It was quite a busy weekend, but it was a lot of fun.
Saturday - Woke up a little after 5 AM, and finished preparing the cooler and bag of things to take to Oceanside and watch the race. As I step out of the truck after parking, I hear the cannon sound, sending off the pro men at 6:40 AM. Orlanda and I walked out to the swim start, and see Potts leaving T1 with a big lead already.
We watched the rest of the swim waves start for the next hour, looking for friends and clients leaving the water and into T1.
After seeing just about everyone I could think of leave the swim, we went down past the hot corner, where the run started. It was a good spot, because it's just past all the crowd, and you can really see who is coming and step out and talk with them. I know a good number of the pro's, and it's cool to be able to step out and make it clear I'm there cheering for them.
After the pro men started out on the run, we moved out near the 1 mile marker, settled in between the first and last aid stations. It was a good spot, because you see people a little more often. Although, it can get hectic, because now they are coming from both directions rather quickly!
Lewis Elliott had an amazing race, and got me excited just watching him! We'll see how he does in 2 weeks at Arizona. He could be another up and coming American, if he can put together a good Ironman.
Kate Major looked fantastic out there. Always great to see her do well, she's such a sweetheart.
I saw a bunch of people I knew, and many people I recognized, trying to cheer for as many people as I can. I also had a bunch of clients and people I consult with for their training. It was a mixed bag of performances, from amazing to disappointing. A lot of that had to deal with many of my clients doing their first half, so it's always a learning process.
Performance of the day has to go to my training partner, Mac Brown. Mac was the top amateur overall, an awesome accomplishment in itself! Mac could still improve his swim, (and it must improve if he wants to compete at high level), but his swim was definitely better than it has been. His bike was absolutely AMAZING! Being in the last wave, he had so much traffic out on the course, and was still able to log the FASTEST BIKE SPLIT OVERALL, pro's included. 4:16 and 16th overall, against a stellar field. Really exciting for me too, because he is a very similar rider to myself. I don't know if I could have been faster than him, but I'm sure I would have been competitive, and that's all you need! So selfishly, I really enjoy seeing Mac do well...is that bad?
I took it easy on Saturday afternoon, as it was clear I was tired from the long day. I got home and took a 3 hour nap!
Sunday - Up early again, though not quite as early as Saturday, and headed to Carlsbad for the Carlsbad 5000. It would be only my second time racing the event, and first time since 2004. I was really, really happy to just be racing, since last year I was injured and had to watch the whole thing, when I was there with the USA Triathlon Olympic Development Camp. It was so hard to know you're fit, but can't go out and show it. This year was a much different scenario, as I am no longer focused on ITU or short course racing, and I'm as healthy as I can ever recall. I'm definitely not as fast as last year, but my strength is much better. That's Ironman training for you!
This year I aged-up into the men 30-39 race, which was pretty cool. It was a great chance to race some friends, but still gave me the chance to watch other friends later in the 29 and under race. Also, my race was at 9:25 AM, when traffic and parking is much better!
I did a 30 min warm-up with a few friends, and threw in some 30 sec accelerations to race intensity. I got near the start line, and met with Orlanda and JT to get my race singlet and flats. I headed toward the start line, and finished with some more accelerations and drills.
Gun goes off, and I'm sitting about 20th early, feeling fine. Moving up, I hit the 1K in 3:08, the mile in 5:00.7. I make the U-turn and start the uphill and into the wind, second mile. I manage to negative split, and cross 2 miles in 9:56, (4:55.3), and see that I have gained quite a bit on the leaders. We run thru Carlsbad Village, where the crowd is, and I'm hugging the left curb, trying to cut the tangent. The crowd is getting into it, and I'm starting to feel it. Once we get out of the village, I'm in some trouble. I make the last u-turn and up the hill I'm just trying to hold on.
I hit the flat back into the village, and start to have some new life again. I make the left turn for home. I cross mile 3 in 15:11, (5:15 - ouch!), and kick home with a 31 to finish in 15:42. Not bad considering speedwork has been non-existent. If I had been a bit more patient that second mile, I could have been faster, but that's fine. This wasn't a race I cared about, it was just a lot of fun.
Went to Pizza Port, and had a few beers after the race to celebrate where I'm at, and how the training is going. Ran into Emilio DeSoto, (man it's a small triathlon world in San Diego).
5 weeks until Wildflower...now it's back to work!
Vance - 2007 NFA
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