This blog post is far overdue. I apologize about that!
On the 10th, I competed at the renowned
Escape From Alcatraz triathlon. Having missed last year’s race, I was very excited to be back. As usual, the field was stacked with the likes of Potts, Docherty, Atkinson, Godoy, O’Grady, and Fleischman to name a few. The horn sounded and we plunged into the frigid bay waters. Happily, my
Xterra Vendetta wetsuit kept me warm and buoyant so the initial shock of sub-60 degree water temperatures was not nearly as bad.
Normally it’s been a swim with big chop, but this time it was lake-like glassy. However, the current did not possess its usual strength, which resulted in slower swim times. Nonetheless, my
Xterra wetsuit kept me in contention and I exited the water in 34th, a far better swim than I’ve ever had at EFA! For the first time, I decided to do the ¾ mile run to transition BAREFOOT and man was that painful!! It was like the pins-and-needles feeling you get after your foot falls asleep meshed with running across a bed of scalding hot coals (not that I’ve ever done that before)! At the same time though, I did shave 15 seconds off my T1 time – no PAIN, no GAIN!
I jumped on the bike and started powering away. About 2 miles in, I hit the first of many hills on this undulating bike course. Out of the saddle, I caught up to two other competitors and started going back and forth with them for the ensuing 5 miles. We made it out to Golden Gate Park and just before the turn around I put these two racers in my rear view for good and began focusing on the racers ahead. Since I wasn’t making up as much time as I wanted, I took some BIG risks on the downhill sections that I wouldn’t have normally taken but it seemed to help. I came into T2 in 19th.
Going into the run, I knew I had work to do so I went right to it. I worked the flat sections hard, I ascended efficiently and I let my legs go on the down hills. Prior to EFA, I’ve been trying a lower cadence on the bike in BRICK workouts and it has seemed to positively affect my running. My run leg at EFA confirmed this as I posted one of the faster run splits on the day and about 30 seconds faster than my run split from two years ago! I wound up reeling in 6 guys and crossing the line in 13th, with a time of 2:13:44.
Considering my offseason was slightly delayed by GMAT courses and business school applications, I feel I’m now starting to round into shape nicely. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season! Up next is 5i50 NYC on July 8 – another great race!
As usual, I have to give it up to my awesome sponsors!
Skechers,
Zico Coconut Water,
Xterra Wetsuits,
Gu Energy Labs,
Champion Systems,
Kask Helmets, and
Evolution Physical Therapy!
Results can be found
here. Thanks for checking in. Talk soon!
-HH
Let’s get into it!
Normally it’s been a swim with big chop, but this time it was lake-like glassy. However, the current did not possess its usual strength, which resulted in slower swim times. Nonetheless, my Xterra wetsuit kept me in contention and I exited the water in 34th, a far better swim than I’ve ever had at EFA! For the first time, I decided to do the ¾ mile run to transition BAREFOOT and man was that painful!! It was like the pins-and-needles feeling you get after your foot falls asleep meshed with running across a bed of scalding hot coals (not that I’ve ever done that before)! At the same time though, I did shave 15 seconds off my T1 time – no PAIN, no GAIN!
I jumped on the bike and started powering away. About 2 miles in, I hit the first of many hills on this undulating bike course. Out of the saddle, I caught up to two other competitors and started going back and forth with them for the ensuing 5 miles. We made it out to Golden Gate Park and just before the turn around I put these two racers in my rear view for good and began focusing on the racers ahead. Since I wasn’t making up as much time as I wanted, I took some BIG risks on the downhill sections that I wouldn’t have normally taken but it seemed to help. I came into T2 in 19th.
Going into the run, I knew I had work to do so I went right to it. I worked the flat sections hard, I ascended efficiently and I let my legs go on the down hills. Prior to EFA, I’ve been trying a lower cadence on the bike in BRICK workouts and it has seemed to positively affect my running. My run leg at EFA confirmed this as I posted one of the faster run splits on the day and about 30 seconds faster than my run split from two years ago! I wound up reeling in 6 guys and crossing the line in 13th, with a time of 2:13:44.
Considering my offseason was slightly delayed by GMAT courses and business school applications, I feel I’m now starting to round into shape nicely. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season! Up next is 5i50 NYC on July 8 – another great race!
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