Subaru Vancouver 1/2 2nd Overall-3:54:53

 
"Mental toughness is learned. It's not a skill that everyone has, or is born with. There are people that are born tougher than others mentally, or figure things out earlier in their life. But if you have motivation you can acquire mental toughness, it's just about what your body gets used to putting up with"  -Greg Jackson

  

     I find it's tougher to write a race report when you have a good race than a bad one.  When you struggle, it's easy to relate, easy to see what the problems were,etc...You just put it out there and just be honest.  But when you do something well, it feels like anything you write is either boasting, or false modesty, or making a race into a bigger deal than it really is.  

     The reality is, I had a solid race, and a really good run.  One that I felt I was capable of, but one that I haven't actually done in a race.  Terenzo Bozzone (World Champion, Athletes Lounge sponsored athlete) was in Portland for the last 2 weeks, and we had a good training block.  But honestly, what workouts can you do in a week and 1/2 that changes you as an athlete?  Not much, but it was a great chance to see where I was, see how my training was going relative to one of the best guys in the sport.  And it was very positive.  Terenzo is the better athlete, and we had stud runner Jared Bassett to keep the paces sharp, but I was a lot closer than I ever have been training with him.  And, probably most importantly, it just felt like solid training.  I wasn't training outside of myself. There's definitely a focus and quality when you train w/ the really good guys, for sure.  But I wasn't going home wrecked, it was a sustainable effort.

     It's probably the best triathlon running shape I've ever been in.  But without actually doing it in a race, you start to question, "can I really run fast in a 70.3?"  I told Terenzo I wanted to run 1:16, and he just flatly said "you should run much faster than that! You're in better shape than that...Come on, back yourself!"  And he's right, maybe I was just putting a limiter on myself.  

    So anyway, I was originally scheduled to race Muncie 70.3 this weekend, but things were getting very hectic here in Portland.  Athletes Lounge 1st training race/work/family etc... and the travel was just getting very tough to handle (a super early flight, Saturday race,no homestay or hotel near the race....) I know it sounds like excuses, but sometimes reality gets in the way.  

    So with the option to race a solid 1/2 Ironman (with a prize purse) in Vancouver, on Sunday, with a race organization I really like, It was really a pretty easy decision.  I felt fit, strong, and that I had too many excuses for a poor race in Muncie.  I wasn't looking for an excuse not to perform, I was looking for the opportunity to express my fitness.  So no excuses.

    Race day, w/ some solid athletes like Andrew Russell, Elliot Holtham, and Nathan Killam, good Canadian guys and they would keep the race honest.  A mass start swim, I'm not used to, and I got beat up early. It was a bit strange, I was really was out of it for most of the swim.

   "Maybe I just don't have it today" - That was actually my thought process, that maybe I was just flat, and not my day.  But I quickly got that out of my system, and got on the bike.  Pretty early, I was able to get my legs going, and move up to 3rd place on the bike, behind Andrew and Elliot, with a young Australian kid on the bike w/ me the whole day....

    So I tried to chase, was making a bit of time on the leaders, but then started to feel the effects and the gap opened later on the bike.  Elliot flatted, which was really unfortunate as he's in very good shape, but I had to focus on my race.  I took my time in transition, and left the Garmin in T2, I just wanted to go out there and RUN.  Forget pacing, forget good/bad, etc...I just wanted a relaxed upper body, a really good turnover, and just go for it. 

    It felt good.  Well, it felt pretty rough, but the good kind, when you're pushing the pace, not just suffering through a bad day.

    3:54:53, 2nd Overall.  Fastest run of the day w/ a 1:11:01 for 20k (the bike was slightly long, the run slightly short).  A 1:11 is a 1:14 equivalent for 13.1miles, which is really where my training has been.  It's a relief to finally run what I was capable of.  But previously, I was running w/ extra weight and less fitness.  Part of it is having a good race on  the day, but most of it is putting yourself in a position to really perform at your best. 

    I've had a lot of race results that include me just pushing through an average day, not feeling great, not terrible, but just staying tough, staying on it.  You hope to have a day where you feel good and can perform, so that all those tough races are worth it. 

    So now I know I'm capable,  but there's bigger races, there's a faster swim/bike, there's so much to improve, to race the big boys in the big races...but this definitely gives me confidence to get off the bike and run w/ those top guys.  Lots of work to be done.  It's crazy to get too proud of yourself for just racing up to your expectations. Trials of miles. Miles of trials....

   Do not think of yourselves more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement

                -Romans 12:3

    Thanks to all my family, my sponsors, my coach Cliff, my business partners and employees.  I really appreciate the opportunity to maintain the dream.  I know that I'm fortunate to have the situation and the support I have.  So thank you, I'll continue to give my best effort.

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*splits from www.sportstats.ca --

2

Chris Boudreaux

Portland, OR, USA

5

3:54:53

M-Elite

2/4

2/255

25:14

2:16:02

1:11:01

1:39

0:58

Confidence- Eagleman 70.3 and looking forward

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.   -Hebrews 10-35


  I recently found this written on an index card.  A friend had given it to me when I left LSU to go try and be a Pro Triathlete.  That was 12 years ago, I just saw it again last week....Confidence is a funny thing.  It's definitely on my mind right now, and it's relevant to both the last few races, and looking forward.  Confidence before a race is obviously important, but most of us can conjure up enough good feelings to feel good going into an event.  But when things don't go great (not terrible, just not what you expected), how do you keep your confidence?  I think for me, I need to be honest with myself, and look objectively at where I am and how do I have my best race going forward.

Eagleman 70.3 is one of the premier races in the country, for both pro's and amateurs.  It can (and usually is) a fast race, but because of the constant energy needed (no hills at all, so no breaks), when things aren't great, they can really just compound.  And the run is one long out-and-back, so that can be great, but it can also kind of eat at you when you're struggling.

I had a GREAT swim for me.  The times across the board were slow, but that's pretty irrelevant.  I got out of the water with Victor Zymetzev(Russia), James Cunnama(South Africa) , Mark Bowstead (New Zealand) and Jordan Jones (USA)...These are big time athletes, and have all won big races.  Legit pros.  So needless to say, I was pretty pumped.  I didn't do much different, but I found good feet, I really fought at the part where I usually get gapped, and I got in that pack.   Quick transition too, so I was out on the bike in perfect position.  This was actually a big step for me, and I'm really happy I was able to do it.  It doesn't mean that it will be easy going forward, but I know what I need to do.

On the bike, I was in 3rd position, exactly where I wanted to be.  We caught David Kahn, a very good athlete who was obviously having a bad day.  Then at some point, Jordan Jones decided he'd had enough "sitting in", and took off like a rocket.  It was a startlingly hard move, but everyone went.  If the other guys would have let him go, so would I, but that was not their plan, so off we went. After a while I just couldn't hold it.  My legs weren't great, but I had made the 1st 20-30 min, which is usually the tough part for me, but I still got dropped.  And when you're going way too hard for too long, the fallout is usually pretty bad.  I took in some calories and fluids, and just hoped someone fast would catch me, and we could go back in search of the leaders.  That didn't happen.  I can't keep hoping that someone will come along and tow me up to the group.  I did what I needed to do to get with the main contenders, and I didn't close the deal.  Just have to get better.

So my bike split was my worst of the season, but I was still off the bike in 7th or 8th.  I could either try and run smart, or try and make something happen.  Seeing the guys coming back at the turnaround, I thought there were one or two I could catch if I ran a solid (1:17-1:18) half marathon, but at the turnaround, I was shot.  It became just survival out there for me.  Really disappointing to run my slowest 1/2 in like 3 or 4 years.  But I gutted it out.  You can't be competitive when you run 8 min too slow.  But a top 10 MPRO finish at a high points race was good for my Ranking (from #187 to #106).  When you're feeling like that though, you don't think about finish times or placings, b/c then you'll just get down on yourself.  You just try to keep your form decent, and keep 1 foot in front of the other.

  It's always tough to write/say you didn't have a great race, when I know most people who read this feel like I was plenty fast enough, and most people would gladly take it.  But I think it's best to take the times/splits/finish out of it and just look at it from a personal performance standard.  We've all got our own goals and expectations, and we all want the best out of ourselves.  It was my slowest race of the year, on a fast course, and my slowest splits on the swim, bike, and run (though the swim was probably my best, just a long/high current swim course).  I haven't performed near as well in the last 2 races as the 1st two. Why?

That's where confidence comes in (see, this isn't just ranting, there's a point-maybe).  Why haven't the last races been great?  Do I all of a sudden suck?  No.  I went into Galveston on a huge, big training block, tapered, and raced great (minus the flat/penalty).  I had two weeks of holdover fitness into New Orleans, and I broke 4 hours.  The next two races were spread out so that we really couldn't do much serious training, mostly just stay moving between races.  So I raced 4 Half-Ironmans in 2 months(9 weeks).  And I couldn't really run any longer than those 13 miles, or do big hard rides and big hours.  I was able to train swimming relatively strong though, which explains why I haven't struggled as much there. So I've lost fitness. I wasn't building fitness through racing, I was ready for the 1st 2 races.  I know that I perform better with bigger training blocks, but I was excited to race.  And I'm glad I did.  But I also know how I can perform at my best, so I'll get back to the basics. Hard training, big miles, and hit that next race the way I prepare best.

Thanks for all the support from friends, family, sponsors, and supporters.  And thanks for making it to the end of this blog.  This was sort of the opposite of the last one, so thanks for taking the time to let me be honest.  Hopefully it can help.  I don't know what type of athlete any of you are, but just have the confidence to know what works best for you and prepare accordingly.

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Florida 70.3, in pictures

I've had a bit of trouble figuring out what to write for Florida 70.3. It was a race I put on the schedule mainly because we were traveling there for family stuff anyway (Sarah's brother's graduation), so the race in the area worked out well. It was a bit hectic leading into the race, but I was fine mentally and physically for the race. Truthfully, it just didn't play out well for me, and I had an "eh" sort of race. Tried to stay with the leaders on the swim, but dropped off about halfway, no one to work with on the bike, and I struggled on the hot run, reduced to what felt like a shuffle, and lost a few positions. But positives, I stayed with it, did the best I could, finished 13th overall (top 15 get points for World Championship qualifying). Even the sub-par race moved me up ~50 spots, so it was worth it to race, though I know I had a much better race in me.

      So instead of just rehashing a pretty mundane race, here's some pics from the week. Possibly more interesting, and at the least, quick to get through.

training weather was nice in Portland leading into the race

traveling with the family is a little different than solo

the boys helping me train race week

hanging with the shop dog at Epic Cycles in Clermont

race photo-exiting the swim

on the bike, leading a group of 5

this is not the look of someone running well

Bennett providing support post race

feeling good enough to take a pic w/ Sarah

Jack on a roller coaster the next day. He chose to ride w/ a girl instead of Daddy

back home!

Thanks again for all the support, and thanks to my sponsors, family, friends, etc... for supporting me on this journey.  Can't wait for the next race.  Eagleman 70.3 in Maryland, a big race I've always wanted to do.

Chris

New Orleans 70.3 -- 3:59:53

  "we came here to live life like nobody was watching....
  Learned from that failure, gained humility, and then we keep marching"

"expectations are resentments waiting to happen" 
                                                -Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

    Maybe a bit dramatic of a line for a race blog, but it speaks to me.  Can't be afraid of any other athlete I race, any thoughts associated w/ results, any concerns or comparisons to anyone else.  Just be yourself, be confident, and compete.  Accept what that is. Plus those are lines from songs I was listening to pre-race, so there's that.

    I can say I did that pretty well this weekend at Ironman New Orleans 70.3.   I had a fair amount of confidence coming in from Galveston, where I felt like a good result got taken because of a flat tire.  I took care of what I could to stop that from happening, mostly rested up leading into this race, and was ready to go.

    Race morning, and I knew it would be a tough race, with the last minute inclusion of Andreas Raelert, the man with the fastest Ironman time in history, as well as a very solid field w/ athletes like Trevor Wurtele, Brandon Marsh, Tim Van Berkel, and others....The head was screwed on right though, and I was game.

* It seems a lot of people saw pics/posts/etc...from our training camp in Tucson this year.  So this is a pretty cool video Sean Watkins (www.wattieink.com) made of the camp.  Nice to remember a great camp and plus, who doesn't love this song?  CEC Pro Camp video (www.cliffenglishcoaching.com)*

      Good swim for me, I actually stayed pretty close to the front 3 guys for a good part of the swim, but finally got gapped.  Settled in late with the main pack of contenders, and got out of transition in a great (top 5 overall) position.  Swim split: 25:27

     Unfortunately, the legs weren't there.  I just couldn't hold any watts early, and did everything I could to get in gear and stay with that main group.  Nothing outside of my control, just popped at 15 min.  15 minutes in, and it already seemed like my day was over.  There was a real part of me that just wanted to turn around, pack it up, and go home.  But that wasn't gonna happen, I tried to regroup, get in some fluids, and get back going.

me "not feeling it"

Derek Garcia came by after a while, and by then I felt a bit better, and could hang with him, though it was very tough for me.  I was discouraged at first, b/c the top guys were quite a bit ahead.  But I just stayed with it, and sure enough, by the last turnaround at Bayou Sauvage, we had made up a LOT of time.  Big confidence boost, though I almost lost it all back STRUGGLING the last 5-6 miles of the bike.  That's where I realized I was pretty low on the calories and fluids I typically aim for.  Oh well, not much to do about it then. Bike split: 2:11:28

Starting the run, I was kinda the same as the bike, just didn't have it.  I said on the run the same thing I said to myself on the bike- "bad legs now, good legs later"....I honestly have no basis for thinking that, but whatever works at the time, right?

  You don't get to be tough sometimes.  This is where you have to be tough, when things are bad, not when things are great.  It's easy to push when everything's clicking. Much harder when you're not feeling it. Run split: 1:20:20.

    So anyway....Not much more to say, other than I just kept going, though I was pretty trashed, and I just stayed on it, and got just under 4 hours, 3:59:53, 11th Overall.

     It was my first time under 4 hours, which is solid, especially on a tough day.  But I want to compete with the top guys, compete for podium finishes.  I'm not going to be happy with 11th place.  But I am thankful to take a step forward.  I'm grateful to have a complete race where I went the absolute best I can on the day.  But this is the starting point for the season, a lot of work to do, and a lot of time left on the table.

    Thanks so much to everyone who supports me. I just want to respect and represent all the support I have from everyone in my life.  Thanks to Sarah, my family (Mom, Dad, Jessy-next time you boil crawfish, make sure I'm in town!), my business partners, everyone who lets me keep this up.  And my boys for singing Thrift Shop with me and continuing to ask me why I didn't win (I'm trying!). Thanks to my great friend Ryan for hanging all weekend and just being a big help with everything. Big thanks to my sponsors for everything you do for me, it's great having you guys in my corner. Let's keep this going and keep improving.

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Galveston 70.3...that was, uh, interesting.

      "the first skill to learn is the art of letting go the human inclination to judge ourselves and our performances as either good or bad" -Timothy Gallwey
 

  Galveston 70.3 was the 1st race of the season for me. Training has been going very well, a good 3 week camp in Tucson, but we backed that up w/ another really good 3 week block. I think it's easy to go from season to season and try new things, look for that magic training plan or workouts that will bring you to the next level.  I really didn't do any of that this year.  But I've really focused on just doing everything right.  So whatever Cliff's plan was, whatever my nutrition plan, just doing it all as prescribed.  I handled the training well and was fairly confident going into the race.  There's always a question mark before the first race, but at least it was a good chance to see where my early season fitness was.

 

me looking appropriately disinterested during the pro meeting

    Relaxed travel and I felt good leading into the race.  Got a chance to get a good warmup, and had a great start in the wetsuit legal swim.  Couldn't quite stay with the Richie Cunningham/Will Clarke group, but settled in right on Pedro Gomes feet, and got out of the water and into transition in 25:19 with Chris McDonald, Tim Van Berkel, Gomes, and most of the other contenders.

    I was smart on the bike, but committed to staying strong.  The pace was solid, and I was definitely above my target watts at times, but that's how racing works.  I knew Van Berkel and McDonald would be in the mix of this race, so that's where I planned to stay.

   I heard a good quote from Jesse Thomas' California 70.3 race report, "courage over confidence"...He got that from a sports psychologist he works with, and I just stole it from his blog.  So maybe I'm misinterpreting it, but it seemed to work for me.  Forget about any preconceived expectations of where you, or anyone else in the race "should" be.  You don't deserve to be ahead of some other guy just because you think you've "paid your dues."  Likewise,  there's no reason why, if I'm fit enough, I shouldn't be at the front of the race or ahead of anyone else, regardless of their palmares.

  A decent group heading out, Chris McDonald finally made a big move that only Tim Berkel and myself went with.  A small gap formed from them to me, but I was back on by about 38 miles, and we were closing on on 1st place.  Galveston has multiple timing mats, so there's evidence that I was riding very well, and had outsplit Richie C.  and the other leader ...here are the 1st 3 checkpoints:

15.5 mi 15.5 mi 35:13 1:02:59 26.41 mi/h
28 mi 12.5 mi 27:22 1:30:21 27.41 mi/h
40.5 mi 12.5 mi 28:50 1:59:11 26.01 mi/h

*updated w/power file:

http://www.trainingpeaks.com/av/55LY6VSOCVA2UKUCKL4ARC4WEAIV636VM4R65BY

I was under control, but riding well.  Then, BAM!   Flat rear tire.  I honestly couldn't believe it.  A huge cut on the tire, so a Co2 was useless.  No tech support (until mile 54!) so I really had two options, pull out and get a ride back, or just ride it out.  It was pretty frustrating to be passed (and passed, and passed) by groups of guys I was well ahead of. If you've ever ridden on a flat, you go from 26-27 mph, to 20 mph, like that. 16 miles was a long time to ride on a flat, but it was my only option at that point.

 Then, to add insult to injury, a group of 5 guys passed me, and the last guy sat up to take a gel.  The official with them told me I entered the passing zone, and had to pass the group.  I told him it was "f***ing impossible" as I had a flat and could only go as fast as I was going.  Red card, 4 min penalty.  I was pretty upset about this (and let him know) but what can you do?  I had a different official w/ me the WHOLE ride before I flatted.  I was proud of my ride, and felt like the call was more to just make a call, not to insure a clean race.

  "it is not so difficult to have a beginner's mind and to be willing to invest in loss when you are truly a beginner, but it is much harder to maintain that humility and openness to learning when people are watching and expecting you to perform" - Josh Waitzkin

So my "breakthrough" race out the window, I reminded myself I was there to get a race under my belt, and see where my fitness was.  What else was I gonna do that day, right?  AJ Baucco, who also had a flat tire early on the bike, ran up on me in the 1st 2 miles, and we just tried to give an honest effort and see if we could catch a few guys (which we did).  I think I was capable of a faster run, but a low 1:18, considering the situation, at least made it an solid day. Also, riding well pre-flat, I wanted to prove, mostly to myself, that I had the fitness for the whole race.

the only race pic I currently have

    So, despite the problems, I still went 4:05:14.  Which in years past I'd probably be happy with.  But me and Cliff knew I was around 3:55 shape, and I think that showed.  As I said after the race, moral victories suck, but I gave the best effort I could on the day.  Going forward...just stay fit, continue to try to do things right, and fight another day.

Next up is New Orleans 70.3, followed by Florida 70.3.

Big thanks to my sponsors/support team.  Athletes Lounge, Blue Seventy, Rolf Prima, BMC bicycles, ClubSport Oregon, Craft USA, Oakley, Sci-Con, and Quietly Fierce Media.

 Also a huge thanks to my incredible coach Cliff English, and Jesse Kropelnicki of QT2 for the nutrition/body composition work.  And especially thanks to my family, for unconditional support for what I do.

  Thanks.

IMAZ

Well, it's been over a week post Ironman Arizona, and it sucks just as much now as it did the day after.

I swam ok, 55:0x, and had a good transition.  Onto the bike, and I was feeling pretty good.  Good legs, riding w/ another pro and near goal race wattage.  But then I got greedy.  With 70 Pro men, it's hard to stay controlled, and not "go for it"....I rode the middle section of the 3 loop bike course way too fast, for the fitness/level I was at.  And I paid pretty big for it.  I was really fading on that 3rd loop, including getting passed by the guys I had dropped earlier in the ride.

It's a tough balance between focusing on your best possible race, and realizing that "yes, it is a race, and it's my job to be as close to the front as I can"... The bad patches that are a part of Ironman....in previous races, I've managed, dealt with them.  Maybe the pace lagged, maybe I sat up a bit, but I got through them.  This race, I attacked the bad patches.  When things would get tough, the legs would burn, I'd downshift and just ride harder.  That seems great in theory, but I don't think it did my run any favors.

Additionally, I was expecting a cool, overcast day, based on the previous days, and the weather report for Sunday.  While it wasn't extraordinarily hot or windy for AZ, it was clear, sunny, and stale, and I was definitely feeling a dry mouth, and some early cramping I hoped would subside.

Off the bike 4:38 (24.1mph), and when I saw the overall race clock at 5:35, I figured there was no way I wasn't going to go 8:30 and take that next jump in Ironman racing.  I was so confident in my run, so sure I was going to run well, it didn't even occur to me that I could really mess up my race on the bike.  I had run so well in training, and was so sure that I would run fast, I think I was overconfident.

Confidence in yourself is good, but sometimes it tips into the way of thinking more about the outcome, and less about the process.  I ignored signs that maybe I needed to relax, focus on nutrition, etc... instead I was just 100% focused on that time/placing goal.

That attitude came into play on the run as well.  Like I said, I was so confident in the run, even though I was feeling some cramps, and some weak legs, I just assumed they'd come around. So when the pace was over 7:00 miles, I was kinda freaked.  Instead of just going with it, and hoping they'd come around, I forced the pace down to what my goal pace was.  Now that's not really flying for me, esp, early in the run, but I was running as hard as I could. And after 3 or 4 more miles, my body just had enough. A pretty sharp pain in my right calf was causing me to limp, and then cramping to both quads, and I couldn't even walk.  It was pretty ridiculous, though I tried multiple times to keep going, I was just done.

So that's how the season ends. It's extremely disappointing.  I had a solid season, and was reminded of that.  But it's tough to end on a sour note.  I guess the big advantage is I am extremely motivated for the winter, to improve, and come back stronger, fitter, and faster than ever.

Big thanks for all the support I received this race and this season and going forward.  My sponsors,  Blue Seventy, Rolf Prima, ClubSport Oregon, Oakley, Craft-USA,  Sci-Con bags, Quietly Fierce Media, and of course my team at Athletes Lounge.  I appreciate the support so much, and look forward to continuing to support you guys, hopefully as much as you support me.

My coach Cliff English, my nutrition/body comp guru Jesse Kropelnicki, and my training partner/wattage and pace analyst, Chris Bagg.  You guys really helped so much this year, teaching me things I should have probably figured out by now.  I appreciate the help.

To my great homestays Steve and Brandon, you guys are great, and it made the whole weekend so easy and enjoyable with all your support.

My family, my boys,  my wife Sarah who is doing her 1st Marathon this January, now it's time for her to be the athlete.  Thank you so much for your love and support, and alllowing me to keep trying to figure this crazy sport out.

That's it for now, I'll take a little down time, then right back into training for next season.  Race schedule still a little up in the air, but I love this distance, and can't wait to race again.

"Maturity is a big part of success in fighting, because it means you understand the game-that losing is part of the game.  It doesn't mean to let yourself get conquered, but to know that you can win again, at the right time you can be great. The key to doing well in competition is to accept"  -Ricardo Liborio

Cedar Point- 9th OA, 8:52:16

 "He congratulates me and we talk about the match over a beer.  He says he hates that kind of heat and humidity. I tell him I love it. He says they have to do something about the planes flying overhead during a match.  I tell him I love those planes."   -Brad Gilbert

   I've been reading a few books by Brad Gilbert, and this quote from Winning Ugly really spoke to me. How you approach what can be seen as a negative; headwinds, heat, rough roads, a bad start...It makes a huge difference in these long races if you can see it as an advantage.  What really is interesting to me about Gilbert, a workhorse, a thinker, a grinder, who made a long and successful career in tennis, was that he became an athlete like that. It wasn't his natural predisposition.  It didn't define his early game.  He committed himself to becoming that athlete.

  After Coeur d'Alene,  I figured I'd get back to racing fairly soon.  Planned to race about 3 races then Rev 3 Cedar Point.  Well, an incredibly stiff neck stretched out to about 3 1/2 weeks, before I figured out something was actually wrong with me, and began getting treatment from the guru, Dr. Chris Ramsey.  Got better soon after, but minus a bike/run at Rolf Prima's Tri at the Grove (that actually went really well), I was going into Cedar Point with no racing between iron distance races.  Not ideal, but the prep had gone well, and I felt confident.

    You have to be honest with yourself.  You have to decide if you're working your way up the ladder, or if something's wrong.  Well, something was wrong with the way I was approaching my bike.  The workouts were designed well by my coach, Cliff, but I wasn't putting enough thought into really executing the wattage and the workouts perfectly.  Cliff didn't make drastic changes to the program.  I made drastic changes to how I approached those workouts. My goal was to improve my focus on my bike, and still keep the run focus the same.  Probably need to rethink my mental swim focus now.

    Pretty tired after the (almost) cross-country flight, and overslept through the Friday practice swim.  With no pools in the area, I figured Saturday's practice swim would work.  Except it was cancelled because of bad weather.  So I was going 3 days without swimming leading into the race.  Still, I had been swimming better in training, so I figured I'd be fine.

    Like I said before, I was confident, and started the swim in great position, except that position where I got dropped like a stone about 400 meters in.  Stuck swimming solo for most of the 2 lap swim, I must have gotten off course, added a bouy or something, because when I got out of the water, I was WAY slower than I've ever been, and quite I few athletes I never saw pass me were up the road on the bike.  Frustrating, but it is a very long day, and I wasn't ready to throw in the towel.

    Heading out to the ride, I had a very specific pacing plan.  But with the slow swim, wind in my face, and riding solo, I saw the writing on the wall.  Another finish farther back than I'd like, out of the money and over 9hrs.  I didn't have great legs, but I was feeling "game"...up for a challenge.  I had a feeling that I could ride hard, above threshold, and still manage the day.  So I just put my head down, and rode hard, ignored the plan for the 1st hr, and got up a little bit.  Passed some guys, and felt a bit better about my position in the race, and the pace I was holding.

    Had a tough patch around 60 miles, my hip was super tight, and my power was dropping pretty quickly.  So I made an interesting decision.  I got off and stretched it out.  In the past, I'm sure I would have figured that was it for me, I blew it.  But after I stretched it, took another quick bathroom break, I got back on my bike, and got back on pace.  4:4x ride, pretty much totally solo, but not terrible.

    Into transition, I felt pretty decent, you know, besides the whole riding 180k thing.  My pace was hot, and had to control myself as the Garmin pace had me in the high 6:20's.  But I didn't slow it down past 6:30 flat.  I also made sure I was getting in calories and fluids according to plan.  Am I ready yet to run 6:30 pace for the Ironman marathon?  No, but like the bike, I had a feeling I was capable of going out hot, moving up some spots, and then holding on for dear life.  Would it hurt?  Sure, but the 2nd half of the marathon hurts anyway, so why not bank some fast miles while I can?  I ran the 1st 1/2 of the marathon in 1:25.  Had some rough patches in there, but had a nice battle with Zach Ruble, chasing him for pretty much the whole run. I ran 3:01, with 26.65 miles on my Garmin.  He held me off by less than 2 minutes, but it was fun, "racing" an Ironman.

    8:52:16.  9th Overall, and some money for the effort.  It was a good day, I was happy with how I held together, and fought for the best result I had in me on the day.  Still, I have a lot of confidence that I had a better race in me that day, as well as room to improve in the future.  Victor Zyemtsev won this race and  Ironman Coeur d'Alene, and I significantly reduced my gap to him this time.  It's a gap I can work from.

    Again, I was just thankful to be able to be healthy and competing. Thanks to everyone who supports me, allows me to see these improvements that keep me working.  My unbelievably supportive family, my boys watched the live feed waiting for me to come in... all the texts, emails, phone calls after the race from friends.  It means so much to have your support.  To the whole crew at Athletes Lounge, thanks for doing such a great job and allowing me to train and race like this. To my sponsors, Blue Seventy, Rolf Prima, Rudy Project, Garmin, Quietly Fierce Media, Ameriprise.... It's been great having a real relationship with you guys.  I do my best to represent you guys well, and I'll continue to do what I can to repay your support.  Big thanks to my coach Cliff English, who continues to push me and oversees the whole plan. To Jesse Kropelnicki who helped me be 6 lbs lighter than CDA, as well as having an excellent (and repeatable) nutrition plan.  Also a big thanks to Chris Bagg, who in addition to being a great training partner, has also been a huge help in dialing in my power plan in training and racing.

   Also, special thanks to the crew at Rev 3.  It was a great event, and I met a ton of cool people.  I was hanging out that night at the finish line, talking, laughing, trading t-shirts (pics soon), it was just a blast.  I'm definitely planning to race there again next season.  You guys do a great job, and the people participating were some of the coolest and most likeable people I've hung out with at a race.  Thanks for making it a great weekend.

  I'll post the rest of the race season plans soon.  Right now I'm enjoying the downtime with my whole family, and really looking forward to the pain in my legs subsiding.

    Thanks for reading