Elephantman

There are a few things I would like to say before I get started here. First of all, none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for my awesome Race Club teammates. They basically did everything for me. They drove me, fed me, housed me (well it was camping, but still), entertained me, and even provide me with a NMSU uniform to race in. Bottom line, RACE CLUB ROCKS! Second, I had not been training much nor was I in very good shape what so ever. I had swum maybe 5 times since late July and had run even less. Let’s just say I was scared for the swim and run. Finally, I had made a big change to my TT bike. Having a long torso and being constantly disappointed with my bike leg, I decided to set up my seat like its set on my road bike. In order to do that I had to move the seat back, not a little bit, not some, but all the way back. This is like a 1.5 inch change! Plus I tilted the nose up on my seat so I’m not sliding off of the saddle. I really think it made a huge difference and I'll explain why in a little bit.

Racing for NMSU was a pretty cool deal. It allowed me to start in the first wave and race for a cause but like I said earlier I was not ready for the swim. I decided to just leave my wetsuit at home because I figured what’s the point of wrestling it on and off if you are still slow. Also the water was pretty warm too. The announcer said it was in the mid 70’s but it felt warmer to me, even though I was still shivering at the beginning. I was completely chill and calm before the start, no nerves firing or butterflies in the tummy, just ready to have some fun. So off we go.

I started at the back because I really didn’t care. Everyone immediately closed in around me and started pushing me towards the middle. With all the pushing and adjusting I didn’t get pummeled too much, probably because our wave was on the small side. After everyone settled down and found their rhythm the swim went pretty smooth. The conditions were calm and the orange buoys were easy to spot. For a little while I was actually swimming next to Brianne, who is fantastic swimmer, so that made me feel pretty good. After a while I she must have turned on the jets because I never saw her again. Overall the swim was very relaxing for me. I got out feeling quite fresh and was not winded at all despite swimming very, very little. Swim time was 28:08 for 1500m.

Now I was excited. It was time for the bike. I think this was the first time ever; I was excited for the bike. Leaving T1 I tried to keep my efforts conservative until I felt fairly warmed up. Despite staying conservative I started flying by my fellow competitors like they were lane lines on the Autobahn. I thought, “Hmmmm… this is most peculiar. I hope I’m not going too hard or something.” Then around mile 6 I passed a dude on a hill, still in reserve mode. At the top there was a Suburban with its emergency flashers going. It was traveling at the same speed I was and it was getting kind of annoying. I’m like, “Get out of the way or go faster or let me pass.” Then I realized it was the lead vehicle. Huh?!? This is only mile 6 or so and I’m leading the bike segment? I’m not supposed to be a fast biker; at least I have not proven it. At this point I was feeling fairly warmed up and decided to go for it. Since the only training I had been doing was just riding my bike around I was going to try and squeeze everything I could out of this bike leg.

I blasted up the hills putting myself deep into the red zone. I continued this momentum over the top digging my calves into the petals and popping my leg back over with my hamstrings and hip flexor. I have been experimenting with my pedaling action on some of my rides and I seem to feel stronger longer using all my muscles except my quads. Yeah, I know, weird, but I think it works. Anyway now that I was leading I really wanted to ride out of sight by the end of the bike since I knew my run was going to be ugly. Surprisingly I accomplished this by around mile 10 or so. I finished up my water and picked up a little extra around 20 miles. I didn’t take any GU or Gatorade, just water. Coming into transition all of the NMSU spectators went crazy. It was so cool. They were just amazing! I can’t thank them enough for all of their support. Being first off the bike was an experience to remember. Something I thought would never happen. Bike time was 1:08:39 for 27 miles. It was a great high point in my race but now things were about to get ugly just like I knew they would.

Getting off the bike I was so completely trashed. As I put my shoes on and began shuffling out of transition I started having major doubts about what lay before me. I had not just some run training in me, I had not even a little bit, I had zip, nil, nata, run training in my system. So let the fun begin.

I ran about 400 meters and went behind some bushes out of sight from the spectators. I didn’t feel very good at all. My guts hurt and I felt heavy. I stopped to stretch and touch my toes. BLLLLEEEEEEGGGGGHHHH!!! Out came some pressure from my stomach. I felt a little better; I really should keep running (shuffling) on I thought. Oh no here it comes again, BLLLLLLEEEEEEGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!! I had to stop. At this point I thought there is no way I am going to run 6 miles like this. I have to drop out or walk. I feel just too gone. Luckily I am getting pretty good at these mental battles and I decided I could continue on even if it was a slow shuffle. After a while the dirt road gave way to pavement. I felt a little better and was able to do a little more running and a little less shuffling. I kept thinking short smooth strides. Around 2.5 miles I was still pretty full of water and another wave of up-chucky-ness hit me. BLLEEGGHH! Not so much this time. I was also expecting to see someone any minute closing in on me fast but I never did. At the turn around the second place dude was probably still three minutes back, and he was moving. Double huh?!? My lead off the bike wasn’t that big was it?

The last three miles there were only two things going through my mind, “Yes you can and no you can’t”. One minute I was confident I could take it all the way, then in a flash, I was ready to walk and settle for just a finish. As I came up on the finish I heard the music and saw my NMSU friends. Jill and Dez were at the bottom of the last hill and pretty much went nuts. Still, any moment I was sure someone would pass me but I made it to the line in time for my first win. A wave of nausea hit me like a brick wall when I finally stopped but luckily I was able to maintain my composure and not blow chunks all over the volunteers. Not that there was anything left in there anyway. My run time was 38:58 and fifth fastest overall. Not only had I held everyone off but I maintained my lead. I loved T-Rides expression upon hearing this, “Yeah, I’m pretty disgusted with you.” Although I must also give T-Ride the credit for having the fastest run of the day by whole minute and stating afterward, “Me, I run fast.” Haha, priceless.

However, there is a little twist to the race here. Although I was first over the line and won the college division I was forth overall, but surprisingly by only 3 minutes. Pretty cool. I was happy. Unfortunately this looks like it will be my last race for a while. School is getting rolling and although I would love to train my ass off and get out there and mix it up I will concentrate on my studies. It will be hard but the right thing to do I think. Thanks everyone for your incredible support.

Adam