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2 mile run/ 12 mile bike/ 2 mile run<br>
Time 1:02:08<br>
7/64 OV<br>
1/6 AG (40-44) Hardware!!!<br><br>
Based on last year's times and attendance, I knew going into this race that I would have a good shot at an AG placement. Depending of course on who actually showed up. My goal was to run sub 7:00 pace for the first run, hammer the bike as hard as I possibly could (this is where I knew that I could make up the most time), and hang on for all I could for the second run.<br><br>
This event is run through Rip Van Winkle Gardens, south of Lafayette, La. The area features a plantation home, live oak trees over 150 years old and beautiful gardens and plant nursery. Both runs were inside the garden grounds while the bike took us out onto local country roads.<br><br>
First run: Started off very well, we were a bit bunched up at first, but soon worked ourselves into positions. When we got to the 1 mile mark and I was at 6:45 and feeling good, comfortable and relaxed, I knew the rest of the race was going to go my way. Second mile was like the first and I pulled into T1 at 13:30, still on 6:45 pace.<br><br>
Bike: This is where I knew that I had to give it everything and I wasted no time. I immediately set my sites on the bike in front of me and passed him. I then set my sites on the next bike, and passed him. I kept this up for the entire 12 miles, hammering as hard as I could, each guy in front of me becomming a new target to pass.<br><br>
The first half of the bike course was into some headwinds and the road surface was a bit rough. Even though I was gaining, it still wasn't quite what I was hoping for. With about 4 miles to go, we turned onto a better road with a tail wind and at that point I cranked it up another notch and it was "Warp factor one: Engage!".<br><br>
And I'll say this; I love passing guys with carbon bikes, aero helmets and rear discs. I know their set up cost twice what I've got, and I'd love to have their set up. But they gotta be thinking. "What the..." when I pass them. And I purposely speed it up even more, just so I can blow by them like they are sitting still.<br><br>
When I get into T2 there are very few bikes there. I dont count them but I know that I've never come into a second transition with so few bikes ahead of me.<br><br>
T1/Bike/T2 time was 34:07, 7th place OV bike split.<br><br>
Second Run: Just hang on for whatever I've got left. I know one guy in my AG was about 30 seconds behind me. How do know this? Cause he's the current prez of our Tri club and our BDays are 3 days apart. And there's one guy in front of me that looks like he's my age (they didn't mark our ages on our legs, so I'm not sure who is who). I soon pass the guy in front of me and check things behind me at each turn. It's still looking good and since I'm not sure of my overall placement at this point, I'm thinking that I have at least a 2nd place in my AG.<br><br>
I crank it up one more notch for the last bit and cruise into the finish with a 14:31 (7:16pace) second run.<br><br>
After all the dust has settled and we get to look at the results, I find that I've finished 1st in my AG!! Woo Hoo!!<br>
7th overall! Whoa, I've never done that well in any race before.<br>
In my AG I had the 3rd place first run, 2nd place bike, and 1st place second run.<br>
The one guy that I passed on the second run was in my AG. Whew, I'm glad I pushed it to pass him.<br>
There was 30 seconds between first place and third place in our AG, the narrowest margin of any of the AG placements.<br><br>
This is the first bit of hardware that I've won in almost 4 years of running and 1 year of multisport. Other than getting 3rd OV at my first beginners tri (but they only gave out finisher's medals).<br><br>
And I have to brag on my tri club prez who is a great runner/triathlete. After finishing 3rd in our AG, he offers to let me use his aero wheels and helmet at our club Duathlon next weekend. He's the RD and won't be racing so he's gonna let me try out his wheel set. I can't say enough about him- awesome guy and a great sport!<br><br>
Speaking of our tri club. I think we had 7 guys and gals in this Du, and everyone of us brought home hardware in their respective AGs.<br><br><br>
One other thing:<br>
Lake Peigneur, which is right next to Rip Van Winkle Gardens made history in 1980 with this interesting event<br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwU1fLHqkFg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwU1fLHqkFg</a>
Time 1:02:08<br>
7/64 OV<br>
1/6 AG (40-44) Hardware!!!<br><br>
Based on last year's times and attendance, I knew going into this race that I would have a good shot at an AG placement. Depending of course on who actually showed up. My goal was to run sub 7:00 pace for the first run, hammer the bike as hard as I possibly could (this is where I knew that I could make up the most time), and hang on for all I could for the second run.<br><br>
This event is run through Rip Van Winkle Gardens, south of Lafayette, La. The area features a plantation home, live oak trees over 150 years old and beautiful gardens and plant nursery. Both runs were inside the garden grounds while the bike took us out onto local country roads.<br><br>
First run: Started off very well, we were a bit bunched up at first, but soon worked ourselves into positions. When we got to the 1 mile mark and I was at 6:45 and feeling good, comfortable and relaxed, I knew the rest of the race was going to go my way. Second mile was like the first and I pulled into T1 at 13:30, still on 6:45 pace.<br><br>
Bike: This is where I knew that I had to give it everything and I wasted no time. I immediately set my sites on the bike in front of me and passed him. I then set my sites on the next bike, and passed him. I kept this up for the entire 12 miles, hammering as hard as I could, each guy in front of me becomming a new target to pass.<br><br>
The first half of the bike course was into some headwinds and the road surface was a bit rough. Even though I was gaining, it still wasn't quite what I was hoping for. With about 4 miles to go, we turned onto a better road with a tail wind and at that point I cranked it up another notch and it was "Warp factor one: Engage!".<br><br>
And I'll say this; I love passing guys with carbon bikes, aero helmets and rear discs. I know their set up cost twice what I've got, and I'd love to have their set up. But they gotta be thinking. "What the..." when I pass them. And I purposely speed it up even more, just so I can blow by them like they are sitting still.<br><br>
When I get into T2 there are very few bikes there. I dont count them but I know that I've never come into a second transition with so few bikes ahead of me.<br><br>
T1/Bike/T2 time was 34:07, 7th place OV bike split.<br><br>
Second Run: Just hang on for whatever I've got left. I know one guy in my AG was about 30 seconds behind me. How do know this? Cause he's the current prez of our Tri club and our BDays are 3 days apart. And there's one guy in front of me that looks like he's my age (they didn't mark our ages on our legs, so I'm not sure who is who). I soon pass the guy in front of me and check things behind me at each turn. It's still looking good and since I'm not sure of my overall placement at this point, I'm thinking that I have at least a 2nd place in my AG.<br><br>
I crank it up one more notch for the last bit and cruise into the finish with a 14:31 (7:16pace) second run.<br><br>
After all the dust has settled and we get to look at the results, I find that I've finished 1st in my AG!! Woo Hoo!!<br>
7th overall! Whoa, I've never done that well in any race before.<br>
In my AG I had the 3rd place first run, 2nd place bike, and 1st place second run.<br>
The one guy that I passed on the second run was in my AG. Whew, I'm glad I pushed it to pass him.<br>
There was 30 seconds between first place and third place in our AG, the narrowest margin of any of the AG placements.<br><br>
This is the first bit of hardware that I've won in almost 4 years of running and 1 year of multisport. Other than getting 3rd OV at my first beginners tri (but they only gave out finisher's medals).<br><br>
And I have to brag on my tri club prez who is a great runner/triathlete. After finishing 3rd in our AG, he offers to let me use his aero wheels and helmet at our club Duathlon next weekend. He's the RD and won't be racing so he's gonna let me try out his wheel set. I can't say enough about him- awesome guy and a great sport!<br><br>
Speaking of our tri club. I think we had 7 guys and gals in this Du, and everyone of us brought home hardware in their respective AGs.<br><br><br>
One other thing:<br>
Lake Peigneur, which is right next to Rip Van Winkle Gardens made history in 1980 with this interesting event<br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwU1fLHqkFg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwU1fLHqkFg</a>
