Post by MarkD on Jul 11, 2008 18:36:00 GMT -5
Fresh off of my inner struggles after the Morgantown 1/2 IM, I decided that I needed to "go short" to feel a bit better. Unknowing to me, the HFP Caeser Creek race was going to be this past weekend - its usually the week after. I was going to be in the Cincy area anyhow over the 4th weekend, so I registered for the sprint - figuring with very little training this week (rest week after the 1/2), I should relatively fresh and able to hammer out a short race.
Fast forward to race day - Caesar Creek is HFP's biggest Ohio race (over 700 athletes). I got there way early to get set up and simply chill out. Good thing too... They ended up starting 20 minutes late 'cause of the HUGE line of folks waiting to do packet pickup at the last minute (I heard Deer Creek was the same way this year... unusual for HFP).
Anyhow, my goal was to red-line this race - go uncomfortably hard on the swim and bike then give it my all on the run. I figured if a good lung-burning couldn't get the bad taste out of my mouth, nothing would...
Mission accomplished: I hit the swim hard and fast - not all out, but definately hard enough to make my lungs squeal a bit. I came out of the water 2nd in my AG and quickly caught the dude in front of me the first mile of the bike. The bike was interesting - again, going real hard but not all out, at about mile 3 I started following (legally - 3 bike lengths) someone who was obviously stronger than me. I was able to pace him until about mile 10 when he began pulling away. No problem. I turned up the intensity a bit more and was feeling good about my race...
... That is until 1/2 mile to go on the bike. A fast dude in my AG caught and passed me. Morgantown flashed in my head all over again. I started thinking too much - why am I getting weak late in races. A 1/2 Iron I can understand - but a sprint ?? PLEASE... Maybe I'll catch this dude in the run - after all, the plan was to go all out...
... on to the run. I took the first 1/4 mile at 90% effort to loosen up the legs. I was gaining on the dude that passed me on the bike. No problem... maybe I can do this and stay comfortable. Spoke too soon !! As I was about to pass this guy, I heard footsteps coming hard behind me. I'm guessing its a 20 something or an elite who I could care less about... nope, its another guy in my AG blowing by me. SH*T !!! My anger from the previous week, at that very point, boiled over. I told myself that I will not get blown away, yet again, by bunches of people on the run. Then I thought of what Aussie Rob said after his outstanding 1/2 Iron effort at the end of his run: "I can do anything for 20 minutes". Well, I had about 16 minutes to go... So, I completely red-lined it - everything I've got - I'm either gonna win my AG or get beat giving my best effort. I quickly run up behind him, pace him for about 200 yards then make my move. Luckily it was on an up-hill and I think I had better power than him, so, I could get a few yards in front. Approaching the 1 mile marking... I can do anything for 13 minutes... I keep it redlined - lungs screaming at me - legs feel pretty good though. I see the elites coming back the other direction - not bad - especially since they had a 3 minute head start in wave 1. Turn around approaching - hmmm I wonder how far back he is. Make the turn - yep - he's only 5 yards behind me, but his face is beat red - it was clear that he was going to try to pace me and out sprint me at the end... dam*, I don't want to get into a sprint race. I HAVE to win this now - not in the last 50 yards. Run harder. Run angry - remember how bad you felt last week when your strength was completely gone... Approaching the 2 mile mark... I can do anything for 6 minutes.... The legs now are starting to tire a bit - but not much - still feeling strong - lungs about to come out of my body. With a 1/2 mile to go, again, I hear footsteps coming fast and hard. I'm thinking - well he's making his move - maybe I'll have to pace him and get into a sprint at the end - man, I don't want to do that.. The pass happens - wait, its not him - its someone from the 40-44 AG - wow is he fast - I don't care - not my AG, and besides, he has a 3 minute lead given his wave start. 1/4 mile to go - I can do anything for 2 minutes. Hit the 3 mile marker... I wonder how far back he is - I refuse to look - give it your all - I can do anything for 30 seconds. go. go. go. cross the finish line. Look back. He's right there, 9 seconds back. We both double over in pain and slap hands. Hell of a race - I'm sooo glad we didn't get into a sprint out !!
Caesar Creek is a great course. The bike course roads are really good - not holes, big bumps, etc. Rolling hills makes it a bit challenging, but not too bad. The run course is mostly cross-country and scenic. Definately worth doing again.
Congrats to Jeff Wilson - another sub-2 hour olympic race and overall win. The Jawman ROCKS !!
Fast forward to race day - Caesar Creek is HFP's biggest Ohio race (over 700 athletes). I got there way early to get set up and simply chill out. Good thing too... They ended up starting 20 minutes late 'cause of the HUGE line of folks waiting to do packet pickup at the last minute (I heard Deer Creek was the same way this year... unusual for HFP).
Anyhow, my goal was to red-line this race - go uncomfortably hard on the swim and bike then give it my all on the run. I figured if a good lung-burning couldn't get the bad taste out of my mouth, nothing would...
Mission accomplished: I hit the swim hard and fast - not all out, but definately hard enough to make my lungs squeal a bit. I came out of the water 2nd in my AG and quickly caught the dude in front of me the first mile of the bike. The bike was interesting - again, going real hard but not all out, at about mile 3 I started following (legally - 3 bike lengths) someone who was obviously stronger than me. I was able to pace him until about mile 10 when he began pulling away. No problem. I turned up the intensity a bit more and was feeling good about my race...
... That is until 1/2 mile to go on the bike. A fast dude in my AG caught and passed me. Morgantown flashed in my head all over again. I started thinking too much - why am I getting weak late in races. A 1/2 Iron I can understand - but a sprint ?? PLEASE... Maybe I'll catch this dude in the run - after all, the plan was to go all out...
... on to the run. I took the first 1/4 mile at 90% effort to loosen up the legs. I was gaining on the dude that passed me on the bike. No problem... maybe I can do this and stay comfortable. Spoke too soon !! As I was about to pass this guy, I heard footsteps coming hard behind me. I'm guessing its a 20 something or an elite who I could care less about... nope, its another guy in my AG blowing by me. SH*T !!! My anger from the previous week, at that very point, boiled over. I told myself that I will not get blown away, yet again, by bunches of people on the run. Then I thought of what Aussie Rob said after his outstanding 1/2 Iron effort at the end of his run: "I can do anything for 20 minutes". Well, I had about 16 minutes to go... So, I completely red-lined it - everything I've got - I'm either gonna win my AG or get beat giving my best effort. I quickly run up behind him, pace him for about 200 yards then make my move. Luckily it was on an up-hill and I think I had better power than him, so, I could get a few yards in front. Approaching the 1 mile marking... I can do anything for 13 minutes... I keep it redlined - lungs screaming at me - legs feel pretty good though. I see the elites coming back the other direction - not bad - especially since they had a 3 minute head start in wave 1. Turn around approaching - hmmm I wonder how far back he is. Make the turn - yep - he's only 5 yards behind me, but his face is beat red - it was clear that he was going to try to pace me and out sprint me at the end... dam*, I don't want to get into a sprint race. I HAVE to win this now - not in the last 50 yards. Run harder. Run angry - remember how bad you felt last week when your strength was completely gone... Approaching the 2 mile mark... I can do anything for 6 minutes.... The legs now are starting to tire a bit - but not much - still feeling strong - lungs about to come out of my body. With a 1/2 mile to go, again, I hear footsteps coming fast and hard. I'm thinking - well he's making his move - maybe I'll have to pace him and get into a sprint at the end - man, I don't want to do that.. The pass happens - wait, its not him - its someone from the 40-44 AG - wow is he fast - I don't care - not my AG, and besides, he has a 3 minute lead given his wave start. 1/4 mile to go - I can do anything for 2 minutes. Hit the 3 mile marker... I wonder how far back he is - I refuse to look - give it your all - I can do anything for 30 seconds. go. go. go. cross the finish line. Look back. He's right there, 9 seconds back. We both double over in pain and slap hands. Hell of a race - I'm sooo glad we didn't get into a sprint out !!
Caesar Creek is a great course. The bike course roads are really good - not holes, big bumps, etc. Rolling hills makes it a bit challenging, but not too bad. The run course is mostly cross-country and scenic. Definately worth doing again.
Congrats to Jeff Wilson - another sub-2 hour olympic race and overall win. The Jawman ROCKS !!
