So how was the buildup for Vineman and how did I fare. Training and rehabbing went well for June and July, although I didnt have full run legs i was ready to race. My July sessions were good with long rides and LSD runs making up the bulk of training. I did taper for a couple weeks which was extremely helpful as that assisted in mitigating my piriformis issues. The build up to Vineman was fantastic and I looked forward to finishing the California swing races this year. Vineman was my 5th triathlon this year and I have 5 planned to go. So here is how it went.
Rented a SUV for the drive over to Healdsburg, CA. We took the long route going over to Ventura and up the PCH1 through Santa barbara and up to Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo. It was a wonderful drive with MyBella, Stormie and Gandie in on the road trip. We had a loaded Chev Traverse, with bikes of Carlos and Sue also making the journey. Day 2 we continued up the PCH 1 through Big Sur and Carmel. Spectacular coastline and cold! We ended up at the Golden gate bridge at the begiinning of rush hour so the drive up to Healdsburg was slow on the 101. No worries as we got to the cottage by 5 VBRO rental home 1800 sq for 200.00 per night = deal. Dinner at the HBG and we were set. Day 3, bike ride on the course to check it out. Hilly and technical 1st half and then it straightened out somewhat. The last leg went thru Chalk Hill and up two big hills, not long but steep. Doable for sure. The run course never saw flat ground. We went to the finish line and T2 to see the layout and it looked great already decked out. Then it was off to Cass's mom and Dads place in Santa Rosa for dinner. They had a very charming home with awesome woodwork. Fantastic meal with everyONE including VWAR (Stephan). Unexpected as he got crashed by the the naked crazy guy at shea and 92 nd st a couple weeks before. I had stopped in the expo on the way and was the 1st customer to buy my goodies, hat visor jacket etc..lol.
Day 4 we were up early and down to Guerneville early for a swim, 800m to check it out. I was sorted of worried as the water seemed warm but they found a cold spot so we would be wearing wet suits, hurray as I so didnt want to race in only my race kit...
RACE DAY:
415 am up and atom. breakfast and coffee, organize my race plan and hit the road. We drove the race course through the fog to get to the start line about a 17 mile drive. The course looked awesome in the vineyards before daybreak. We got to the parking area in town, no problems and walked down to the river. As usual JTD and Cindi were alrady there in a great spot. Carla hung out while i dropped my bike and gear to get ready.
RACE TIME:
7:26 am and the 55-59 ers were off. Damn, right off the bat there were good swimmers. I got in a swim train and followed a couple guys right to the turnaround. note several times my fingers scrapped the bottom of the river as it was that shallow in places. On the turn I passed a bunch who decided to rest thru the turn. Heading down stream i passed several of my cap colors and some of different colors. nice! a good swim. Out of the water i went past my bike and had to back track, it was crowded with stuff flying everywhere from my group..I was a little slow on transition but i wanted to make sure I drank, and got my socks on correct, no blisters today please. As i headed out of T1 i saw MyBella and said hello and sent my bag flying into the crowd, well maybe a little into the crowd...lol On my bike at the top of the hill and away i went. As I passed the Korbel winery I thought out Carla stopping for me there on friday, ha end of the ride that day. I got pass the trickey part at the brideg and went at the hills pretty good. About 8 miles in i check my HR and realized that 19 mph was not going to work if i want to run, so i eased up and got my HR at 130-135. I parked it there for most of the ride which worked out to 17.1 mph. There were numerous hills and if u were aMTB rider it would have been perfect. That type of course on a road. Down Mill Creek Rd we went until we got back to Healdsburg. Nutrition and flatter roads from there on Dry Creek. Once we got to Chalk Hill rd the roads got winedy but not horrible. I was finally able to see some of the wine country when i ate my second snack. Back at it to the big hill. Ouch, steep, similar to, Palasdaes going south in Fountain Hills, so 7-8 mph up and screaming twisty turny downhill. 32-35 mph! The last 10 miles were finally in Aero as the road was gently downhill and speeds picked up. Surprisingly I felt good here and thought i may have a decent race time. I started calulating my run from where i was and thought, OK this might be a good day...just a thought though and reality was about to hit. Got to transition, in the chaos and hit the road. Mile 1-3 not too bad, minor hills but they never stopped and the temps and sun were out now. Dowse with cups of water at every aid station, drank the elecrolytes and water and seemed fine till mile 5-6. Wheels about to come off as a long hill not terrilby steep seemed to zap all my energy and just like that I was walking, damn!! I loaded up at the aid station as i thought i might be under nurished but that didnt help and niehter did the hills. We got to the LeCrema winery and onto dirt..Hilly and slow. Got to the turnaround and had to walk some more. Back up the hill from which I came. more walking ...heading back into town and my quads were now talking to me as were my hips. The last four were walk and run the rest of the way. Not the way I envisioned this race but the way it was. Just before the finish line I saw MyBella and stopped to give her a big KISS, then onto the finish line. And just like that Vineman was over and done.
MY TAKEAWAYS:
I thoroughly enjoyed this race and the comradre amongest my ONE mates...Keep working hard as better race results will come....less quantity...more quality, something i started in January....stay the course thru the ups and down of racing....race expectations are not always the real world...work on staying healthy...Improve fitness in all aspects of triathlon including, swim bike, run, core, nutrition and stretching. Have fun racing and in training....follow the training plans...be adaptable to change...Train with my ONE mates when possible and lastly more REST DAYS, my biggest downfall im sure...
THE GOALS:
Mountain Man oly tri in August, Nathan's Sprint in Sept, Urban Dirt sprint, SOMA 1/2 Ironman, Javalina 12 hour run at the Mcdowells and finally IMAZ. Dang, thats a lot of racing but most of that will be big training days with minimum taper.
IMAZ Training starts now, Week 1and I cant wait....
