White Lake Half 2008 Race Report

Official Results: 4:41:49, 17th overall out of ~900, 1st M30-34 out of 68

Pre race stuff: This was a big trip for the DeWire's, seeing as it was my daughter's first trip of more than 20 miles from the house, and her first night in a hotel, not to mention one of my biggest races of the year. I took Friday off work to pack, mostly Elena's stuff. There's no question she had more accessories and luggage than I did. Once we got my packet and checked into Langston's, a lovely resort to say the least (those who know are rolling on the floor laughing), we had an appearance of what can best be described as the "White Lake Monster" (similar to the Loch Ness Monster in that she roars loudly, is terrifying, and only seldom appears, but dissimilar in that she's human and only 10 pounds). We decided it was best that I go to the pasta dinner alone for fear of another appearance. Hmmm...this did not bode well for my night's sleep.

Miraculously, the White Lake Monster was not seen again on this trip, and I had a great night's rest and woke up at 4:30AM ready to race. Here I am just before pulling on my wetsuit for the start. Like the new Sportsplex Tri Club uni's? Sweet, eh?



The Swim: 35:56, 116th OA, 20th in division
Not much to report here. I am still weak at swimming, there's just no getting around it. I continue to give up time to my competitors in chunks of about 5 minutes at this distance. Its perplexing, because I am about 10 seconds faster per 100y this year over last year, and I was over a minute slower. There was a rumor circulating that the course was 3-4 minutes too long, so maybe that's the difference. But in any case, it didn't stop 19 guys in my age group from whipping me, so I'm going to stop being so lazy and start swimming twice a week. I think the warm weather is going to help since I can start swimming open water soon.

The Bike: 2:25:34, 23.1mph, 19th OA, 2nd in division
First, T1. My danged wetsuit is still hard as ever to get out of, but I did it standing up this time. It wasn't pretty, or fast, but I did it without my ass hitting the dirt, so there's an improvement. Also, another first was running barefoot and leaping on my bike with the shoes already in the pedals. I did this like an old pro, thanks to some rubber bands.

Once on the bike, I remembered I heard somebody yell to a guy next to me "16th out of the water." Wow, a lot further back than I had anticipated being (in reality it was 20th), but whatever, it's time to get to work. I rode hard right from the start, and within 5 miles had gotten back about 8-10 AG spots. About this time, I found myself trading off passes with the same 3 guys over and over again. No matter how I surged I couldn't shake them off my wheel. So, after several tries to escape at 26mph for a few minutes, I resigned myself to line up and sit at 10 meters. 2 of the others (both in my AG) played nicely and kept their distance legal, but one guy was wheel sucking the whole time. I later learned he received 3 drafting penalties and was DQ'ed.

Eventually the group broke apart as people sorted out by ability. Even though I let a AG guy go, I kept the pressure on the whole time, and was able to pass a bunch more guys for the rest of the ride, too many to keep straight in my head given the amount of blood that was reaching my brain. I knew I was back in the hunt but wasn't sure where (I knew at least 2nd since a guy got away from me). The only problem I encountered on the course was that the water bottle handoffs were not there. I had planned on taking a bottle at 40 miles, and when it wasn't available I had to tough it out with nothing to drink the last 15 miles. Coming into the 50 mile range I really began to worry about the run. I have been running so well off my bike lately in training, easily putting down 6:20 miles, but I never felt like this before it.

The Run: 1:37:13 (7:25), 27th OA, 2nd in division
If there was one place in this race I really could have done more, it was the run. I had planned on running 6:51 pace right out of T2, and really thought that was being conservative. I had put a 1:30 in my pre-race prediction, but really I was thinking 1:28 might be more like it. Well, none of that happened, and the only things I can blame are the heat and my legs, which were bashed after that bike ride. Coach Becca is already figuring out what to do for this, never fear. Regardless of why, when I went to turn on what is usually my "bread and butter", there was nobody home. I loped through the first lap, and passed the guy who got away on the bike about mile 4. The heat was really getting bad, and I knew the second lap was not going to be fun. I tried to get in as much water and e-caps as possible until my stomach began hurting.

When I saw Becca at the turn around, I said "I'm running too slow. I just don't have it today." Then she said "I think you're doing A LOT better than you think!" That was helpful, since I was mentally falling apart. I knew she was right, I knew from reading people's legs that I was in first, but I just didn't think I could hold it. She even got Elena out and waved her arm at me as I ran past the second time. That kept me positive for a few miles.



At 7 miles a guy with 31 on his leg ripped by me. I had to ask him "first lap or second?" When he told me it was his second, I knew the AG win was gone (I learned after the race that he was an elite I had passed on the bike, he was just passing me back). At the last turnaround, I calculated I had about 1 minute over the next closest guy, probably not enough to hold on for second. Around 3 to go, the wheels really started to come off. I was no longer passing by all the people on their first lap, but was satisfied to run behind them at their pace. I had goosebumps all over and was really starting to feel cold on my arms. By 12 I honestly wasn't sure I was going to finish, as my left arm bgan to cramp up from my fingertips to my neck. Some how I found myself making the final left turn with wide open daylight behind me, and I pushed whatever I had on to the finish. The volunteers grabbed me as I slumped over and started hauling me off to the med tent. I said I was fine, but they knew better, and said they wouldn't let me go until somebody came to get me. Becca was there in a flash to help me down to the water, where I laid for about 10 minutes to cool off, rehydrate, and catch my breath.



I've honestly never felt that bad in any race ever before. It was pure misery from about 2 miles into the run to the finish. Other halfs and even the full ironman were a lot of fun. I just think I got too close to the red line this time, and flirted with nutritional disaster. So, lots to learn from this race, and that's what its all about.

After about 20 minutes, a bottle of gatorade, and a bag of Cheetos, just look at me, I look fantastic!



I got the good news when they posted the results and I saw I got the win. I brought Elena on the podium with me. I think she thought it was really something to see all those poeple looking at her. The prize was a panoramic 3 foot long picture of White Lake emblazoned with "1st place Men 30-34" on the bottom. Its hanging in my garage with my bikes.



So, in the end, even though I was way off my secret prediction of 4:33, I was happy with the result. I was surely disappointed in my run, but I am rationalizing it had something to do with the heat (not just me) since it was good enough for the second best run split out of 68 guys.

I also tried out lots of new gear in this race, so look for upcoming gear reviews on my Sidi T2.6 carbon shoes, Profile Design Carbon X 1.5 aerobars, Rudy Project Syton Supercomp helmet, and my Adamo saddle.

As a side note, lots of poeple from my club had great races on Saturday and Sunday. Congrats to all!