Apparently racing in Mexico agrees with
me. IM 70.3 Los Cabos first hit my radar screen in the early summer months as
an option for racing a late-season 70.3 distance race. The event became more
prominent when my strong interest in racing 70.3 Austin was thwarted due to an
unchangeable work commitment the same weekend. As I contemplated my races and
destinations, the notion of racing in Mexico for the second time this year and
fourth time ever sounded good and won me over. What a great decision it was!
Did I happen to mention I love Mexico! Having visited Mexico many times over the
years, there is an allure and charm that keeps taking me back south of the
border. The simple culture, laid-back lifestyle, and friendly people amidst the
blue Pacific waters make for a perfect resort style “roughing it” adventure. I
found the town of San Jose del Cabo to be a nice change of pace from the hustle
and bustle of Cabo San Lucas which I had experienced during previous trips to
the Baja California Sur area.
Speaking of adventures…racing in Mexico
certainly is one and an experience all unto itself. Throw in the fact that it’s
a tough course with very hot and humid conditions and you’ve got the makings
for an early Day of the Dead. Well, hopefully not that kind of day of the dead.
What I’m referring to is an observed Mexican holiday called “Day of the Dead” on
Oct. 31st (our Halloween) to remember and honor friends
and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Umm…from
what I can recall every 70.3 and full Ironman distance race I’ve done turns
into a spiritual journey at some point so in sorts, yes, Day of the Dead. Wonder
what kind of spiritual journey Los Cabos has in mind?!?
I arrived in San Jose del Cabo a few days before
race day to acclimate and familiarize myself with the surroundings. I got there
about the same time Hurricane Patricia announced herself further south of the
Baja Peninsula making its way towards mainland Mexico. Ut-oh! Anytime a
Category 5 hurricane is in the vicinity it is clearly reason for concern, but
fortunately Patricia tracked far enough south that she was a non-issue for the
race.
It was a treat to get in a couple
open-water practice swims right from the race swim start at Palmilla Beach. The
beautiful water was a balmy 82-degrees so the race was declared non-wetsuit. Prepared
with my Blue Seventy PZ3TX Skinsuit, I was glad it was non-wetsuit and couldn’t
wait to see what my swim had in store for me. I’d spent a lot of recent swim training
focused on correcting bad stroke habits, becoming more streamlined and
increasing buoyancy. Onto to race day and let’s see!!
The swim featured a rolling start where
you enter the water according to your predicted swim finish time. Theoretically
it’s a good idea as long as everyone is positioned at least relatively close to
their ability. But in reality there are slow swimmers who get in the water
first and fast swimmers who get in last so still plenty of contact as you attempt
to maneuver around slower swimmers while the faster ones swim over your back.
Despite plenty of swell to take in a few mouthfuls of super-salty Mexican seawater
and hinder sighting, I had a great swim coming out of the water 7th
in my AG in a time of 38:47.
Making my way up Palmilla Beach to T1,
the cheers of the crowd were exhilarating. As I exited transition I saw and
heard Amy VT (Coach Bagg's wife) giving me an extra boost as I mounted my bike. Although I had
been experiencing some nausea before the race which continued off and on
throughout, I was feeling good at this point and stoked to ride.
The bike course at Los Cabos is
challenging with over 2000 feet of elevation gain at an average incline of
6.6%. My race plan called for moderate to just below threshold power output (185-190w)
throughout the ride. Keep it cool on the big early rollers to save my legs when
I get to the hills on the latter part of the course, but more importantly, on
the hills at the end of the ride so my legs aren’t trashed on the run. Very cognizant
of this, I forced myself to back off several times, yet I still exceeded my
prescribed average power output at 209 watts. This would come back to haunt me
on the run. Two miscues were costly; 1) at mile 15 I dropped my chain; and 2) less
than a mile from T2 I was directed by a volunteer to make a turn when I should
have gone straight, by the time I could turnaround it added an extra 3-4 miles
on the bike. Despite the miscues I came off the bike in 4th place in
my AG in a time of 2:49, moving up 3 spots.
Encouraged to see most of the run bags
still hanging up as I made my way through T2 I entered the changing tent
uncertain what to expect on the 13.1 mile run through the streets of San Jose.
Only one way to find out! As I exited the changing tent the run course was hauntingly clear -- stay focused and get after it, but it was at this point that the
handle on the heat and humidity lever took its first big turn. My goal for the
first mile is to keep my HR the same as my average HR on the bike which
was 140 bpm. Well, this would be an issue since it was already above that I
hadn’t run more than a couple hundred meters. I backed off the pace but my HR
continues to climb. Clearly I am about to be consumed with controlling my HR in
these stifling hot conditions. The ensuing 12-miles became a game of give and
take as my mantra became “take what you can get”. I watched my per mile pace
drop from 7:10; 7:13; 7:55; 7:59 and 8:14 respectively over miles
1-5, then range from 8:46 to 9:20 except for a dark 9:50 mile-11 when more nausea
forced me to seek shade. Thankfully, seeing VT and a couple of other familiar faces during the run was
encouraging. Gritting it out I ran down two spots to 2nd
place in my AG in a time of 1:51.
I’m thrilled
to make my first IM race podium with a 2nd place age-group finish in
a time of 5:24. Not close to a PR but on this course in that heat I am very
happy. In Mexico, Ironman holds their awards celebration and Worlds slot allocation
on Monday night. Since I had to leave on Monday, I was unable to claim my 2016
Worlds slot or accept my award in person. I’m stoked to create my next
opportunity to accept both.
Many thanks to coach Chris Bagg who again had me focused and ready to race, the
Timex Factory Team, and team sponsors Scratch Labs, Blue Seventy, SKINS, Castelli
and Bonk Breakers.
Thanks for reading…and sorry, obviously no Writer’s Block on
this one!!
