Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Fort Custer Last Stand Xterra Race Report

http://www.nickfares.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/XTERRA-Last-Stand.jpgRace results: 1:58:02  Placement: 12/25
Swim: 14:28 (8th)
Bike: 56:24 (6th)
Run: 44:37 (21st)
TSB (Biking/SBR): 1.9/-3.0


T Set UpFirst triathlon of the year and was feeling very confident.  The morning started out great, although I arrived almost two hours before the start.  Being the first TRI I wanted to take my time setting up the T-Area, which really only took me 15 minutes, but I guess it’s better early than late.

Swim
Water temp was 72 degrees, which surprised everyone.  I choose the sleeveless wetsuit and that was perfect. Swimming Start 3 Other than the first dribble of cold water going down my back, I never thought of the water temp again. 


I was extremely confident in my swimming abilities so I went to the front of the pack and tried to stay with the lead pack as long as possible.  I ended up three minutes behind the leaders, but did finish 6th in my class.  The only issues I noticed during my swim was my right arm drag was very weak and I didn’t push myself as hard as I should. 

When I got in my groove, I lost focus on my non-breathing arm (right) so I did not create much pull.  I corrected it every time I thought of it, but I’d eventually fall back into my groove and the arm would have a weak pull again.  It’s 100% mental issue, not strength issue.  Being in a groove on the swim is great, I just need to make sure I train myself to maintain the same level of pull while in my groove. 

Bike
I already had one race at Fort Custer this year and I do know the trail extremely well.  Once I got my bike I put the hammer down and took off.  True to the nature of Xterra’s, I was quickly stuck behind a line of slow people. The Leaving T1 9entire ‘red loop’ was so slow I started to get very very frustrated.  It got worse.  Going into the gavel pit whoopy-do’s, the guy in front of me went OTB.  I ran him over and I mean that literally.  This caused me to go over the bars as well.  I managed to catch myself with my feet, however my feet landed on his front wheel spokes.  Once I found out he was okay I took off.  I highly doubt his front wheel was functioning 100%.  The fall also left my legs really really bruised and cut up. 


The rest of the bike went fine.  I found myself behind slow riders again in Grannies Garden, but managed to get around them quickly.  Other than that it was smooth sailing.  I did not go 100% all out on the bike since I knew my greatest weakness was next: trail running.

Run
The top runner had a 7 minute pace.  I had an 11 minute pace.  Very very slow.  My training going forward is really going to focus on getting this run moving faster.  Mark my words, I will have an 8 minute pace next year. 


As for this year, nothing really went bad other than every time I tried to get to a 9 minute pace, my engine sputtered and died.  I was over-heating, mentally crashed and just wanted to cross the finish line.  I did not walk one inch, which is the only victory I can hold on too.  I wanted to in some situations but knew that would be the ultimate defeat for me. 

I met a few people there which is always nice, although the ones I met after the race I was kind of zoned out so I apologize to anyone that was talking to me.   The weather was perfect for the race and as always EE put on a great event.

MORE PICTURES HERE

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