I have to say that the Waupaca Area Tri is my favorite. Sure, I do some other well run races. But, this one is the best. The level of volunteers and the fact that the whole community comes out to watch and cheer makes for a great event.
Anyhow, Julie and I arrived early Saturday morning and got ourselves set-up. The swim is 1/2 mile, the bike a little short of 20 miles and the run is supposed to be 3 miles (it is 3.22 according to Mr. Garmin). The long swim and little longer bike plays well into my strengths without making me run any more than necessary. Julie, on the other hand, was not thrilled with the 1/2 mile swim.
Standing on the beach before the start of the elite wave, there were two young guys doing very vigorous warm-ups. They were both wearing red "guard" Speedos and Swedish goggles. I looked at them and said, "Self, those are the feet to follow." My thoughts were confirmed as I over heard them planning on taking turns at the front every big buoy. Yeah! The horn went off and into the water we all went. The Speedo guys did not disappoint. They went out fast and I was just able to stay in their draft. I thought that I would be able to stay with them and maybe get a PR on the swim. Well, the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. At about the 200m mark, I was forced to swim over set of Speedo feet one. I don't know what he did, but I think he just stopped or slowed way, way down. Anyhow, I sped up a little to catch back on to Speedo feet number two. I was not on his bubble for more than 100 meters when he too fell off. He actually grabbed the lane line. So, around him I go. I had to hammer a little more than I would like to catch the lead group which had put about 20 or 25 feet on me by the 1/4 mile turn around. After the turn, I was able to find a good pace and a couple of feet. But, the feet I was finding were a little on the slow side. I wound up swimming the last 300m by myself. Not my plan, but what can you do. I got out of the water in 3rd or 4th.
I passed one or two in T1 and onto my bike I went. This year's bike route was a little different from the last few years. Luckily, Julie and I were able to ride the changed portion of the course on Thursday, so I had a good idea of what to expect. The new course has a bunch of little hills rather than the two on the previous course. Anyhow, on the bike I worked just off my cadence. I've found a way to disconnect the speed sensor (remove the wheel magnet, duh) so I just get my cadence and nothing else. My goal was to spin 90 to 100 rpm for the race distance and see what I get out of it.
At about the 10 mile mark, I was passed by another guy on a pretty P2. I have to admit to being partial to the white and red Cervelos for an unknown reason. I was able to stay with him for about 2 more miles, but those young guys are pretty fast. While I was still with him, a course marshal indicated to us that we were 2 minutes behind the leader. That put me in 3rd overall. Knowing this and being able to hear the sound of two disc wheels echoing down the country road made me very happy with life at the time. After a while, I was not able to keep up the pace that my new friend was keeping, so I slowly lost touch with him. With around one mile to go, I was passed again going up a hill. I repassed this guy after a 90 degree corner (which he must have used his brakes going around) and a little down hill section that I was willing to hammer on just before T2.
In T2 my new Nike Lunar Racer 2's went on way easier than the ones "lost" at Tri-ing for Children. Plus they match my Emery's kit better too.
The run course is flat and fast. This is not good for me. The guy I repassed on the bike re-repassed me at about the 1/2 mile mark and proceed to run about 30 seconds per mile faster than I was able to. Forth overall. Let me remind you, gentle reader, that I really enjoy running the most. I am just not the fastest runner out there. I know this. So, when on the run, I am in "just try to save the time you gained in the water and on the bike" mode. I thought I did a pretty good job of that. Another fast guy passed me around the 2 mile mark. Fifth overall. I was able to up the pace a little within the last 1/2 mile, or so, and finish strong.
It turns out that the overall winner came from wave number 4. So, my 5th was actually 6th. But, hey I'll take that. Final result was 6th overall and 1st in my old guy age group.
After I was done, I was able to see Julie and her friend Jen through T2 and then catch them both out on the run course. I have to say, I'm really getting into the whole cheering out on the course. It is way more fun than I would have thought.
Overall, it was a great weekend. Julie and I were able to get a good race in. The kids got some solid time in the lake with grandma and grandpa too. Heck, the dogs even got a bath. So, life is good. Fluffy puppies and tired kids are always good things.
Over the next couple of weeks, I am planning on posted some stuff about training plans and equipment choices. I've been looking at new toys, their prices, and what they might do for my race results. I've also been noticing that although I do like racing (a lot), I may actually like training better. More to come...
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