2-mile run, 15-mile bike, 2-mile run advertised distances.
_”D” race
This was the annual multi-sport race I trained through. It fitted nicely between Dallas Marathon and Rock n Roll Half. My house and Texas Motor Speedway were 37 miles apart. As an efficiency freak, I felt obligated to participate in multi-sport races—I already spent the resources on the equipment and know-how.
_goal
1. Crash free.
2. Faster 2nd run than 1st.
3. Fluid transitions. It doesn’t have to be fast--no hesitation, no collision, and no wasted motion.
_physical preparation
I worried about my bike fitness. The last long ride was in Taiwan in September. I rode trainer in front of TV couple times since New Year. I took TT bike out twice to run errands.
The 400m intervals from hidgon’s half marathon program were applicable to 2-mile runs.
The training focus was March’s half marathon. I skipped 1 long run to race this duathlon.
_butterfly effect
Jeff decided to use disinfectant to clean a smelly gym pad one day. It led to a detached hamstring. I experienced a similar decision 10 days before the race. I changed my training route to save a car trip to the UPS drop off box. I ran through an intersection the same time a tall car turned right. Getting hit by a motor vehicle was a surreal moment and a highlight of my life—contact, airborne, landing—everything moved slightly faster than my neurons' reaction.
Time slowed down for the next few seconds. I was afraid to assess the damage. I prepared myself for the image of bones through skin. The driver made effort not to freak out. I lost my joke reflex and ignored her questions. She rejoiced after I checked each joint.
Hospital or not, that’s the question. Like a typical American, I was terrified of the paperwork and uncertainty related to emergency room visit. I chose to risk my well-being.
All injury was on the landing side: road rash, bruised muscle, no broken bone, no head impact. I was amazed I walked away from the metal-flesh impact. I got out of the bed less sore the next day than the accident night. As he popped my sacroiliac joint, the chiropractor informed that my flexibility and core strength had been worthwhile investments.
The impact was 2 nights before Chinese New Year eve. I considered buying an airline ticket to Taiwan.
_pre-race
Packet pick up was at a Marriott near race site, as opposed to the Richardson Bike Mart option available in 2012. I was unhappy about the 70-mile overhead. The organizer informed me the 2012 sponsors were unhappy that 125 racers chose to go RBM and skipped expo. I thought about boycotting the event.
I prepared the neglected TT bike: tightening screws and oiled the chain. I wondered if I could stay on aero bar.
I arrived at race site early enough to get a rack-end spot on bike rack. I mentally went through each step for T1 and T2.
A racer showed up on a Cheetah. The prosthesis reminded me of Oscar Pistorius’ murder charge. It saddened me.
_race
The wave start wasn’t chip timed. Everyone crowded behind the start line. I stayed near front to avoid the congestion. A minute later I was running on Nascar banked track, picking off runners who started too fast.
I was happy with the sub-minute T1.
I rode conservatively the first half mile—not taking chances with spectators, narrow tunnels, and racers who tried to slip into shoes in motion.
_biked like a runner
I settled into rhythm without speed reading. I used no electronic device for this race. History predicted I would end up 18~19 mph. Racers passed me one by one; each provided a brief draft. Biff passed me wearing Texas Flyer skinsuit. I said hi. It’s hard to carry a conversation given the 15-second passing rule. I followed Biff for a few seconds but decided not to risk blowing up. I was uncomfortable in aero position. The seat felt low. I wished I prepared better.
All the sudden bunch fit young people flew by me using fancy wheels. I was out-equipped and out-legged by the collegiate leaders from wave 2. I followed them a bit just to experience the pace. These kids were probably cranking out 300 watts.
I noticed I pedaled at higher cadence than everyone else. A decade ago, the world looked up to Lance’s high turnover. Apparently that’s out of fashion with all the emphasis on strength training. Pendulum swings. In a dozen years my cadence will be cool again.
Physics enforced its rules. I swapped lead with a road bike every time wind direction flips. A 90-lb-looking rider lost spots every time she entered a downhill.
_cramp
Left calf weakened after lap 2. Right calf joined soon after. I tried different gears but couldn’t shift more burdens to quads. I needed a new bike fit. Exertion management became simple at this point given the clear boundary.
During the final bike stretch, what I wanted most in the world was to be accident free. Unclipping and dismount was scary with cramping calf while stuck in traffic jam at the tunnel. I celebrated raising my upright-to-crash ratio to 4:3 for multisport races.
I ran gingerly to my bike parking spot. I fell when trying to put left shoe on and almost knocked bikes off the rack. I half-hopped to the paddock to put on the shoe leaning against concrete wall. My T2 was 29 seconds slower than T1’s 44.
_positive split
Run #2 was surprisingly drama-free. Cramping subsided after I exited the transition. I control my speed during the sharp turns then passed superior cyclists at steady pace. One guy passed me and became my rabbit. My final 100 meters were sub-5:00 pace. I left too much in the tank.
_#’s
Total Finishers: 316
Men: 207 (01:22:00 avg)
Women: 109 (01:33:00 avg)
Run 1: 12:05 => 6:22 pace; rank 78
T1: 0:44
Bike 51:19 => 18.7 mph; rank 121
T2 1:13
Run 2: 12:37 => 6:28 pace; rank 74
