AZCross Race #1 (and not #2)

So, the first 2 races of the AZCross series were this weekend right here in Flagstaff... I was all excited to try cross again... then I actually tried cross again. I knew I was in trouble after doing a practice lap... course was fun, but I still feel just really slow.

When the race started I was just trying to see how long I could keep up with the pack, and it wasn't very long. Race went around some flat stuff, then over a couple barriers, then down this rocky dirt path (which scared the crap out of me with a ton of other riders and dust everywhere)... then a sharp left here which I almost ate it at (knew it was tricky from the practice run). I came in with speed and barely made the thing, was bouncing all over the place... just hung on. After that part was the rest of the uphill dirt track, this is where I was finally left behind. I still cannot understand why I'm so slow on the bike (in cross or tris)... driving me nuts. During triathlons I see guys that look like they weigh 300 cruising right past me on hills, I don't get it. I think I need to adjust my seat back up a bit... but I don't think that will make any difference.

Anyway, after the practice lap, I estimated that I probably could manage 2 laps in the race. This was a bad idea to think about, because once I did make 2 laps and they said "2 to go", I was already giving up. Cyclocross is fun, but I still worry too much about being in people's way (you know, people who can actually compete). I just called it a day at 2 laps, but I probably could've a and should've finished. Oh well.

After that showing I decided not to do the race on sunday morning. I am still a bit congested from this cold, so I wasn't really comfortable doing the first one anyway. So, now coming up this weekend I have my last triathlon of the year, then more 'cross races down in phoenix, 14th and 28th I think I will do, maybe not the night race on the 7th.

Lake Powell Olympic Triathlon

So, I finished, but wasn't that happy with the result... I felt slow.

First off, the people who run this race should make the timing of things much more clear. Since it takes place in Arizona and Utah, they should list all the important times in both time zones. I just barely made it to the water in time for the start because I thought I had a whole extra hour. I literally stepped in to the lake as the guy was counting down from 10... then I had to swim through a bunch of later starters on my way out... considering that, I was pretty happy with the swim, at least with the first lap. I did not make it to the pre-race meetings, and wasn't sure if there were 2 laps or one, but I should've known there were two. First lap I felt really good, and was getting a good rhythm, but then I had to watch people to see if there was one lap or two... seeing them turn as we got back to the beach was a little disappointing. I managed the second lap, but I think it was considerably slower than the first. All in all though, a 40 minute time is about what I was expecting (especially if that is counting the time running up the boat launch).

So then on to the bike. In transition I forgot to put on my gps watch, I was not happy about that either. I've removed my bike computer because the watch is just as good (better really for 2 events), so now I had no idea of distance/pace/etc. Not the end of the world as I just went as hard as I felt I could, but still nice to keep track of. The nasty hill was as brutal as last year, and then just as bad the second time around... but on the plus side, the fun downhill was just as fun. My time on the bike overall was not too far off where I thought I would be, I thought I should break 1:30, but oh well.

So then on to the run. I think I drank a bit more gatorade and had some banana in transition (maybe the banana was in T1)... then I took off. Now I had remembered to put on my watch, but as always it was taking a long time to acquire the satellites. So I was fidgeting with it for a while. That first bit of the run I felt pretty strong (not knowing my pace), I didn't have to walk for quite a while. But once I started walking here and there it seemed like I deteriorated. I would start up jogging but just peter out quickly. I couldn't get a good pattern going even (e.g. run a minute, walk a minute). I was very thirsty when I arrived at the first water station, and very disheartened to find there were no cups... that again took a lot of wind out of my sails. Managed to continue, luckily the other water station had cups, and they both did on my way back too. I just struggled the whole way, walking quite a lot and just sorta angry. I need to look at my output from my watch to see just how bad it was, the time was not too far off, so maybe it just felt worse than it was.

Anyway, not bad overall, but I was exhausted and sore after (both hip flexors were killing me on the run, as well as my back and neck... definitely need to spend a lot of time in the weight room this winter). After the race, we spent the rest of the weekend in southern Utah, going to Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks (among others). Those were both beautiful, and I want to go back sometime to do some hiking (when not all broken down, sick, and with a 5 year old).

10.5 - 10.11 Schedule

mon - strength
did this at lunchtime
tue - swim :45 run :30
swam for 30 minutes, and then ran for 15
wed - bike 1:00
thu - run :45
fri - off
sat - swim 1:00 bike 1:00
sun - brick b 1:00, r :30