Coach Holt

Nick Holt can read. He said so. I love it!!!

Race Report: Hulaman Half

Hulaman Half

8.16.9

Swim: 1.2 Miles
Bike: 53 Miles
Run: 13.1 Miles

Wake up time was 5a race morning. This race was a point to point race, so I drove out by myself and Dacia came with her family to help facilitate the moving of cars from T1 at Hagg Lake to T2 at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. I started drinking my standard 700 calories of Endurox as soon as I work up and finished it on the way to the race. I arrived at Hagg Lake, after dropping off my run stuff, at 545a. Set up was pretty easy and I was able to catch up with some friends after racking my bike and before putting on my wetsuit.

There weren't any butterflies fluttering in my stomach before, in fact I was slightly sluggish and unmotivated. For some reason, before the race started, I just didn't feel it. Right before the gun went off I remember thinking, “eek, here we go.” I, however, quickly settled in for a day that would ultimately be one of the more painful races I have endured. It becomes even more clear on days when you are mentally ill-prepared how difficult this sport can be.

I started the swim toward the front, but not far enough. I was busy thinking, "why am I racing today?" and missed my cue to get forward. I should have found some of my friends I know were going to swim faster than me and tried to stay on their heels as long as I could. Instead, I found myself fighting a little traffic and by that time they were gone. I wouldn’t see them again until after they turned on the run.

Pacing was good. I tried to draft when I could, but there wasn’t many people to get behind after I lost the lead group. I was kind of in the middle of nowhere. Also, I have found I almost always take a cleaner line to the buoys than most people. I kept looking out on my breath to see a pod of swimmers about 20 yards to my left. I would immediately sight I found I was on a direct course. I don’t know what they were doing, but I am glad I didn’t swim in their draft. I was pretty satisfied with my time. I would like to swim under 30 minutes, and probably would have if I were a little smarter.

Swim Time: 30:28

There were no real problems in T2. I was pretty smooth. There was a hill coming right out of transition so I decided to get my shoes on before getting on my bike. There would be nothing more embarrassing than falling over because I couldn't get my shoes on. This was a risk I wasn't willing to take. I got out and on my way without any problems.

The bike course was tough. Although I am beginning to think they are all tough for one reason or another. This course was two loops around Hagg Lake before heading into rural Forest Grove. I tried to pace the two loops pretty evenly, but the hills were killer. I knew I was going to probably average less watts after leaving the lake, but I knew this would probably be the best course of action. There was one other climb of note, but Clapshot Hill didn't seem as bad as it could have.

Fuelling was pretty standard. I did lose one bottle of nutrition at the end of the second loop of Hagg Lake. I was able to substitute the missing calories with a few gels I had stuffed in my pocket. My total caloric intake was pretty much the same as if I would not have lost the bottle. The loss could have been worse.

Bike Time: 2:34:37

There were no major issues in T2. I did take the time to put on socks. I know this probably took some time, but I thought it better. I wasn't that confident that my shoes were not going to give me blisters.

I was pretty glad to be off the bike and start the run. I ran the first 5 or so miles Kaytee Petross, a fellow Ironhead and eventual amateur women's champ. She knew she was in the lead, but felt there was someone behind her that could catch up. I wasn't so sure, but when she went I couldn't stay with her. I just tried to stay on a sub 7 minute pace. It was pretty close, as I know I ran miles 9 and 10 at about 7:30 pace. After I realized it was slipping away, I settled into a good pace and let 'er rip. I ran 6:30 for the final two miles to make up the difference, but I was pretty well spent at the line.

My legs just didn't have the strength to rattle off a great run. I could really feel that my turn over just wasn't that springy. I am sure this is the remainder of IMCDA in my legs. They just weren't recovered and I could tell the entire run. It was pretty painful. Nonetheless, it was good for the 6th fastest time of the day. I need to be faster.

Run Time: 1:30:41

Considering I am only 6 weeks from an Ironman I felt ok, and I can feel ok about my time because of that, but if I didn't have that as an excuse I would be pretty frustrated. I need to be faster.

Thanks to everyone.
My new coach Dave.
My training partners: Jason, Aleck, Jake, AJ.
My family.
Dacia. Most of all.

Finish Time/place/AG place: 4:38:48/10/5