• Went out very aggressive, as planned.
• Immediately got on the heels of the lead pack and never got mixed up with all the chaos - left them far behind
• The temperature is comfortable as I settle into my own rhythm
• I set my sights on the turn buoy, since the guide buoy's are all over the place and not in the best line.
• The first turn was very congested as the lead pack caught up to the main pack of the wave before. I ended up getting caught in the mess and losing the pack I was drafting off of.
• I figured it was time for me to leave the party and put in a surge to get out of the pack
• My wet suit is filling with water - what is going on? I figured I tore it when I was trying to free myself from the pack.
• Nothing I can do about it but keep going and set my sights on the beach, put my head down, and off I went.

• As I attempt to unzip the wetsuit I notice the back was already wide open, someone unzipped my suit! Great! Wetsuit stripping was already half done!
• No congestion at the bike and was very easy out.

• Shot out like a missile, got comfortable, and checked my watch to make sure all was in order.
• What!! Watch is not cooperating and could not get it to work.
• No Power. No HR. No Data.
• The first 10 miles is very crowded, as my wave started in the middle.
• As I dip and swerve, surge and power up the climbs I notice this is an absolute blast. Started to see how many people I could pass. Having no data to monitor my effort I strictly went on perceived exertion.
• Stayed aero for the majority of the race. Bike feels screaming fast.

• Threw the bike on the rack, put on bib and shoes. I notice I am the second bike in!
• Excited, I take off out of transition

• Legs feel way too heavy
• Focus on leg turnover and keep breathing relaxed as I have no watch to check pace.
• Ran down the first place AG around the 3/4 mile mark.
• Excited I pick up the pace in order catch the group up the road. Wanted to find a good pack to tuck in and get this run over.
• After about 5 miles I am averaging a 6:20 (per the results)...where did this come from?
• Probably why I wasn't ready for the HILL!
• WOW, I'm still on this hill
• Is this whole race up hill?
• Made to the top to find out my legs are spent. Going down was just as hard as going up - Quads are screaming!
• Mile 10, legs are dead, cramping in legs start. Before things get worse I stop at the next aid station and drink a few cups of Coke and take a water. Off I go - Only 3 more miles, you can do this.
• That is were the wheels fall off.
• One person passes, then another...then another. OK 1.5 miles to go, suck it up, stay with this guy and you can still finish on the podium.
• Can't keep up though gave it my all, nothing left in the legs.
• Another passes...
• Demoralized I stagger to the finish. A lot of cheering and encouragement and I am quickly reminded of my goals.

Half Rev3 Quassy Race Report


Location:  Middlebury, CT
Weather:  Perfect - mid 60s at start, Water temp 71, Sunny reaching the 70s by mid race


The last time I raced was the end of October '11 at the Beach 2 Battleship iron distance in Wilmington, NC.  
And, this being the first race of the season for me, as well as supporting the athletes the day before at the Rev3 Olympic race, I was very excited for the start.  I was pretty far into my training for IMLP and felt more than ready to tackle this notoriously tough course.  I felt pretty good, definitely fit enough with plenty of excited energy, and with very little taper surprisingly fresh.  I had three goals for this race:  race it HARD, find where my fitness is in my IMLP training, and have fun!   


THE SWIM:

Went out very aggressive, as planned.Immediately got on the heels of the lead pack and never got mixed up with all the chaos - left them far behindThe temperature is comfortable as I settle into my own rhythmI set my sights on the turn buoy, since the guide buoy's are all over the place and not in the best line.The first turn was very congested as the lead pack caught up to the main pack of the wave before.  I ended up getting caught in the mess and losing the pack I was drafting off of.I figured it was time for me to leave the party and put in a surge to get out of the packMy wet suit is filling with water - what is going on?  I figured I tore it when I was trying to free myself from the pack.Nothing I can do about it but keep going and set my sights on the beach, put my head down, and off I went.
T1:

As I attempt to unzip the wetsuit I notice the back was already wide open, someone unzipped my suit!  Great! Wetsuit stripping was already half done!No congestion at the bike and was very easy out.  THE BIKE:

Shot out like a missile, got comfortable, and checked my watch to make sure all was in order.What!! Watch is not cooperating and could not get it to work.No Power.  No HR.  No Data.The first 10 miles is very crowded, as my wave started in the middle.As I dip and swerve, surge and power up the climbs I notice this is an absolute blast.  Started to see how many people I could pass.  Having no data to monitor my effort I strictly went on perceived exertion.Stayed aero for the majority of the race.  Bike feels screaming fast.
T2:

Threw the bike on the rack, put on bib and shoes.  I notice I am the second bike in! Excited, I take off out of transition
THE RUN:

Legs feel way too heavyFocus on leg turnover and keep breathing relaxed as I have no watch to check pace.Ran down the first place AG around the 3/4 mile mark.Excited I pick up the pace in order catch the group up the road.  Wanted to find a good pack to tuck in and get this run over.After about 5 miles I am averaging a 6:20 (per the results)...where did this come from?Probably why I wasn't ready for the HILL!WOW, I'm still on this hillIs this whole race up hill?Made to the top to find out my legs are spent.  Going down was just as hard as going up - Quads are screaming!Mile 10, legs are dead, cramping in legs start.  Before things get worse I stop at the next aid station and drink a few cups of Coke and take a water.  Off I go - Only 3 more miles, you can do this.That is were the wheels fall off.One person passes, then another...then another.  OK 1.5 miles to go, suck it up, stay with this guy and you can still finish on the podium.Can't keep up though gave it my all, nothing left in the legs.Another passes...Demoralized I stagger to the finish.  A lot of cheering and encouragement and I am quickly reminded of my goals.                                        1.  Race Hard - check
                                    2.  Find where my fitness is - check
                                    3.  HAVE FUN - oh yea...CHECK!!


POST RACE:


I was quickly approached by friends and teammates and again was reminded of the true reason I love this sport.  Put down a few bottles of water and Gatorade and collected myself.   Cheering the athletes down the finishing shoot with Cliff and other athletes while chatting about the race like war stories is always a part of racing I enjoy.  I am very grateful to share these experiences with all of them.
I am very happy with my fitness and training this far in preparation for IMLP.  Racing a half is very different from racing a full iron.  I did my best while learning a few things to work on.  Ended up finishing 13th overall.  Now, time to recover and get back to the grind of preparing for the next step - Ironman Lake Placid!


Congratulations and great job to everyone - athletes, volunteers and the spectathletes!


Aspire, Perspire, Inspire.


Coach Adam