Little Race Day!

I will recap Saturday, not because it is exciting, but more for setting the stage for today. Basically, I picked up my race packet and put the race wheels on the bike and did a quick 30 minute ride to make sure everything was in order. Friday, I felt pretty miserable from a sort of allergy related sinus drip. I even took some medicine. Saturday was better, but still a little worn down. I also made the screen for my race shirt. So far, so good.
That is all there was to Saturday.

Sunday Morning: Cinco Ranch Race Day!

I didn't sleep well Saturday night. With the baby, I am used to sleep interuption and dealing with it, but it still throws me off a bit. Early wake-up at 0430 (imagine that?), but didn't feel too bad. I still arrived to the race site late. Go Figure. The race packet said to be there by 6:45 a.m. I rolled in at 6:50, not fully appreciating :40 minutes later, my wave would start! Everything went smooth, and I was amazed at how many people were already there and settled into their spots! After getting everything ready, I jumped in the water to warm-up. It takes longer to warm-up for a 400 Meter swim than to race it.
I was in the "Invitational" wave which is scary since the only thing I am pretty much on par with the fast local athletes is the bike portion of the race. This race favored the bike a bit. 400 Meter swim, 19 Mile Bike Ride, and a 3 Mile Run.
The gun went off and I sort of jumped in behind everyone. I didn't know who to follow, and it didn't matter too much as I seemed to fall off everyone's feet. I didn't focus much on finding a good draft, just hitting the turn bouys, going straight, and doing my own thing. I was going pretty hard, and had no idea where I was in the mix of things. I came out about 1:30 seconds behind the leaders. I was sixth out of the water (I think). My time was just over 7 minutes. Pretty much creamed by the fast guys.
In the transition, I was the finest example of inefficiency - hey what's the rush?
Out onto the bike, I was really looking forward to a strong day! I knew quickly it would be OK, but not a great day. My legs have quite a bit of deep fatigue in them. I started picking up people in the wave before us, but not too many out of my wave. One guy came by me and we played "cat and mouse" for most of the race. I was pretty frustrated, because I am generally very confident on the bike, but my legs weren't responding, so I couldn't drop him! I could see the leaders too, but just didn't have the power to reel them in either. During the ride, I didn't have any feedback like heart rate monitor or even bike computer. I sort of accepted my limitation and just tried to ride strong and aero. I don't remember really having any burning in my chest or lungs. I did spit up a little one time, but that is fairly normal.
I also did not use my aero helmet.
So getting off the bike, I felt the fatigue in my legs, the fatigue from being worn out and sort of sick, the fatigue from not sleeping well, and the fatigue from just completing a pretty hard time trial.
I headed out on the run course - after another Sun-Dial timed transition - and really wasn't concerned about trying to run anyone down, or being run passed by anyone else!!! I knew I wasn't going to "podium". If there was a possibility of that, it would have to have come from a great bike ride.
I didn't push the run, I enjoyed it, joked a little with the volunteers, and tried to encourage the other people who were having great races! I ran, I didn't jog, but it wasn't a gut wrenching, hang it all out there run. I just cruised.
One of the highlights of this race was it was a development race for kids 11-19 years of age. A couple of the young kids were stellar! After I hit the run turnaround point, I saw a young competitor, and I remember passing her on the bike, so I said "You better catch me now on the run, I will be waiting! And told her "good job." She never did catch me (I really thought she was going to!), and I bumped into her after the race and joked some more with her. She apologized for not passing me!!! It was really neat to see the young kids out there! They have such spririt!
In the end I came in 9th out of the Invitational wave - which was the lower half, and even lower in the overall (20th or so) as some of the age-groupers had some great times! The bike ride was chipped timed at 25 mph, but I'd bet it was upper 23 to 24. If I could feel junky and ride 25 MPH, I would be amazed. The run was 19 something, 6:27 per mile for 3 miles.
The whole day was a huge success! I didn't have any expectations. The competitive side of me wishes I could have been "fresher" and had better results, but the realist in me knows I don't have the running ability to really excel at short distances, and the training I have been doing hasn't been focused on short distances or speed.
As added bonuses: I didn't get hurt, the RMS bike itself was a pleasure to ride, and generally, I just really enjoyed being out there in a local triathlon.

As this race pertains to Hawaii. We'll see. The intent was to have a challenging short workout. Mission Accomplished! I did a similar race prior to Ironman Arizona, and felt the same way about it. (It would definitely be cool to have the ability to show up to a race on a day's rest and win by 5 minutes or more!)
I had a pretty good race; If it was a stand-alone race, I definitely wouldn't be satisfied with the results or performance, BUT today, I was content with the outcome knowing it was a step towards the goal. Hawaii will be different too because the purpose of the race for me has less to do with my completion time; Of course, I plan to be fresh and I hope to have a great efficient race! Make Sense?

Thanks for reading.