Bead’s Blog

This is a week after the race and I am finally getting to this. It has been a busy few weeks.

I went down to the race with my number one groupie Melissa(it helps that she is my fiancee). We arrived in the Cambridge area Thursday night, got settled in and was able to get a good nights sleep at the hotel. I even slept in on Friday morning.

After a leisurely morning and early afternoon I loaded my bike and a few things back on the car and went to packet pickup. There were only about 200 or so competitors so that went quickly. I drove over to the T1 area, did a few last preperations and tweaks to the bike and dropped off my bike and bike bag. Then we were off to T2 to check that out and check the route there.

Then back to the Hyatt for the pre-race meeting. I met up Garen (a.k.a GFD) there. I only got to chat a few minutes, but It was nice to put a face to another name at Trifuel.

The ChesapeakeMan Race director Vigo, went over some specifics of the race. When that wrapped up it was time for a bite to eat. There was a little Italian/Greek place right down the road from the Hyatt that we saw earlier during outr race recon. I had only half of the pasta they served up so I wasn’t too full.

We got back to the hotel, and I double checked my run bag, run special needs, and bike special needs bag. They were ready to go. Now it was time for my Ironman shave. I had trimmed my legs earlier in the week, so it was easy to foam up and shave off the stubblies. Smooth now. I had my last dose of Ensure and some Gatorade and then went to bed.

It was restless night, which was to be expected. I was glad I got a good rest the night before. 4:00 am came quicker than expected. I got dressed, had a Peanut Butter on whole wheat, some Gatorade and Ensure. I was ready to go so I woke a not so happy Melissa.

We got on the road about 4:45 am. First stop was T1 to drop off my cold bike bottles, then over to T2 to drop off my run bag and special needs bags. last stop was the swim start at the Hyatt.

Since we took care of everything pretty quickly we had some time to spare. I got a good parking spot at the Hyatt close to the start. The seats went back and I was able to catch a quick cat nap for half an hour.

My watch alarm went off. It was time to get body marked and get my wetsuit on. They had free Starbucks and boxes of Clif Shots. I helped myself to both. You can never get enough freebies!!

I lubed up generously with bodyglide and got my wetsuit on, and my chip too. It was a short walk to the beach. The sun was just starting to come up. I got my good luck kiss from Melissa and walked down to the sand and into the water. I put on my goggles and swim cap as i was walking.

A few feet into the water the sand ended and then there was a feeling of dog poo squishing between my toes that sent a shiver through me. I announced to whoever was listening that it felt like poo. And who should I run into? Garen. He agreed about the poo feeling. We wished each other luck. Then the horn blew. The Chesapeakman had started.
 
The swim was began in the man made lagoon in front of the Hyatt. After 50 meters it moved out in to the Choptank river(aptly named I might add). Then it was like punch in the face. Several swimmer were actually pushed back. It crowded the entrance to the river for a moment.
 
The current was supposed to be with us and the RD was predicting PR’s for everybody.
Instead there was a wind coming at us, that made the river very choppy.
It was really tough to get a rythmn an breathe without taking a mouthful of water.
I even felt a little seasick during the swim. The sighting for the buoys was difficult because of the waves.
 
When I stopped to tread water and look around to get my bearings the current pushed me back. So much for the current being with me. The swim PR went out the window too.

1:57 something. I was hoping to get out around 1:15 - 1:20.
 
I got out of the water and I was wiped out. My T1 was not too bad, a little over 9 minutes. The bike route went mostly thru a wildlife refuge and was very flat, and scenic, with minimal traffic and wide shoulders. It was also very windy. I seemed to have a headwind or a sidewind all the time.
 
There was also the start of a brush fire on the side of the road on my first lap. The fire department just got there moments before I did when I was on my first loop.
 
They waved me on and I got to ride thru a big cloud of smoke. YUK!!
 
I stopped to pee and grab my special needs bag at about the 66 mile mark. Melissa decided to help out and volunteered. I also had my first Anton Sighting of the day. he shaved his big bushy moustache for the occasion!!

I was feeling pretty good but more fatigued than expected. The winds were still there. On my second lap I got to the fire again and the emergency personnel stopped me and I had to turn back to the last intersection and the police re-directed me.
 
I had no idea where I was at. I was watching my mileage on the CatEye and I got to 112, while I was still on course. I zero’ed it out. I ended up doing an extra 5 1/2 miles. Finally, the bike finish was in sight. I was riding hard. I made the bike cutoff at 5:00 pm by 3 minutes!!

They redirected the course quickly but it scared the crap out of me when I was running out of time. The bike really kicked my a$$. I was relieved to get to the marathon.
 
My T2 was pretty quick this time, under 6 minutes. Big improvement for me. I walked out an got a picture with Melissa and a quick snack of banana. Anton was there and I had a chance to talk to him for a few moments before heading out on the run. It was nice to see another fan.

The run was 3 laps of flat out and back. I had a rough day and I was hurting so I paced myself for the marathon. The support was great. I talked to anybody I was near and had a great time. When I got to the T2 I got my kilt from my special needs bag for the last lap. I was a hit at all the aide stations.
 
At the very last aide I got my pictures with some girls in their Hula skirts and coconut bikini tops and they saved me a beer at the last aid station.
 
It was the best beer ever!! 

I could see the lights of the stadium ahead, and then the music got a little louder. I approached the T2 area and then ran thru into the stadium. I met Melissa and ran the final 1/2 lap around the track and across the finish line.

Anton was waiting there with his camera. One of the voluteers at the finish handed me a heat sheet and then tried to get a peek up my kilt to see if I was wearing anything underneath. I told her she was naughty, and then got a picture with her.

Overall I had a tougher swim and bike, but I was right on for my nutrition. So despite the pain and suffering I had a great time.

It was nice to meet Garen, to see Anton supporting the cause and to have my fiancee there during the race and at the finish.
 
Now I have a marathon on October 20th and the JFK November 17th with Anton. 

official results

Swim:1:57:01

T1:9:25

Bike:7:50:27*(117.37 miles)

T2:5:55

Run:6:02:07

Finish:16:04:53

 

This marks the 5th year I have done this event. I consider it to be a benchmark event for me. Each time the event has had slightly different conditions(hot, cold, rainy,etc…)

Saturday I had a wedding reception to attend. The return drive was long. We got to crash at a friends house that was near the race start. I got to sleep by midnight. Five hours of rest before I have to get up and get ready to go. I was very sluggish at 5am. I had a bagel with peanut butter and some Naked Juice for breakfast. I loaded up the car and then we were off to West Point.

We arrived a little after 6am. I went over to packet pick up and got my goods and went back to the car. I got myself prepped, and checked the inflation on my tires. Gathering my stuff I went to the transition area got my body marked and set up. After a healthy lubing up with bodyglide I slipped on my wetsuit, zipped up and went to the beach to get a quick dip in the water before the race started. The water was cool but comfortable.

I got out as the Race Director made his anouncements. The Army crew at West Point runs a great event, very organized and timely. This means the first wave which was supposed to start at 8:00 am, started at 8:00 am. My wave was set to start at 8:06. Melissa wished me luck as my group was ushered into the corral, and over the timing mats. A multitude of beeps followed us from the beach into the water.

It was a treading water start so we had to swim out a few meters to the starting rope. I positioned myself in the middle of the group and behind a few people. I appreciate the swim in this lake because it is so clean. Kicking a little to stay afloat, I had my watch ready in chrono. The 30 second warning was given. Soon after they blew the horn and we began.

8:06 exactly.

I was among about 100 others in my wave so there was some bumping but not too bad. Within the first 50 meters the wave settled and spread out. I felt lethargic so I just settled into an easy pace. The first buoy came up and there was a little congestion from the previous 2 waves. The bumping and kicking returned as I made my way throught the line.

I saw the next buoy and it looked partially deflated, and I felt the rope floating near me. I had a feeling this would affect something and it did later. I made my way around the second buoy and turned toward the beach. As I was sighting in the beach seemed like it was coming up quickly. My hand touched the sand on the down stroke. I took 2 more strokes and stood up and quickly moved out of the water. Checking my watch I had started only a little over 10 minutes ago. Even on my best day have I swam 800 meters in 10 minutes. My heart rate is a little higher than normal too.

I had reached back and unzipped my wetsuit before my feet hit the sand. Amongst the cheering crowd my lone groupie called my name as I crossed the timing mat. I got a quick kiss and was on my way.

Swim 10:47(?)

I ran into the transition area and located my bike quickly. I stripped off my wetsuit, got on my helmet, sunglasses, socks, and bike shoes. I am feeling chily and congested. Grabbing my bike off the rack I ran out of transition so I could mount my bike.

T1 3:33

Outside the transition I got to the mount line and mouted my bike, one shoe clipped in right away. A few pedal strokes to give me some momentum and balance and I was able to click in to my other pedal. I was in a low gear to start so I upshifted a few gears and got moving. I still don’t feel like I have energy, my legs feel heavy.

The bike course starts on the driveway going out of Camp Buckner. When it leaves the course is on the very wide shoulders of a low traffic road(even slower on Sunday mornings).It is monitored by Army MP’s and race officials on Mororcycles. The cadets did a great job of clearing the course of debris too. The entrance to Camp Buckner came up and I made the hard right.

There was a slight incline. This slowly changed into the first hill, then a plateau, then the next longer hill. At my slowest I can see I am only doing about 11 mph. My 2 ring Cervelo tri bike is always a challenge on this course but it is a good workout, and I do get to fly on the downhills. The breeze on the bike makes me feel cold. Now that I have a chance I let a snot rocket fly, both sides and I feel like I expelled a large portion of my brain, though I feel a little less congested. At the top of the hill it starts to level out a bit, and then it approaches the turnaround, which is about 1/4 of the way.

The West Point MP has the little bit of traffic stopped as I move across from one wide shoulder to the other. Now I put it into high gear so I can crank it down the hill. I am down tight in my aero bars and I push the pedals, my cadence is 105 in my highest gear, and I am going 47 mph. The wind is whistling in my ears. The plateau comes again and I drop a few gears and my momentum caries me to the next short downhill. Once again it levels out and I downshift a little. The entrance to Camp Buckner is too my right and Melissa spots me and waves as I pass. Just about halfway now. The energy that I was lacking before is even less now. My heart rate is higher than what I perceive my effort to be but it is steady.

The course rolls slightly and there are a few smaller hills and plateaus. Then I reach the last big downhill and upshift and push it again.Only 41 mph this time. I need to slow it up before I hit the next turn around. Three quarters of the way now. The return goes into a long steady uphill. I feel like I have nothing left. I am down to 10 mph on this climb. When I reach the top know the worst is over.

The last couple of miles are rolling. I see the entrance coming up and make the quick right in. I get another supportive wave from Melissa. A few hundred meters and I see the transition area and slow down. I unclip and dismount slowly, I don’t want to take a spill now. I trot with my bike over the timing mat. 2 out of 3 down.

Bike 52:35 ;-P

Running with my bike thru transition I have my helmet off. I get to my row and rack my bike, and put my helmet on my aero bars. I slip off my bike shooes and slip into my running shoes, put on my knee brace, visor and take a quick swig of gatorade, and I am on my way out the gate.

T2 1:11(not too shabby)

The run is self contained on Camp Bucker and is well manned with cadets and volunteers for support and at the aide stations. My dead bike legs, try to switch over to be even deader run legs. There is a aide station right at the start and I take some water and HEED(?) before I climb up the first short hill. The run course doesn’t have any big hills but it is like a kids roller coaster. I get into my pace, periodically checking my HR which has been running higher than expected even though I don’t feel like I am pushing it. It remains steady, but climbs when I get to a hill. My pace stays consistant.

I grab a quick drink and thank the volunteers when I am at the aide stations. I pass the 1st mile marker. The second mile goes quickly, but I feel like I am on auto pilot. Another round of snot rockets empty my sinus cavity ,but my head is still stuffy. I get to the next mile marker just before I pass the transition area again. Less than a mile to go. I pass by the finish area for a last out an back that has a slight hill. I hit the turn around and up the hill. The last stretch rolls down and then up to the finish. I can’t wait to finish. I get under the clock and it is over. My body is shaking, and I have nothing left, my head is pounding.

1:35:15

NYC Triathlon-

 

 

 

Everything was going smoothly that weekend. Too smoothly, maybe?

 

The train ride into the city to drop off my bike and pick up my race packet went well. Meeting up with John (Cayman) went off with out a hitch. We went through the race briefing and even got to see Dave Scott (yes, THE Dave Scott!). Packet pick up was quick. Our numbers had to be on our bike before transition so we took care of that in the lobby of the Hilton. A short walk over to the transition area and we were able to rack our bikes, and shortly after, we were back on the train home to
New Jersey.

 

Sunday morning I got dressed and had my pre-race breakfast. I woke my fiancé(and one of my biggest fans) Melissa. Bleary eyed she got ready and packed up the Mia, the Havanese puppy we were watching for the weekend, and we were off to pick up John.

 

No traffic, so we got to Johns house quickly. Still no traffic so we were in NYC by 4:15 am. We drove over 2 blocks from the transition and found a parking spot.

 

Melissa and Mia stayed in the car to sleep while John and I schlepped over to set up our transition area. Only problem was race participant # 208 racked his bike the wrong way the night before into my 2 square feet of space and I had to have a race official move his bike to the other side.

 

I was done setting up in a few minutes, and then got body marked.

 

John and I walked up to the swim start, a nice 1 mile walk to warm up.

 

We were both in early waves. I was in the water, holding onto a rope, waiting for my wave to start. The temperature was about 70 – 72 degrees, but the water had a funny diesel smell. Which may have been a good thing, it probably masked the decaying smell.

 

I had done this swim before so I was relaxed and ready to go.

 

That’s when the “smoothly” ended.

 

Somebody jumped in and ended up pushing the rope down. I held on to this rope so I didn’t float down river with the strong current. I went under while my mouth was opened and I was taking in a breath. Reflexivly I tried to swallow and breathe at the same time and got some nasty river water in my lungs and swallowed a bellyful.

 

I surfaced quickly and caught my breath. The diesel and dead fish smell, and taste permeated my mouth and nose. 30 seconds, or less to the start at this point.  I felt very nauseous. I coughed, and then hurled into the river. Thankfully the current pulled it away from me.

 

Then I heard the sound of the horn and our wave started.

 

I started swimming and I felt I was actually getting into my groove. The diesel and fish taste, with a touch of Apple Pie flavored Clif Shot and peanut butter, was very strong and the nausea returned. About a 10 minutes in( ½ way?) I rolled onto my back for the moment to get some air and then upchucked some more. I swung my arm over and resumed my stroke. The barge was in sight. A few more strokes and I climbed out of the water.

 

I ran off the barge, made a right and started my ½ mile run to the yellow transition area. My wetsuit was unzipped and rolled down to my waist soon after. The improvised showers were mounted near the exit so I ran under them and got a little bit of (hopefully) clean water to swish around in my mouth and spit out.

 

The coughing returned, and I vomited again. The aftertaste was revolting.

 

The transition area was a long run. I got to my area and did a quick change, wet suit, came off, my number was on underneath, got on my helmet, clipped my strap, put on my socks and shoes, ran my bike out, and mounted up.

 

The course went back by the transition, and then made a hard right into a steep but short hill. I knew to gear down on the approach so I was able to climb up and out onto the course quickly.

 

I picked up some speed and went up a few gears as I got onto the Henry Hudson. Once my cadence on the CatEye was at about 85 I settled in.

 

The road got a little steeper and I had to push a little which caused another wave of nausea. After peaking the hill, and on my way down I puked again, not quite avoiding my leg and back wheel.

 

About a 1/3 of the way into the course I could see some of the Pro field coming back. They were flying, and making it look so easy.

 

I was feeling a little shaky as I got to the turn around in the
Bronx. I drank some Gatorade and had a Orange Crème Clif Shot.  My stomach grumbled but I felt a little better.

 

The route passed back over the bridge and I could see the
Hudson again. There was another small climb and I felt queasy again. I held it until I got a slight downhill and I had to throw up again. Orange Crème and Gatorade don’t taste so good on the way back up.

 

Only a few miles to hold it together until I got to the transition.

 

The last turn around and I felt a little relief but I was feeling the effect of running on fumes. I slowed down and dismounted and trotted in to rack my bike. My helmet strap was unclipped and I was ready to slip into my running shoes. Participant # 208 had racked his bike the wrong way again and created chaos in my area and no where to rack my bike.  I had to resist the urge to throw his bike, so I went around and  re-racked his bike to get it out of my way. I got my shoes, and visor on, then ran out of transition.

 

I grabbed a quick cup of water a volunteer offered at the first table. That went down and stayed down. The first turn out of the park and up the hill came up and I got my running legs. A short  path led me out to

72^nd street

.

 

It was a flat, fast stretch over to
Central Park. I saw Melissa and Mia just before I got to the park. I ran over to the sidewalk to get a quick kiss from my fans. This at least lifted my spirits. 1 mile down, only 5 to go.

 

The aide station was right inside the park so I grabbed some Accelerade and water. The Accelerade didn’t taste right and came back up almost immediately. I drank the water and that seemed okay.

 

I felt so thirsty, shaky and nauseous but there was less than 5 miles now to the finish, so I chugged along.

 

As the aide stations came up I just drank the water, which stayed down and seemed to make me feel better.  The mile marker just weren’t coming quick enough. I had run numerous races in the park, and done this triathlon before so I knew the course. It just seemed like it was longer today.

 

Mile 5 came and went and there was a nice downhill. I could hear the crowd and announcer from the finish area and it gave me a little rush of adrenaline. I saw the finish line and focused on it. Then it was done.

 

I felt completely wiped out, drained(literally) as I walked with other finishers. I got my iced towel, and a finishers hat from the volunteers so that made it all worth it.

 

It wasn’t my best race day, but I made it.