Race Report: Deschutes Dash Olympic

Deschutes Dash Olympic Triathlon

Date: July 19, 2008
Swim distance: 1.5k
Bike distance: 25mi
Run distance: 10k

Wake Up time for this race came at 545a; not bad. I got a good night sleep, for the most part, considering it wasn't my own bed. As soon as I woke, brushed my teeth and took care of some other necessary morning duties, I started to ingest my standard 600 Calories of Endurox. I have recently switched to Tangy Orange flavor due to the limited availability of fruit punch. I would prefer fruit punch. Dacia and I arrived at Race at 630a, parked and proceeded to get set up.

At some point after arriving the race director made an announcement that we had all parked in a fire lane and would be towed. This incited a mad dash of spandex and lycra clad athletes to road to move their vehicles. Classic. My Pre race Warm-Up included a 15min run about an hour before the scheduled race start. I was not nervous. I felt really calm, maybe too calm. I spent the morning joking around with Aleck and Jake.

The swim took place in the Deschutes River. We had to walk about a 1/2 mile up stream for the start. It was cold but like Boise I went for the double cap. This was a good idea. I started the swim at the front of the pack, but since it was a down current swim a couple people thought that meant they needed to go out hard. In the process they went over the top of me. The current also led to some strange pacing. The current just pulled me along, but it also messed with my form. I wasn't always sure how fast I was swimming. I was in open water the whole time after getting out of the pack. There were a few people in my wave who were certainly faster than me; behind me by 15-20 yds was the next person. Sighting was very important. The river is curvy and to stay on track in the middle of the river I had to sight constantly. That was the basis for some form problems. I think that if you swam the section more frequently you would be able to keep your head down more consistently. That was not my case.

Swim Time/place/AG place: 15:29/14^th/2nd

On the bike I went out hard as my coach, Scott, suggested. The course was pretty flat until about the six mile mark then things took a steep turn up. I pushed it up the hill, but it was tough. I saw 10 mph at one point in the climb. I can’t remember a time when I saw a race speed so slow. Heart rate was low coming back into town. It was downhill the entire way into T2. The second half of the course was screaming fast. Averaged, that's right, averaged over 30 mph coming back to T2. For all the pain going up, it was fun coming back down.

Bike Time/place/AG place: 1:10:18/6^th/1st

I Cramped a little putting my shoes on in T2. That pretty much sucks and I lost a couple seconds in the process. I will continue to practice this in all my spare time.

On the run I went out smooth as usual to get my legs under me. The legs felt good and strong. It was a two lap run course. The first lap was hectic. That is the best way to describe it. This run was kind of xterra-ish. Dirt Trails. Under a bridge on a 10inch wide path. Across some soft grass. The second lap I knew what I was in for and pushed it. I can’t say for certain, but I am pretty sure I negative split the second lap. I felt strong the whole run. My legs felt good, strong even. My lungs on the other hand burned the whole time. The altitude stung.

Run Time/place/AG place: 37:18/5^th/1st

I felt pretty positive throughout the race. There were some fleeting moments before reaching the apex of the bike climb where my legs burnt and my head was not clear. Luckily the turnaround appeared and down the hill I went.

Finish Time/place/AG place: 2:05:29/6^th/1st

In general I am pretty happy about this weekend. I won my age group. What is not to like about that.