Sunday’s race marked my first competition in an ocean swim, we were at Venice Beach what a place, great view and I assume Woodstock was a lot like this place. It was a bit different than swimming in a pool, but I managed to put together, a breakthrough mile. I watched the pros head out into the water and dive trough the wave, minutes before the elite wave started so I tried to replicate their approach. About half-way through the swim I noticed I was among the main pack, and a bit less than a couple minutes behind the strongest swimmers. It felt great, and knowing that I was ahead of where I usually stand at that point in the race I was confident in being able to chase down those in the lead. I came out around 13th of 32 and headed to my bike. The bike course was relatively flat until about the 25k point when the hills came. I took advantage of my leg strength and climbing where I chased several competitors down in the hills. I was keeping a close eye at the turn-around point on those in front and knew I would have no problem once the run started. Off the bike and into the T2 area I was right with 2 other guys. The run began and I separated myself from the others. I ran comfortably and knew for sure after 5k that I’d pull off the win. The run course was no joke, a huge hill at mile one and mile four, the downhill hurt more than the uphill, I hate running downhill. This was a good day not great, but I hate losing more than I enjoy winning so I will take a win any day. Ended up winning by over a min. The finish was at L.A. Live and some friends from Knoxville who live in Cali where at the race, Lauren who swam for Pilot and Blake Goodfellow and his kids where there at the finish which was so much fun. It was a great experience and I felt good about the race and now on to race Malibu Tri this weekend before US Nationals in Portland, Oregon on the 20th. I learned a lot from the swim and am just waiting for a huge break through. This race qualified me for a race in Dallas on Oct 5 a very high profile and prestigious race so looks like I will wait till next season to do my first 70.3. Also looks like I may have picked up a apparel sponsor with Team Kiwami who sponsors some of the best Laura and Greg Bennett. Well till next week, Dream!!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
City of Angels!!!!!
Sunday’s race marked my first competition in an ocean swim, we were at Venice Beach what a place, great view and I assume Woodstock was a lot like this place. It was a bit different than swimming in a pool, but I managed to put together, a breakthrough mile. I watched the pros head out into the water and dive trough the wave, minutes before the elite wave started so I tried to replicate their approach. About half-way through the swim I noticed I was among the main pack, and a bit less than a couple minutes behind the strongest swimmers. It felt great, and knowing that I was ahead of where I usually stand at that point in the race I was confident in being able to chase down those in the lead. I came out around 13th of 32 and headed to my bike. The bike course was relatively flat until about the 25k point when the hills came. I took advantage of my leg strength and climbing where I chased several competitors down in the hills. I was keeping a close eye at the turn-around point on those in front and knew I would have no problem once the run started. Off the bike and into the T2 area I was right with 2 other guys. The run began and I separated myself from the others. I ran comfortably and knew for sure after 5k that I’d pull off the win. The run course was no joke, a huge hill at mile one and mile four, the downhill hurt more than the uphill, I hate running downhill. This was a good day not great, but I hate losing more than I enjoy winning so I will take a win any day. Ended up winning by over a min. The finish was at L.A. Live and some friends from Knoxville who live in Cali where at the race, Lauren who swam for Pilot and Blake Goodfellow and his kids where there at the finish which was so much fun. It was a great experience and I felt good about the race and now on to race Malibu Tri this weekend before US Nationals in Portland, Oregon on the 20th. I learned a lot from the swim and am just waiting for a huge break through. This race qualified me for a race in Dallas on Oct 5 a very high profile and prestigious race so looks like I will wait till next season to do my first 70.3. Also looks like I may have picked up a apparel sponsor with Team Kiwami who sponsors some of the best Laura and Greg Bennett. Well till next week, Dream!!
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3 comments:
Awesome Eric!!! I love your race report!! Good luck in FL!!!
Rach
Hey Eric I did the LA tri too. Congrats on the win man what an accomplishment! I will be heading up to Portland to compete with you in the 25-29 age group but I know I will finish well behind you in time. But good luck man, you give me a lot of inspiration as I only started triathlon in July and you are one of the big guns in my age group to look up to. Keep doing what you do and grinding it out there and congrats on the kiwami sponsorship, that's awesome. See you in P town!
Hey bro, I just googled my name and your blog came up. Never saw the shout outs. Love it, love you!
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