PREPARATION

A few months back my mother, upon hearing I was training for one more triathlon in 2016, sent me a few quotes from some successful coaches to inspire me. The common thread through each of these quotes was summed like this:

 

"everyone has the desire to win, but it is the desire and will to prepare to win that really sets athletes and teams apart."

 

For me the desire to prepare not only meant being diligent in training but researching the competition, learning about wetsuits (this would be the first wetsuit approved race) and studying the race layout. My research on the athletes comprised of looking to see what their USA Triathlon scores were and then looking up the results of previous races to gauge their pace in certain race conditions. In researching the field I felt about two weeks after the event that there were about 5 or so athletes that could go for the age group win. I felt based on my own race pace that I would be in the hunt which only propelled me, even more, to be ready. Days before I left for Key West I noticed that there were some late additions to the field. To my surprise, two of the athletes had scores way above not only my own but above everyone else’s. It was not a discouragement by any means but instead a real opportunity to see my performance against some of these really good competitors. The day before the race I took the opportunity to attend the race orientation put on by the good people of Full Circle Coaching. Afterward, I walked the course from the swim section to the transition area a couple of times just be sure I knew where I would be exiting the water and where the bike would be racked in the transition area. This would end my preparation of roughly 100 days for this race. The only thing left was a good night sleep with a quick wake at 2 AM for food.

 

THE RACE

The race began at 7:00 AM but I would have to wait until 7:55 AM for my wave to be sent out. When the time came the race director signaled us to head into the water for the starting line. As the time drew closer the director began to shout through his megaphone the time remaining until we would start. When he yelled “30 seconds,” I took the moment to raise my right arm and point to the horizon. It was me gesturing as a tribute to our recently deceased horse, Magic. I would need her heart this day as it was going to be a tough race. Anyone who knew Magic knows the heart of which I speak about.

 

“Five, four, three, two, one” the race director yells...I push the button my Garmin 920XT and the race is underway. Me and what seems to be 80 other men sporting orange swim caps begin to swim the half mile course. It seems almost instantly that I feel I am being left behind by the others. About a minute into the swim I take a foot from another athlete to my left eye. I was lucky to not have my goggles kicked off. As I round the first buoy I keep swimming at my pace not trying to get ahead of myself, it is a long race and no one ever wins in the swim, but you can sure lose it if one is not careful. At 400 meters I begin to catch swimmers who were sent out before me and it seems there are not as many orange cap swimmers as there was just five minutes ago. The water is only about eight feet deep and crystal clear. I round the final green buoy and head for the beach. There are just a few orange caps around as my feet plant on the sandy beach. I cross the timing stripe and head for the wetsuit strippers. It is, without a doubt, the wetsuit was a big factor in my time as I was 4th heading to T1 (Transition).

 

I set the second fastest time in T1 which enabled me to leapfrog one position to 3rd place heading out onto the bike course with a 35 second lead over 4th place, but 60 seconds behind the race leader and 25 seconds to 2nd place.

 

The bike which is normally my strong point was affected by a headwind and also from the standpoint of my heart rate which I needed to manage. I learned from my previous race that I had pushed way too hard for my then level of fitness and had nothing for the run. I was overtaken on the bike and dropped one spot to fourth. With the tailwind, I was able to hit a max speed of 28.3 mph but was only able to manage an average speed of 19.2 which is about 1.5 mph slower than my two previous races. By the end of the bike segment, I was over five minutes behind the leader and second place and 45 seconds to the 3rd place.

 

After another quick transition in T2 (4th fastest in the group), I again was able to claw back the time lost on the bike and regain the third spot with a lead of 10 seconds heading out onto the 3.1-mile run. At this point, my heart rate is already beating at 184 beats per minute while averaging north of 170 bpm.

 

At about a quarter mile into the run, I am passed. I see on the runner’s right calf the number 42 which means he is in my group. At this point, I am unaware of where I am at in the race and didn’t recall getting passed by anyone else in my age group until this very moment. I know I can’t win the race right now so I just get in behind him telling myself “just keep him close.” We pass the halfway point and begin the journey back to the finish line. He begins to stretch out his lead over me. I just keep running at the pace I could muster. Then with about a quarter mile left I begin to pick up my pace. I have one shot at this...one burst of speed. I see I am beginning to catch him. We approach the final left-hand turn and it is now that I make my move. I run as hard as I can as I dive down the inside of him and sprint to the finish which seemed to be about 20-30 feet from after the turn. We are both pushing as hard as we can. According to my Garmin watch, I peak at a pace of 4:36 minutes per mile or roughly 13 mph with a heart rate of 200 beats per minute. I cross the finish line a razor-thin .57 seconds ahead. Afterward, as we are both dying for air Aaron embraces me with a hug of sportsmanship. It was a great day and a great race. Honestly, I thought I had taken first until I saw that I was timing results. I was shocked at how much time there was between myself and the front-runners. They were just in another league today. The battle between them was just as fantastic until Chad blew us all away with his impressive run.

 

THANK YOU

This race for me almost did not happen due the cost to participate and a foot injury, but thanks to my wife Shanna for her continued faith to get on that starting line, my parents, Jay and Alicia Weaver for putting up for the night, Clark Barton for watching the farm and the encouragement from a lot of loved ones and friends. Luckily the stars aligned. Key West was just an amazing experience and journey. From the beautiful and scenic drive of Key West to the help of the doctor and physical therapist at Adler Podiatry Clinic and CORA Rehabilitation Riverside, from the great people at Endurance House Jax for the wetsuit to the time in pool, on the bike, and on the pavement, it all made for an outstanding journey.

Lastly, a #ThankU to our wonderful now deceased horse, Magic. Thank you for showing me what it means to have heart and to push through even when you are tired. We miss your majestic presence and your want-to-go, pawing at the ground attitude every day.

 

Jay Gardner

#ThankU #GardnerSport #KeyWestTri #Triathlon

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Photo Credit: Fixed Focus Photography