Ha ha! Here I thought I was getting the ball rolling for new reports last year when I put the Storrie Lake and Billy the Kid Tri race reports up, but it seems we have all run out of blogging steam. I think the usual tri club bloggers have all had some big things happening, and that is likely why no one posted anything since I did about a year ago.
Anyway, here is a repeat of the same two races, one year on:
Billy the Kid Triathlon - Ft. Sumner, NM
Once again, the "BtK" Tri has featured in the Chasing3 Open Water Tri Series. Once again, it was not the best run race, promotionally speaking. This year was lacking a lot of organization, but it is a beautiful venue and an interesting course, so it was still worth it. This year's version was more or less a DIY tri, with just some folks turning out to go through the motions of a regular triathlon.
I'll leave out the gory details of poor organization. But, everything was affected. First off, the swim was totally wrong in it's distance. It was quite long - probably exactly what a 70.3 swim should be. That's OK, we need the practice. The bike is not a 40km, but the course is challenging an consistently bumpy, so it still takes a while. The run is long, and for some reason, they added more to it.
If you haven't heard me whining about it, I've had an ever-increasing back problem over the past few years that is really beginning to bug me, especially when I run. Something happened late last season that made it worse, and I had a horrible start to my run training. I've had to go see doctors, but you know how that is...mostly disappointing because they aren't really sure about anything. They just tell me not to run and go get therapy. So, the upside is that I have been getting some great PT and have become very aware of what is happening to my muscles and nerves due to the collapsed disks and injured facets of my lower vertebrae. I've had to completely change the way I run, and do many other things, and it seems to be working, but I can't run "fast" like I used to. It's frustrating, but at least I'm not all in pain like I had become there for a while.
The run at BtK was a bit frustrating. I had done two XTERRA races the week before, both with less than fast runs, and the BtK was rough. I also took a wrong turn (or rather, missed a turn) and had to double-back, but it didn't really matter. I had been holding 2nd throughout the race, but with a very strong Frankie Benavidez always behind within striking distance. This guy is fit and strong this year, and it didn't take him too long to dispense with me on the tough run. I watched with envy as he sped up the road away from me. Rance Irvin had the race locked up from the gun, with dominating performances in all three disciplines.
Lots of other folks out there had solid efforts on that tough course.
OK, on to the Storrie Lake Triathlon-turned-Duathlon:
By now, you've probably heard that there is a drought in the Land of Enchantment. Storrie Lake just looked sad. There was enough water to host a full triathlon, but the water was very turbid and we would have had to wade through knee deep mud and muck to get in and out of the water. They made the right call in changing it over to a duathlon.
Poor Angie at Chasing3...she's had a rough year this year. More on that in a later post, but she's been beaten up with some of the great events she has promoted over the last couple of years, and she just hasn't caught a break this year. Now, this deal with the drought and having to alter the race to a duathlon.
Quite a few NM folks rallied though, and for that, I applaud you. I am not quite sure why some people have issues with Chasing3 and the Open Water Series. Again, more on that later.
Anyway, the day dawned beautiful. I mean, very pretty, with the big moon and totally calm winds, and even a little chill in the air. What a day for a race!
I was very concerned about my back for that first 5km opener. I haven't been able to train well this year, and certainly have no speed in my legs. I knew it was going to be ugly, and somehow, I had to keep my form and not get hurt. I think I did a very good job, without losing too much ground. But, it is still very frustrating to see where I could/should be, vs. where I am. I was impressed with the speed of the leaders, and especially Danny Montoya, who put in a wicked 5km opener with a 15:11 or something like that. Very fast!
I suffered a bit, but got better after the first mile. Mile 2 improved, especially with the big hill we had to climb. I still like running uphill, so that's good. I also ran downhill fairly well. The flats are more difficult. I came in with a 16:38, about 9th, including teams. I had some ground to make up on the bike.
Once out on the bike, it took a while longer to find my legs than usual, but it's probably because I had just run, not swum. Thankfully, I did find my legs to some extent. They were good, not 100% great. I'll complain about my lack of training again, but keep it brief. I've barely ridden my tri bike this year, and just don't have a lot of time in the saddle period, compared to years past. Lots reasons for that, but I can tell that it is affecting my road tri power and speed. Hopefully, I'll get a little better before the season is done.
Since there were a number of dudes up the road, I got to see how they ride and what all was going on. There were some shenanigans with riding too close and etc., but whatever. It happens sometimes and I don't think about it unless it is really bad.
Again Rance Irvin was crushing it and us. I thought I was really having a fast ride because I was slowly grinding up to Marty Moriarty (who was competing in a relay) up the long hill past the Sapello turn-off, but at the turn-around, I saw that Rance was way out in front and going away further. I kept at it, and slowly ground my way up to Danny Montoya, who was having a stellar day and a great ride on the bike. I don't think I've ever seen him ride so strongly, so big kudos to him. He was really giving it hell!
Unfortunately for me, Danny is a really fast runner, and it didn't take him long to whip up on me on the run. He ran so fast that he actually got out of sight by the later part of the run. That is hard on the mental aspect, knowing you're getting the tar beat out of you and there's nothing you can do.
But, I do have some positive feelings about that run, and the opening run. Overall, they felt better and more natural. It's been exhausting to go out running and have to think about posture and "neutral spine" on every single stride. I was able to run during the race and not think about it quite so much. So, I was not all that disappointed.
I had worked up to 2nd place, lost it quickly on the run to Danny, then held 3rd until the very end, when a hard-charging Tchad Leeds came pounding up behind me. I was already pushing my back's limit by that point and could not accelerate to beat him at the line. So, he took 3rd at the finish. Later, he would receive a double penalty: one for drafting and one for littering. Those refs are serious when they warn you at the start about that stuff. I've had to learn the hard way more than once myself. The final result was that I got 3rd and he was relegated to 5th.
Angie had lots for the racers afterward, with prompt awards, food, and just plain fun post-race atmosphere. It was a great day to out at a race!
Big thanks to Angie and Chasing3, and all of the volunteers they found, and the Storrie Lake rangers and state police and volunteer fire fighter folks, etc. They all made the race safe and fun.
Next up for most of you...the VERY awesome City of Lakes Triathlon in Santa Rosa. You don't want to miss it. Those courses are so cool. I will have to miss it due to family vacation obligations, but will be back for the Cochiti Tri...woohoo!
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