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Kensington Valley Tri #3 |
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Written by Micheal Green
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Tuesday, 16 September 2008 |
Kensington Valley Triathlon Series #3
Island Lake Recreation Area and Kensington Metropark
Brighton, MI
 The problem with triathlons is that they usually occur early in the morning, with start time at 8am, or before. This typically means that the family DO NOT want to miss their weekend sleep-in, and thus, some racers have no-one shouting their name as encouragement. Often, that person is me – no-one cheering.
My last triathlon of this season was part three of the Kensington Valley Triathlon Series, held at Island State Park, racing the same course as round one - http://www.bikeman.com/content/view/1619/64/ . As most racers, I analyze my races to see how I can improve next time, and the beauty of this race day was that it was on the same course as before, so I would have a direct comparison. However, what made this event different , I had my own cheering section, my parents and eldest daughter (9) all decided to get up early and cheer me on, even though the race start time for this event was 7:30……AM!
As before, I knew coming into the race, that some fast racers would be attending, and racing their hardest to claim the cash prize. Similarly, as before I knew I would need to race a solid three events, have fast transitions and just red-line the whole time. Only this time, I needed a faster swim and run. If I executed appropriately, I felt strongly that I could remove 2 minutes from my previous race and crack the overall top 5, which is my event goal – last go around, I was 7th. More importantly, I could actually race myself – this time versus last.
The week prior had been hot and I expected the water to be very warm, thus a non-wetsuit swim, which I prefer. However, we had some good rain over the final days, and sure enough the water temperature was wetsuit legal under USA Triathlon rules, and it was to be another fast swim. With the bright sun shining and a slight mist over Kent Lake, the gun went off. I sprinted to the lead, and found myself swimming with one other around the lake and into transition, I struggled a bit with the wetsuit over my size 14 feet, and lost some time and places, sixteen seconds? The bike was as before, a speed fest, exceeding the 25mph speed signs through the state park. At T2, my bike was sevens second slower than last time – amazingly similar. However, because of the faster swim, at this point I was a minute and sixteen ahead of myself!
The second transition was as before, so now it came to the run. I hate the run! This race started with a steep hill followed by a gradual incline to a turn around. Then, weaving in and out of trees; along the lake; and back to the start for lap two. I knew that on the last occasion, I had lost a little focus on the first lap, lost some time complaining to myself about the hills. So, I chose a pace and attempted to hold it. This is also when the lighter runners fly by me, further making this portion a mental battle. Eventually, the race was over. I had indeed ran faster…by 30 seconds. Still, nothing in comparison the leaders running sub 5:45’s – CRAZY.
I had beat by own personal record by almost 2 minutes – so I hit my goal. Problem was that everyone else had a similar plan in mind. I was thinking that my cheering squad had given me some wings, but it appears they gave the same to the competition as well!? My 7th place completed a successful triathlon season. I averaging in the overall top 5 for all events and enjoyed every one of them.
The triathlon crowd may be a little extreme with their equipment and intense about their training, but they know how to hang out, eat and laugh afterward. Perhaps you should plan for such an event for 2009.
Michael
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