ITU short course Duathlon World Championships

NASCAR Motor speedway. Rev your engines boys, its time for a two-legged drag race! That was the mental dialogue on the start line of yesterday’s ITU Short Course Duathlon World Championships in Concord, North Carolina. Donning some of the best run fitness of my life, I stepped onto the start line (the actual NASCAR track) to begin the 10K run, draft legal 40K bike, and 5K event that incorporated a repeated 2.5K run loop and five 5mi bike loops that involved a full loop on the NASCAR race track. My health and run taper leading up to the event went surprisingly well. I had some time trials on tired legs that did not produce flattering times, but deep down I felt like I was doing the work needed to be competitive in the elite field. People always ask me- “So how do you think you will do?” to which I respond “I’m gonna finish.” The unpredictability of having everything go well on race day, especially draft legal events ,always brings a level of anxiety to one’s expectations, and some of my best results have come from events that I have approached with humble expectations and minimal confidence. Possibly, this is a coping mechanism to deal with the likelihood of mediocre results; regardless, I try not to set myself up for disappointment or overestimate my realistic physical capabilities. My goals leading into this event were to be in 30min 10K shape if I were racing an ideal flat out 10K. I knew the race was going to break into packs on the first run, and I figured if the group I was in could stay within a minute of the very front leaders we would catch back up on the bike. The bike course was rather technical, and with forecasted rain, reinforced my thought that people would be cautious and most likely everyone would come together before starting the second run. As I was discussing with coach Jason, I wanted to go big or…. well, yea, go home. My strategy therefore was to take it very comfortably on the first half of the 10K, bridge up or back off to the closest run group, work together on the bike to catch the leaders, and really open it up with fresh legs on the second run.

The race was executing perfectly. At the start I was immediately at the back of the run train. That was ok, because I know my best bet to conserve energy was to run even or negative splits the 10k. Sure enough athletes were being slowly shredded from the lead group, and half way through I found myself comfortably leading a growing number of decent athletes, including 3 other Americans and last year’s World Champion, a monster cyclist. I was getting splits that we were holding a 1 minute deficit on the leaders, and feeling VERY relaxed, everything was perfect.
Off with the flats and onto the road we went, about 15 athletes total. The first couple loops on the bike were pretty nerve-racking. Although I was trying to conserve energy I felt great and to keep safe found myself pulling a good bit. I feel confident in saying my bike handling skills are superior to most of the duathletes out there, and I constantly found myself 40 yards off the front after technical (and wet) sections. During one of the rainiest times on the bike some athletes crossed wheels and 5 guys total hit the tarmac six feet in front of me. I locked up the brakes as I slide sideways through the rain trying to steer around the pileup. I had really forgotten how far bodies slide when crashing- especially when wet. Steadily our group chewed away the leader’s gap, and my excitement and adrenaline was pumping as we started the second to last bike loop, knowing we were going to catch the leaders. Half way through the loop my rear wheel started feeling a little wobbly… my tire was going flat. My heart sank. I had inadvertently left my CO2 cartridge and vitorria pitstop in the bike bag from Canada a week prior, but TSA graciously removed both means of repairing a flat tire from my checked luggage. This meant that I was solely relying on USAT’s wheel support, that we rode by every lap. The twists and turns in the course were great on inflated wheels, but the technical 3.5 miles to the wheel swap on a flat tire meant loosing significant ground to the charging bike pack I was just in. I pulled up, changed the wheel, and powered out of the pit area, trying to stay as positive as possible, knowing my chances of a high finish were over.

I really liked the course, and had a great time traveling with Josh Merrick, and I thought of these things as I solo-ed the remaining bike lap with a 2min deficit. Transition was smooth, and out I went trying to find a psychological happy place that would encourage me to finish the race strong. A Russian athlete went by me 1K into the run, and the competitive urge was all I needed to kick it in gear and pass a hand full of runners the remaining bit. The last leg was short, I would guess about 45 seconds. The top finishers were legit, and I can only aspire to compete at their fitness level. Who knows where the chips would have fallen had I started the second run with the lead pack. Regardless, I had a fun trip, and look forward to a few more big events before winter sets in.

Racing has fantastic ups and utter disappointments. You ask 10 athletes why they race and you will get 10 different answers. The bottom line is that most of us completely take for granted the basic freedom and opportunity we get in toeing a start line. At the elite level, we have been given a gift; how we foster and display that gift is a function of our psyche that defines the sportsmanship of each athlete. Triathletes and runners alike don’t train for the money, rarely the fame, and if we happen to win a pair of shoes, race bag, or spare tire- awesome. There is no value we can put on the hours we train, the self-inflicted suffering, and the personal sacrifices we make, to do what we do. We all share a common competitor, one who is with us each and every workout, every race. They encourage and taunt, strive for our better, and won’t let us quit. My college running coach had a favorite workout. He called it “pace of choice”. We would do some hard track repeats, and then be sent out for an unanticipated 5 mile “pace of choice”. Sure we would race each other, but deep down we all knew who we were really racing. The greatest satisfaction I get from running is when I occasionally beat my fiercest competitor: myself. “You are your own executioner” Coach Hunt would say. Some days I see that executioner, from the corner of my eye, I will catch my shadow, more commonly I just hear footsteps approaching. I quicken the pace, “nobody passes me” I would think. And just to be sure I would take a glance back down the lonely single-track.

70.3 Muskoka

On Sept 13th, I took my first trip north of the border for the second annual Muskoka 70.3 Triathlon in Huntsville, Ontario. What a stellar trip. The race was incredibly well organized and had the best scenery of any long distance triathlon I have done. The exquisite Deerhurt Resort hosted the swim and transition area and proved overly capable of managing the athletes and transportation. The swim took place in the Lake of Bays- a huge body of water that was comprised of endless inlets and bays. The water was surprisingly warm (~72 degrees), and clad in my comfortable USA Revolt neoprene suit, I swam the 1.2mi distance a bit slower than I was hoping for. But not surprising considering recent months have involved planning a wedding and moving from Fort Collins to Boulder. The last 4 weeks have finally slowed down- and I am settled in a great swim group at Rally Sport Club in Boulder. Despite being busy, I have put a large amount of run miles in, and the legs have been feeling strong. I was betting on those legs as I exited the water at Deerhurst, and hustled up a 300m hill to my faithful wind-cheating steed-- Blue Competition’s Triad. Equipped with Zipp and rocking the 2010 Rudy aero helmet I powered my way along the maple tree-lined roads with the colors and smells of fall urging me on. Not being in the lead swim pack has its advantages, such as setting my own pace on the bike and not having to worry about a draft penalty. The bike leg, as sometimes happens, went by way too quickly, and before you can say Muskogee, I was out on the run course. The run was a simple out and back, and had a good mile long hill at the far end to bring a little pain. As I made my way to the turn around, eventual dominator Craig Alexander muttered something positive as he comfortably ran by (on his way to a 1:11 split). #2 and 3 were locked toe to toe, but Cunningham definitely looked the fresher of the two. As I counted up the athletes going by it became evident that I was not going to be making any reimbursement this particular event due to such a competitive international field. I was however very satisfied with my hard effort as I finished up strong with a comfortably fast run split and a huge smile on my face for 10th overall. The race enthusiasm at Muskoka was off the charts. Of all the races under my belt, only Kona surpasses last weekend in sheer passion and encouragement from the spectators. It felt like entire communities came out to cheer on the athletes, and people were always yelling my name! …Even though it was on my jersey and bib number. Although I was 10th, you would have thought I was winning.

So in summary- I would race Muskoka if you:
1. Like racing on hilly country roads engulfed in vibrant fall colors
2. Like clean, cool lake swims
2. Appreciate enthusiastic fans.
3. Enjoy Canada. Aye.

I would not race Muskoka if you:
1. Like really flat courses.
2. Like racing in 100 degrees
3. Don’t like organizing international travel arrangements.
4. Dislike hockey or maple syrup.

I am now off to (actually in transit) NASCAR’s Lowes Motor Speedway in North Carolina for the ITU short course Duathlon World Championships September 26th. I am in superb run shape, and I am very optimistic for Saturday’s event. Should be awesome!
Until next time,
Bruss

Kick off Classic 5K

Raced a little 5K yesterday, always humbling to realize how much you can make those hurt. Did not rest much, and felt it half way through. First mile @ 5:06, 2mi @ 10:17, and last mile @ pain train pace. After the race hopped on the bike for some "Du" training. Later in the afternoon got my first taste of "old stage rd" NW of Boulder along with Erin (who PR'ed in 5K with a 26:50- WOOT!). She is getting lean and mean. Well, lean anyway. She let me know how thrilled she was on biking uphill on tired legs, but we both enjoyed the downhill back around to Boulder. Gonna cut down the run mileage this week- inject a little speed, and head to Muskoka friday for my first 70.3 in a couple months. Wish me luck!
Results: http://boulderroadrunners.org/results/KICKRES.HTM