Not sure why I gave a Canadian ending to the title of a North Carolina race report, but I did. If you want the short recap refer to my FB status on 10/26. Here's the ramble version:

 

I raced IM Chat just 4 weeks prior, so I was not sure how I would feel for this race. Original plan was to take it close to training intensity (which isn't all that far off from IM intensity anyway lol.) But, I felt fairly healthy going in so I went with a normal but conservative race plan. For those that don't know, in June I qualified to race in the pro category and have since given myself the title of slow pro.

 

Leading into the race I felt very different mentally from typical. I assume my typical is what is also the norm for many of you... mind somewhat in an annoying loop of thoughts about the race. Little bit anxious, thinking about your execution, dreaming your high goals and fearing the possibility of a bad day. This time however I had none of that. I wanted to place well, but I didn't think much about any of it in the days leading in. I'm attributing this to now having done 7 IMs, with Chat being super recent. I guess they really are becoming just as routine as big training days. I tried to convince myself of that for Chat and I guess it's working well now, lol. I was slightly getting concerned though because my lack of focus was leading to not planning out race logistics, not getting to bed early for all of the several days before, etc. I set my alarm and went to bed with a feeling of I was going to do something stupid like forget to set my alarm.. even though I just did that.

 

I was fourtunate enough to get a homestay, however it wasn't very close to race site. The family wasn't there and the other athletes who were scheduled to stay there made other plans (since it was far away I imagine). It was a large and very nice beach house in topsail... awesome but a bit lonely.

 

Woke up a few times throughout the night... last time at 4:30. My alarm was set for 4:20. I checked my phone and it was set for P.M... wooops. Onward, still no nerves. almost an hour drive to T1. I left my phone, keys, and everything I wasn't racing with in my car. No morning bag drop off and no shuttles back to T1 from the finish, which was 20 min away. I figured I'd worry about how to get back after the race.. either find someone or bike an extra 15 miles lol.

 

Shuttles ran from T1 to the swim start. I got a party bus. It was awesome. Champaign glasses in the corners, nice limo like seating, lights, club music bumpin. That was fun and unexpected. I was one of the first onto the bus and it was great watching everyone's surprised face as they came inside. Standing around swim start was cold. I stole some clothes other people already ditched... Salvation Army guy didn't want me taking their recently donated clothes but I promised to give them back in 30 minutes.

 

Alright, for those still reading lets get the race started! Swim start was good. Very crowded but I didn't get bumped much at all. Swam hard out of the gates, then settled onto some feet after ~300 yards or so. That lasted a while, then found myself alone for a while, then came up on a group. I was confused there, because they were moving fast and I was happy in their draft so I'm not sure how I caught them. Ooh thinking now, it was right after a turn.. maybe I got to that turn a better way than them. Anyway, swimming the last third or so with them was very pleasant and I came out with that group of 6 or so. Swim time sub 42! Ha, better swim than even Chattanooga! Passed a few people in transition and onto the bike with less than 45 min on the clock.

 

Temp was in the mid 40's for a while. I was still warm enough from the swim for the first 30 min, but then got cold for the next hour. It wasn't too bad though. Two pros (Wood and Starkey) passed me on the bike fairly early on, going enough faster that I didn't bother trying to stick with either. Another pro (Sweet) passed me and didn't move up... rode with him for maybe 90 min. It was nice to not be out there all lonely. I lost him though when I had pee... no hills so I pretty much coasted to a stop. I didn't see him again till coming into town, 1/4 mi before T2. That was nice though to find out I was still there by him. The whole bike ride was fairly plain.. just riding. I ate my gels, drank my water, and kept on pedaling. Power however was ~8-10W higher than expected, I felt fine, and I realized I could possibly break 9 hours. That was exciting.

 

I ran out of T2, and realized my garmin was not in my hat with my number belt... hmm.. where'd it go? Oh well, kept on running. I was curious about my pace since I really didn't know, but just went by feel and kept it comfortable. If I felt a little stressed, I'd back off a little, and if I felt too relaxed then I'd pick it up some. I also forgot to pack a water bottle for the run. Getting water from the aid stations was a bit tricky since there were many of the half racers on course going much slower. I grabbed and drank as much as I could and hoped that'd be enough. Sweet got a bit ahead of me early in the run, but I did my own thing and repassed him around mi 8 or 9. At the first turnaround I got to see who was in front of me.. it was the 4 guys I expected were in front and no others. That was cool... in the money baby! Those 4 were all close together, running fast for the top spot, and over a mile ahead. I knew those guys were high competition and I wouldn't be able to run any of them down... so I held my own thing. I thought of myself as the reaper to the front race... Anyone up there who broke pace too much I'd come and get 'um! One did.. I passed him around mi 21 or 22. Sweet was still a ways back so I really didn't have any pressure. I like it that way. Just pulled it in strong but comfortable. The only gauge I had for guessing my time was by asking bystanders what time it was, and doing the math to get an E.T.F. (heheh.) I was thinking I was around 8:46. I thought about pushing and trying to get under 8:45 but didn't bother, just ran what I felt like. But holy schmoly was that exciting when I saw the clock and was able to cruise through the finish in just under 8:44! Looking at the few online splits, it looks like my pace only varied a few seconds and splits are even slightly negative!

 

Oh, after the race, like normal I met lots of nice people (some of whom drove me back to T1), chatted stories, hung out with friends, ate food, and watched finishers come in.

 

PRs in all three events, overall time 32 minute PR, 4th/10 pros, and scored my first ever prize money! Small money but enough to cover my travel 🙂 All in all a great way to wrap off the season. Especially coming from unknown expectations.

 

Things I learned:

- I'm not the slowest of the pros 🙂

- Finally was able to pee and keep pedaling (2nd time here, first time I had to coast and lost the other pro.)

- I can pace even better than I realized just from feel.

- Sleep the 4 nights before doesn't matter as much as I thought (though I'll still try to get more sleep in future races.)

- Eating more salt seems to make your sweat more salty... interesting. They were handing out the Base salt tubes and I used them. I think it may have helped me retain water a little better. I didn't drink quite as much (since I couldn't having forgotten my bottle) and I didn't have to stop and pee during the run. But after when I did pee, I wasn't dehydrated.

-Long course racing really is just like a long training day.. but longer.