First Xterra of 2012 is in the books. Overall i am happy with the result (8th OV in 2:53), for where my fitness is at, training to date and taking all considerations into account - fantastic result. I refuse to diminish the result because of ... insert excuse here! Plain and simple, i can do better and know that in consult with my coach - Luke Way, i will get to where i want to be.
Swim went better than i thought, especially in terms of feeling comfy in the water and not getting tired shoulders like i have in the past. Kept my stroke long and powerful and just need to swim more in my wetsuit to get faster. Came out in about 17 minutes.
A quick T1 and onto the bike. Started out mid packish and just planned to ride at a good pace and catch whomever i could - i was going on perceived exertion as i forgot my HR strap and watch. No worries, just go to where it feels like i am working a little too hard. Stayed steady and passed several guys i did not think i would. However, there were a few guys i hoped i might see but never did - this meant i was not gaining and would need to out run them or hope for some help from the Gods - cramping, poor runs or just off on the run.
Into T2 and another quick transition and out on the run. Kept my camelback on and thank goodness i did - i enjoyed having water whenever i wanted it. Long climb to start felt like hell - again thankfully it was not too hot. Just pushed my paced to where i felt i could hold it for 45 mins or so. Figured i had 5-6 minutes on a couple of fast runners that i was hoping to hold off. When one of them passed me on lap one i figured i had little chance of holding the other 2 off. But, onto lap 2 and the K's passed and nobody was coming, i got hopeful. In the last 2K, one guy goes by and i tired to hold his pace - he got about 25-40 metres ahead and i held that gap. I kept looking for the next pass, but not yet. As we got to within 1K, i saw my gap to the next fast runner gaining on me and said, no way, i holding where i am! I actually closed the gap to the guy who just passed me. I never got closer than 10 seconds, but held off for 8th place overall.
Super stoked i managed to pick up the pace at the end - could i have ran faster in places - likely, but at what cost??? I managed the end well and had a decent result.
I was the likely recipient of awesome support and cheering from many people, but especially my girlfriend - Kathleen, thanks sweetie - you are the best!
Time to recover and get ready for the hard work - getting more run fit, run intervals and just running faster.
