Going into Clermont we knew I wasn't quite "race ready," but sort of like how the Huskers always schedule teams like Deer-Turd State Dental College the first week of the season, we knew I needed a tune-up. I have been training really solid (hence the hiatus from blogging... sorry!) and I wanted to use Clermont as a learning experience to get my feet wet in the ITU draft-legal style of pro racing.
The moments leading up to the race are a bit hazy as always. I can tell you that we walked out in a line to the start line that was about waist-deep in the lake, and other than that all I remember is the mass panic after the horn sounded (or was it a gun? I don't know, a loud noise of sorts...)
Now, non-drafting racing is like trench warfare, and there are hints of civil war, gentlemanly manners. You know your trenches have been dug for the bike in the past months, because "Them rebs a'comin" and there is almost an attitude of "go ahead, lets see what you can do."
Draft-legal racing however is like a bar fight. I got punched, dunked, kicked, and jumped on. I had people pulling on my ankles, and grabbing at my arms. Having 60 guys who are faster, as fast, or maybe slightly slower than me in the water was.... well, frankly, weird for me. At the swim exit, we had to run through knee-deep water for about 50 meters, and I lost the front group here. The portion we had actually swum I was in the lead group, but I lost them here, a matter of 10 seconds.
My co-worker and friend Brandon was giving me shit just the other day about being a couple minutes late. He said something like 2 minutes isn't a big deal here, but in a race 2 seconds can be a big deal. This thought was burning in my head as I hopped on the bike and pedaled like a madman, essentially time-trialing trying to catch the lead pack.
Really, this was the race for me. I eventually realized my effort was futile (a well-managed pack will NEVER be caught by a single rider) and I let up to let a smaller group catch me that I could work with. I and a couple other guys did most of the work in this pack, but I was here to race so I was not about to let some pinche cabrón from Mexico take my position at the front.
I cooked most of "my" pack in transition, and was reeling some stragglers in on the run (I split about an 18 flat off the bike, which is solid for a fish!) but I just ran out of real-estate. I knew with about 400 meters left that I had been too conservative.
I wound up placing about in the middle. Remember this day, this will be the last time ever that I am relatively happy with 34th place, simply because I learned so much.... like don't be 2 minutes late for work.... or 2 seconds late on the swim exit.
All racing aside, Anna and I had a great vacay down in Florida. Since Clermont, on the classy scale from 1 to Myrtle beach, is about an 11, we spent most of our time in Sarasota where I met up with Caitlin who I swam with in college. Ahhhh, I love hot, humid weather about as much as I love the mountains....
Transition area... Yes, we had no ITU boxes, so it didn't matter where I put my stuff!
Lake Louisa the night before the race... watch out for gators?? Are you kidding me?? Where I'm from, we're more worried about getting ice off the ponds!
Nosh session with Anna from a place called Munchies 420... Yes, it is run by a bunch of stoners... what gave it away? The name, or the mac n' cheese, chicken strips, mozzarella sticks, and onion rings on my burger? Not that this looks all that good, but it wasn't as good as it looks!
Sick rental vehicle! It acted as a safe haven for Anna and I from our dingy hotel room, and my pre-race nerves. I miss that jeep! No keys, push to start! #WizKhalifa
Finally, my nice dinner for the trip. At Tommy Bahama's in Sarasota (St. Armand's circle is awesome, I would go back to that area for sure!) where I had crab-stuffed-shrimp with mashed potatoes and a nutty, curry-like sauce. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, the crab stuffing was everything I liked about a crab cake, the mashed potatoes reminded me of Thanksgiving at Nana's house, and the sauce tied it all together. 9 out of 10!
Well, this sums up my recent adventures in Florida. Now we know what we need to work on before Mazatlán (April 21st) and I am already up to my eyeballs in training! Wish me luck, I'll do a better job of keeping you posted, and most of all FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!!
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