trying to stay with the lead pack.  Similar to Oceanside, I just didn't have the legs early.  Surprising, as I hoped the 1st run may have helped that, but whatever.  Had many guys who got to the front (T.J, Damian, Damon, Evoe, Marsh etc...) all behind me starting the bike, and I needed to get with those guys, but just couldn't.  Again, ended up settling for a group that wasn't going fast enough, and while I did a lot of work later to try to catch up, I lost way too much time on a bike that was perfect for me (flat and windy).

A few of the guys who were riding with me got bike penalties, so I started the 13.1 mile run alone.  And that's how I stayed for most of it.  I thought I was running well, but looking at the Garmin, the pace was just slow.  I ran w/ almost a perfect heart rate progression, but it didn't translate to a good run.  Another race in the mid 20 placings, and I would say definitely a worse race than Oceanside.

I know that I have other commitments (Athletes Lounge, family, clinics, etc...).  But when you take a professional license, any excuses go out the window.  I just have to get better, step up to the level I've decided to race at.

The positives:

 I continued to keep "racing" and gave my best effort, even though it was not at all where I wanted/expected to be.  I hope that pays off eventually.

Another race experience, more to learn from.

Got to spend the weekend with my best friend Ryan, who I haven't seen in a long time.

I also saw a different side of New Orleans this trip, something I never really experienced growing up (or in college) when I lived in Louisiana.  I've never really gotten the attraction to the city, but I think I was only ever in the really "touristy" areas (bourbon street), or other, less attractive parts of town.  We ate at some great restaurants, saw some some really cool neighborhoods and areas that I didn't really know.  We went down to the Earth Day festival (which was mostly just N.O. funk, plus beer and food).  It was a cool vibe.  People dancing, just having a great time.  I finally "get" why people from New Orleans love it there.  If you only experience Canal St, the Riverwalk, and the French Quarter, you'll miss it.

The negatives:


I'm not where I want to be fitness wise.  I don't know if it's having other commitments, or lack of effort, or just simply needing a bit more time to get my legs under me, but I'm not competitive at all right now.

I see the improvements of those guys who I was generally competitive with, now winning or getting on the podium at these races.  I'm stagnant.  I'm just too far back.  I need to really step it up in all aspects.  I have great coaching, great training partners, an excellent nutrition coach, awesome sponsors, and great family support.  I have NO EXCUSES.  I love racing, I love training. I really love this sport, and know I can be successful at the professional level.  But I'm not there right now.  I'm learning how to tough it out on the bad days, and make the best of the race as it plays out.  But I don't want to be complacent with being off the back of the pro race, when I know I'm capable of being up there.  It's one thing to be completely out of contention, but when you're there, when you're on the bike w/ guys who make the podium, you have to step up or step down.

Oceanside 70.3

Race report from Oceanside 70.3, 3/31/12...Haven't updated the blog since IM Arizona, but with Twitter/Facebook/etc...Race reports seem like a good idea for blog posts, esp since I'll just link this through those other avenues. Anyway...

Oceanside 70.3 was my 1st race of this season, the 1st since Ironman Arizona. I didn't take a very long break after IM, but definitely approached the winter training conservatively. I think Cliff was careful not to overdue things too early, make it through the winter healthy and ready for a long season. That said, I went into our big camp in Tucson with Cliff, and had a very good camp. It definitely made me feel better about racing this early. In addition, Jesse Kropelnicki of QT2 systems, had me do some careful weight loss during this off season, trying to lose a little mass. It definitely seemed to work, as my weight is down from traditional early season, and some mass in my arms and chest seem to be smaller. That said, there's still weight to lose, and I could have gone into this race lighter than I was.

Never sure what to expect from the 1st race, which is generally a disaster each year, this was a more solid outing. Starting the swim far right, with only Andy Potts, Matt Reed, and myself, I had a great start and a chance to get into a rhythm without fighting it out with the rest of the guys. That said, as I moved into the pack, which I thought had thinned out, was still too crowded and hadn't broken up. I got in a pack that I really was trying to be ahead of, but at some point you just find a set of feet and ride it in. Pretty uneventful and tried to get into transition aggressively, something I didn't do great last year.

Solid, but not blazing transition, and then onto the bike. This was the big problem of the race, the 1st 10-15 minutes of the bike. I had 3 (or more) guys that made it into the main pack on the bike (Mcdonald, Thompson, Kilshaw) all with me at the beginning of the bike. And I just couldn't go. It's a feeling I've experienced before, and it's extremely frustrating. The legs just won't go. That said, it's something I can work on and improve. I just haven't been doing any quick swim to hard bike transitions, but it's time.

In the pro race, things like this completely change the race. I can put together a solid, decent effort, and do OK. but to get in the money, to really put yourself up there, you have to be w/the leaders.

A few other groups of guys went past, and I was pretty frustrated. With that, my bento-style nutrition was flopping around, and seriously messing up my riding. I had to soft pedal, sit up, pull off the velcro, and toss it. Not acceptable, I tried something I'm used to, but not on this bike. All wasting time. I got in with a few other riders, and tried to make the best of the situaton. Karl Bordine (strong cyclist) came by, and I went with him. Got dropped on the hilly section, and was later caught by my training partner Chris Bagg. We rode the rest of the ride together, and seemed to close in on a few guys coming into transition 2.

At this point, I was pretty frustrated, but thought that if I could put together a solid run, I could gain something from the day. Legs felt pretty off, and I didn't think I "had it", but looking at my Garmin, it had me averaging just under 6 min miles, so I knew it wasn't that bad. Got passed by Chris Bagg, but seemed to be able to match pace with him after that. Passed a few guys, ran 1:19, and finished 24th OA. Met the base requirements of being a male pro (not getting beat by any females or amateurs), but even with a big pro field (51 men)...that result is just not good enough.

It's early, the 1st race, etc...but I have a higher expectation level for myself, and I feel like a better result at this point was possible. But it is a race, it was an honest effort, and it's something to start from.

Support... I'm really appreciative of all the support I have, and I definitely owe it to you all to keep improving. My whole team at Athletes Lounge, having the comfort of being able to race and train like this, while they make this vision we had for our shop a reality. Sean at Quietly Fierce, who is unbelievably supportive and in my corner, thanks for all your hard work on a very busy weekend. Everyone at Blue Seventy, the wetsuit and race kit were great, and Mike got me a new pair of Nero goggles for the race (I lost mine en route). Brian, Brooke, Pete, the whole crew at Rolf. They sent me a set of 58's to use until my new race wheels are ready. They go out of their way to be helpful and supportive, and the wheels are great. Loved the helmet, glasses, and travel bag from Rudy Project, everything worked flawlessly. And thanks for the continued support from Justin and Scott at Ameriprise Financial.

Thanks for reading...