I just got back from a fantastic weekend of racing the Florida 70.3 in Orlando, Florida. The weather gave us a slight break…at least from the originally predicted temps and the time spent down there was fantastic.
My weekend started on Thursday with a warm-up/training day with my uncle in Atlanta. We went on a gentle 31 mile bike ride so I could dial in my fit and get used to his extra bike. After that was an easy 4 mile run and walk through a trail in the woods. Finally a quick 600 meter swim in a lake. The day was just enough to loosen me up and get me used to upcoming weekend of racing.
Thursday night we had a great home cooked meal thanks to my aunt and uncle. We packed the car including the bikes and got a good night of sleep in preparation for the drive the day ahead.
Thursday morning we got an early start and headed off to the airport to drop off my aunt. We then continued our journey down I-75 from Atlanta through the southern portion of Georgia.
We stopped for a quick picnic lunch once into Florida and then finished the drive down to Orlando. While the drive did take around 7 and a half hours it really didn’t feel that long because we are able to divide the driving duties.
Upon arrival to Disney we went straight to athlete check in to start the weekend process. The transition area was being set up and was still quite empty without any of the bikes dropped off yet.
We spent the next 24 hours as kids in Disney World. Our first journey took us around Disney via the monorail to see all of the different sites and parks from the outside. A side trip over and around epcot completed the monorail journey. After a good sushi dinner it was back to the hotel for another good night of sleep.
The next morning we woke up early to go to Universal for some roller coasters and other adventures. We got there just before the park opened and we were able to ride 3 roller coasters and one water ride within the first hour of being at the park, without having to wait in a single line. We then transitioned from Islands of Adventure to Universal Studios for more roller coasters and other rides. While it might have not been the most “classic” of activities to do the day before a race it was surely worth it. After all, I had never before been to Disney and it sure made sense to go on some adventures while I was there. After the day at Universal we settled down for a Pasta dinner with one of my friends from Chicago who just happened to be in town for the weekend.
The next morning we awoke at 4:00 AM, got dressed, checked out of the hotel and drove off to the Magical Kingdom. Upon arriving the parking lot was filling up quickly and the line for people to get on the busses was growing, but moving quickly.
I arrived at transition and got everything set up in the dark for the race day ahead. I found a hidden set of bathrooms and strolled right up without having to wait in line. (note, it is these little things on a race morning that really make a world of difference). Mike and I wished each other luck and we headed down to the swim start. The sun started to rise and provided a glimpse at a generally clear sky with just a faint breeze, seemed like it was going to be a perfect day for racing.
My start time was 68 minutes after the first heat of professionals started. Mike was in the 4th heat…I was in the 20th.
The Swim: 1.2 miles 41:52, 115/295 in age group.
The race started off great. This was the first open water swim I have ever done without a wetsuit. It didn’t really feel all that different from the pool training that I have been doing all winter, but I really could feel a difference compared to the other wetsuit races that I have done prior. I kept trying to find a pair of feet to sit on, but more the majority of the race seemed instead just find a lot of open water. It got clustered around the turns as it usually does. Nothing too exciting. I caught up to some of the heats in front of me and tried my best to just get around them. The swim was just a little slower than my prior 1.2 mile open water swim (when measured correctly), but then again this race was 8 weeks earlier with no open water swimming done yet this year.
T1: 5:05
I then got out of the water and felt as if I was doing the Chicago triathlon again. A nice looooooong run from the water to transition. I got all of my bike stuff ready and headed out on the bike
The Bike: 56 miles 2:43:50, 20.51 MPH, 108/295
As Lance Armstrong has so eloquently stated, “It is not about the bike”. Well don’t get me wrong, the bike segment is a really important part of the day. I spend just about half of my day on the bike, and blowing up on the bike and overshooting on the bike can really screw up the rest of the race. It is a challenge to stay within a good zone while racing at the same time.
Preparing for this race was rather challenging. The weather in Chicago had not been too cooperative so getting outside with nice warm weather was a bit challenging. Luckily, I had spent a good amount of time on the trainer this winter and I had at least gotten some miles under my belt. This race added a new dimension as well, I was using my Uncle’s Tri-bike. Now, there is nothing wrong with this bike, in fact it clearly works well as it took him to Kona.
The nice thing about the course in Florida is that it is flat and fast. The downside…it is flat. I started off the ride feeling very comfortable with my pace. Luckily the roads were relatively open, there weren’t as many people at first to get around as I had been expecting. Sure, there were people to pass, but there weren’t huge trains of bicycles to fight with for space on the road. I spent a good portion of the day passing people, primarily people in earlier waves, but passing nonetheless. I got a kick out of flying by someone riding with a disc. My nutrition plan worked out well, the aid stations were well stocked and I got water and Gatorade and I felt as if I fueled just right. Coming back to Disney it had started to warm up and the wind was starting to pick up right in our faces. The intersections were very well patrolled with officers. I got back to the end of the bike course feeling well hydrated, not too burned and ready for a run.
T2 : 3:10
The Run 13.1 Miles 2:07:56, 9:45 min miles, 90/295
I have to admit, this was the one part of the race that worried me the most. While I have run many more miles this year compared to last year at the same time, and have been running faster, all of those miles have been in temperatures and humidity much less than predicted for the race. Also given the weather and work schedule hadn’t gotten too many bricks under my belt (… only 2) I started off the run feeling pretty good, my legs actually felt fresh. I ran the first mile in 8:15, pulled back on the speed a little bit and kept running the first loop. I started to get a little warm on the second loop, was putting ice cubes in my hat and pouring water on top to act as a personal air-conditioner. Worked for a while until my shoes got too wet…
Mile 11 was the toughest. Long, straight, seemingly endless, blazing hot sun, no coverage from the trees, seemingly forever to the finish line. I took a little time to rest, and walked a little, trying to regain whatever energy I could muster. The last mile was in site and I tried to run as best as I could into the finish line, down the chute, arms up in the air, finishing the race.
Overall 5:41:53 91/295 Overall in Age Group
Final Thoughts:
I was very happy with my time. This is one of the first races that I can remember that I have been able to really gain ground on the run. I was very please with the swim and the bike, but I really don't think there has been a race that my run has clearly been the strong point of the three. Looks like the training is paying off and hopefully this will be an indicator of more great things to happen this year.
It was great to spend the weekend racing and going on adventures with my Uncle, it was wonderful to see him take second in his age group.
