I’ve written so many race reports in the past that I’ll avoid the typical “This is how I swam, this is how I biked, this is how I ran, it was hard but I went fast, etc..). Instead, I’ll mention a few things I learned from the experience, especially considering it’s been 5 years since I raced a full 70.3 and although the scene hasn’t changed much, I certainly have.
Resetting expectations
I’ve raced over a dozen 70.3’s in the last decade (almost every one between 4:25 and 4:35), however since Covid I’ve taken quite a break including years off of running and the addition of 20lbs so although the race may have felt familiar in some ways it was very foreign in others, mostly knowing how to execute a run with no real idea of appropriate pacing in this new 40 year old body. Prior to the race (this summer) I had never really ran a sub-8 min mile, so while previous 70.3’s had me running 6min miles off the bike I was unsure if 8’s were even possible. The morning prior my shake out of 10min/mile felt terrible and even more off-putting was the sensation of running after a hard 56 mile bike. But, to my surprise things just ‘clicked’ and I felt like my old self once out on the course, cruising 7:40’s for the most part. The sensation of running smooth was priceless!
The mind doesn’t forget and age isn’t just a number but it’s not everything
Technology and Upgrades
For my 40th birthday present to myself I’ve updated all my race gear and was finally able to put my new Speed Concept to the test (for those who’ve asked if they should get one recently the answer will always be YES!!). Same wheels as last Santa Cruz but with the new bike alone (all other gear the same and about the same weight) I was able to cruse a very similar speed with 30 watts less effort (last year: 280NP/23.1mph, this year:247NP/22.7mph). This is very encouraging for Ironman California ahead where I want to maximize every watt on a pancake flat course.
Get the bike, you only live once!
Looking Forward
Everything has been about Ironman California this year. Building fitness in time but not overdoing it, committing to the outcome while trying to maintain a level of balance, and striving for something scary enough to not know whether it’s achievable, not just a PR but the elusive sub-10. As weight drops, speed increases and love builds for this sport again I keep looking at the numbers and getting excited, thinking “maybe it’s possible!”.
Things get exciting when Probable > Possible, but plenty to go!
Only 6 weeks left (4 more BIG weekends). Time to sleep, eat well and keep focusing on the details. So many things can go wrong – injury, politics, global warming, work, etc but if everything goes right then anything is possible. I’m framing this up as my potential last chance at a successful Ironman after so many struggles and am hopeful that I’ll have my day but thankful at least for the opportunity to find out.
David Welby 