CRASH B's 55-59LWT Race Report

[Edward4492]

I'll leave a full report in the capable hands of Rick Bayko, but I will drop a few comments on two races I saw up close. First Armando had a dynamic race against the open HWTs. Armando is a total specimen to be sure, and he gutted out a PR 6:17 just plowing through people in the final 300m. In cycling we call that "riding them off your wheel". Excellent piece! And in a brutal 30 HWT event Ross Love pulled a 5:59.6 missing the hammer by one agonizing tenth of a second! There was some discussion after the event as there was a sub 6 guy from the bullpen, but I think Ross stuck the Silver. As a side note Ross and Armando are both great guys, ferocious and gracious competitors. Another side note, I've had the good fortune to coach and cox (for all of two weeks) a young lady in the Junior open, Clare Moloney who finished 23rd out of 260 girls today. Had lots of fun with her and mom and dad this weekend. Great kid, bright future.

As for my race. Had a hard time figuring this one out.I had Paul Siebach penciled in for the win ( he delivered with another hammer). A guy I didn't recognize from down south Kevin Sigfrist, was a late entry. He had a 6:53 on the books, I figured him for the silver if the time was legit, it was and he delivered. Then there were a bunch of guys I felt I could at least run with for a shot at the bronze. My times have been a little slower than what I would like this year (aren't everybodies?). My plan was pretty straight forward. Go out at 1:45-46 for 500m, settle in at 1:47's, then nail the final 500m. And if you're in medal contention, hang with the bronze. And it almost worked.....except it didn't.

I had a solid start and hit the first 500m at 1:45.7. Perfect! I settled in and was trying to sit on 1:47's for the next 500m. Again, second split dead on at 1:47.2. Just like last year (which I also managed to 'ef up) I had a strong third 500m at 1:46.7. Was bumping around with the 3rd and 4th place guy at this point and with 500m to go was still in the hunt. As I worked through the final 500m, the wheels just flat out came off. It's a frustrating feeling, there's just nothing you can do except keep pulling. I just continued to fade, until I was seeing 1:50's. 51's, 52's. Just like the wicked witch of the west "I'm melting...".

So, I lost the Bronze fair and square to two stronger guys; well done Rich and Frank. As I mentioned in another post; not thrilled with the result but happy with the way I raced. Figured I would race for a medal, really not much difference between 4th or 8th. Not real concerned about PR's today. I have my suspicions about my performance. Came in way underweight (160.0 with uni and socks) and started my speedwork way early in November ( had my best times in late December and early January). Seems like I peaked four weeks ago. Not making excuses to be sure; just looking for answers for next year.

Last year in 55-59, move up (down?) to 60-64LWT next year. Big time congrats to Tom Phillips on his 60LWT Hammer with a blistering 6:49, missed the US record by 2/10's.

Rick....we'll be waiting for the full report ( and nice job with 4th place and 7:25 I might add!)

[Hillclimber]

Great race and report, Ed! Good to see you! Look forward to continued reports re your athlete- she's in capable hands.
Damien

[Bob S.]

Thanks, Edward. Great report!

[PowerRower]

Nice to meet you Edward!

[G-dub]

Way to hang in there Ed. Musn't have been easy to do, watching the race tracker. Now its on to next year!

[Marsh_Creek_Sculler]

Nice report, great piece, and great meeting you yesterday.
Mike

[Yankeerunner]

Great to see you again Ed, and great report. Maybe you need to drop a few more pounds?

I'm working on a long-winded report myself even as you read this. Stay tuned, both you and my other fan or two.

[Bob S.]

Stay tuned, both you and my other fan or two.

Looking forward to it. Always enjoy your posts.

Bob

[ArmandoChavezUNC]

Edward - it was great meeting you, I really appreciated your support during the race, that was very nice of you.

It was my first time racing Crash-B's and even though I did well, the conditions definitely are tough. I had cotton-mouth from stroke #1.

Anyway, sorry your race didn't go as planned but congrats on hanging on and finishing - an 8th place is still a fantastic result. Congrats.

[Bob S.]

I had cotton-mouth from stroke #1.

Adrenaline has a lot to do with that. I have had a couple of experiences that convinced me of that. One was at sea, motor-sailing against a strong wind. It became necessary to reef the mainsail and a miscue with the reef points resulted in the end of the boom dropping with a crash to the top of the transom. I had an instant case of cotton-mouth - no low humidity in this case - there was rain along with the wind. Later I found out that adrenaline surges have that effect.

[Papy]

Thanks for the great report, Edward !

[hjs]

Good try Edward, at least you gave it your best. Next year another try

[Edward4492]

Thanks everyone. Armando, that was 5th, not 8th! (just kidding). I'll be looking to plan for next year; and Henry was polite enough to not point out the obvious....I came up short due to aerobic capacity plain and simple. Don't know if you can call it a fly and die; I was going strong up to 500m to go. Not a mental let down, I decided to push it hard from 1000m down to 500m and had a solid third split. Just....the well ran dry. I've been doing a lot of reading and research lately and I'm leaning hard towards Henry's approach. Big meters and modest power and heart rate. I'll approach this on a more appropriate thread.

Great meeting you all and thanks again!

[Cyclingman1]

Ed, I think one of the bigger stories of Crash-B is Mike Smith's 6:28 in 50+ LWt. In 2 yrs he will be 55 and Siebach will be 59. That will be quite a race in 55+, assuming everyone stays healthy.

Too bad we missed out on Steve Roedde competing with Tom Phillips in 60+ LWt. Steve's time last yr is the same as Tom's this yr.

I see you are dancing around the training grounds again. Right now I'm not going to be betting a large sum on you breaking 7:00 anytime soon. But you should be with 6:59 just 15 months ago. I don't know if you should be doing a lot of LSD or a lot of AT and TR. Things have gotten confused and progress is not too good.

[chaz]

Nice job Ed and description of the race. Like road racing, time trialing, etc., you learn each season and build. Great progress and now you will be hitting a new age group. Outstanding season for you. Chuck