I'm missing a few end of the season races, but ill go through them quick because most didn't turn out as planned. I raced the Chicago Triathlon at the end of August and besides the fact that I rode past the turn around I think I would of had a great race, but I did enjoy Chicago since I have never been there before and hope to be back in the future to race there as a pro.
After Chicago I did a 5k as part of the Track Shack Series and ran a disappointing time, but I kept my head up for nationals which was in 2 weeks in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Marc and I flew into Birmingham on Friday before the race and we were picked up by a good friend who went to the University of Alabama. It was great to have someone drive us around who was familiar with the area. Leading up to the race my swim and bike was feeling great but the running wasn't feeling as good so I was a little worried but I put it in the back of my mind. I was focused and ready to go.
The swim was in a wide river and I came out of the water about 40seconds down from the lead, so I had a pretty solid swim. I jumped on the bike and started to find my rhythm as I knew this bike course really well. I had watched a youtube video of the course several times before coming to race. The rolling hills on the bike course turned out to be a bit challenging but I felt I rode to my potential so I was feeling good coming into T2. Going out on the run is when things started to take a turn for the worst.
There were two big hills and some smaller steep climbs on the run course which made it a pretty challenging run, not to mention the scorching heat which I think was a big factor. In my mind I had envisioned going out very controlled and just trying to stay relaxed on the hills and when I hit three miles it was time to go. The run didn't really go that way. After about three miles I could really start feeling my core temperature going up. Around mile marker four my pace slowed dramatically and I felt very dizzy and on the verge of passing out from the heat, I basically death marched the last 2-3 miles of the run in and was just happy to finish. That run was probably one of the most challenging I have ever done. My finish time was a disappointing 2hr 2min and 54 sec. I think I was about 11th in my age group and 35th overall. It was a tough way to end my triathlon season, but I am happy with the effort on the day and have learned alot from this experience.
One thing that will definitely change in races to come, especially those that are in the heat is my nutrition. I neglected it on race day and forgot it all together to bring from home which was a big mistake and will not happen again. Electrolytes and salts are the most important things on a hot day and I did not have enough of them before and during the race which I think had a big impact on my performance. So lessons learned.
Anyway now that the season is over I get a 2 week break before the run season begins, I am excited about bringing my running to the next level to achieve my goals for next years triathlon season.
Here are list of triathlon results for the year.
3/7 Elite Development race Clemont- 15th
3/28 Great Clermont Triathlon- 3rd
4/25 St. Anthony's Triathlon - 1st Elite Amateur
6/12 Clermont Sprint Tri - 2nd
6/28 Coteau Du Lac Pan Am Cup- 34th
7/31 Elite Development race Colorado Springs- 11th
8/27 Chicago Triathlon- 14th amateur
9/24 Age Group National Championship- 35th overall
