Things don't always go like you prepared for...Rev3 Knoxville Race Report

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Knoxville, TN to race in the Rev3 Olympic distance event. I was really quite excited to race with my other teammates, as well as test myself in this short course distance (1.5K swim/40K bike/ 10K run). For the most part, the few years I have been focused on the longer races--1.2mile swim/56mile bike/13.1mile run & 2.4mile swim/112mile bike/26.2mile run, and thought this would be a good opportunity to just go hard!

I'll post more about the event and hanging with the team in a couple of days, but here is how the race went for me:

My bike was racked the day before, so there really wasn't much to do in transition race morning, except add my race nutrition (bottle of EFS with 1/2 serving of PreRace), check tire pressure and lay out anything else I'll be needing for the race (running shoes, race number, clip in cycling shoes, helmet, etc.).

SWIM--.9miles
After transition was all set, my wife, her parents and I walked down to the swim start. I lubed up with TRISLIDE (which not only prevents chaffing, but makes it easier to put the wetsuit on!) and pulled up my TYR Hurricane Category 5 wetsuit. This was my first race in the new wetsuit, and I've often wondered if the more expensive suits really make a difference??? Well, they do! So much more freedom in the arm and shoulder areas, great fit, etc. I started in the front and went hard to the first turn buoy, then found some feet to jump on. I quickly found that I had caught up to some of the 1/2 Rev swimmers who started a few minutes earlier (1.2mile swim) and was navigating through them. The .9mile (1.5K) swim was pretty uneventful and I felt pretty good coming out of the water.T1
The transition was just across the street from where we came out of the water, so it was nice not to have to run 200 yards or so, like in some races. I heard a few shout-outs from friends and family as I got ready to head onto the bike.

BIKE--24.8milesThis course is known to be hilly, and it didn't disappoint! Within the first couple of miles or so, there were short little power climbs. At about mile 3, I was descending, and heard a loud "BOOM!!!" I had been focused on the road up ahead, and didn't see the huge pot hole. I thought I had broke my wheel, and slowed to assess the damage. After a quick inspection while still moving forward (wanted to make sure my wheels/bike was okay) I noticed my nutrition bottle had ejected out of the bottle cage on the down tube! CRAP!!!!! This was the fuel that I was counting on for the race....plus the stuff on the course I knew wouldn't sit well in my gut. Oh, well, nothing I could do about it now, and I wasn't about to turn around and look from the damn bottle and lose precious time.

I told myself not to worry about it, and just race hard (and be thankful your Kestrel 4000 didn't break). I made it through the first couple of climbs pretty well (for me--I'm not the best climber) and was really glad I had a 11-25 cassette!! I picked up a bottle at the aid station (about mile 12 or so) and knew that I needed to get some calories in me....I was a little concerned that it might not agree with my stomach, but thought "Okay...you can shit yourself, make it to the port-a-poty, or have a really horrible race because you bonk!" I elected to use the bathroom if needed--I wasn't about to bonk and didn't think shitting myself would be much fun either.

I made it back in to T2 and was ready to run.

T2
Bike in, helmet off, running shoes on, grab number belt, visor....and away I went.

RUN--6.2miles
Running has been an Achilles heal for me. I came in off the bike in a real good position, and tried to hang with the pack in front of me. Needless to say, I popped and drastically slowed down. The run course had some gentle/gradual hills, but was mostly flat. I became increasingly frustrated as my heart rate was where I wanted it to be, but the speed wasn't there. Very frustrated as my great race started to unravel right before me as I was passed, passed, and passed again. At mile 4.5 or so, Carole Sharpless was out there cheering people on, and seeing her put a smile on my face! She's the "team mom" who totally takes care of us and is crazy funny!! For a brief moment, I thought about those who can not race anymore due to injury and this put everything in perspective. "Ryan", I said to myself, "You are out here doing what you love....enjoy the moment 'cause you never know when it may be taken from you."From there, I just let the frustration go and enjoyed my run into the finish line, where friends, families, fellow athletes, teammates, and others had gathered to cheer on our accomplishments for the day.Not the best race (result) I've had, but I am happy to be able to do what I love.

Times:

Swim--25:07
T1--1:29
Bike--1:11:26
Run--47:41
Total--2:26:35


Next race....Coeur d' Alene June 26!