Pacific Crest Olympic Distance Race Report

Firing on all cylinders, still slow on the swim! And I'm happy with how things went.

Since I didn't have results yesterday afternoon I had to judge based on how I raced on the course, it felt great, I was really moving well the entire day and when I got to the finish there weren't many people in the finish tent. A friend came in to congratulate me and she mentioned I must have done well overall since there weren't many people in front of me, but at that point I didn't know.

Third in my age group, (probably the toughest of all age groups...)

I just missed the top ten overall, had a top run spilt even though I actually I split slower than the Boise 70.3 (it was 13.1 vs. 6.2mi) on the run! And had a top bike split (15th overall) though people were bunched closely in the results..

This race was no Olympic Distance as the swim was measured long for sure, most of the top 1/3rd were bunch around 22-23min which is about where I swim (or think I should).

The swim was the big concern (and still is) but I had a good start, but lost momentum as I always do in the pack around the first buoy. I didn't tie up or run out steam, but I'm not sure I pushed the envelope the way I should, and that's because I'm still a novice in so many ways in the water. Still, I swam good tangents, but didn't have a good group to swim with. And, shockingly, caught slower swimmers in the first wave.

The bike went well.

The course had alot more hill than advertised. According to the official results only three people broke 20mph avg.... My Powertap says different (20.8mph avg & 199w avg).. I tried to ride my threshold most of the ride and felt pretty good the whole way. It was almost 30miles vs. 28mi as advertised.

Most importantly I rode the second fastest split in my age division (good sign for IM Canada) and out spilt a buddy who consistently crushes me on the bike.

The run was hot, low 90's F. The goal given my current track work was to come off the bike and run 5.45s. It was not an option in the heat, but again I had top result here and it shows I am on track for Canada.

I was short on my time goals by alot, but I imagine everyone else was too based on the times. The important thing was that I was at the front of my division and gave myself a chance to catch people.

I am excited for IMC, the marathon gives alot of time to catch people!