JJ: Ironhorse Quartermax Triathlon Recap
June 19, Springfield, Illinois, ¼ Iron-distance triathlon (.6M swim, 28M bike, 6.5M run)
I made the early morning 100-mile drive to Springfield, Illinois, to participate in the Ironhorse Quartermax Triathlon on Father’s Day. This is a race that has seen its ups and downs over the years but made a triumphant return to the calendar in the form of a new quarter-Ironman distance this year. The new distance and the fact that it was my first race in the 35-39 age group gave it a fresh feel and I looked forward to competing.
The weather was ideal--especially for June in the midwest. The swim was barely wetsuit legal (77 degrees), which would help me limit my losses in the early going. The under-40 males all eased down the boat ramp for the first wave and then we were off, swimming counter-clockwise around the orange and yellow buoys. It seemed like a long .6 miles and when I emerged from the water my watch reminded me that I am not a fast swimmer.
The 28-mile bike was very flat, with some slight winds, and mostly smooth roads. I was steadily gaining on bikers ahead of me and my legs felt good. At the first turnaround, I counted about 20 athletes ahead of me. By the second turnaround, I climbed to around 15th. Toward the end of the bike, I found myself jockeying with four other riders. I tried to size them up in terms of age and running ability. I wanted to outrun these guys and try to work my way into the top 10 if possible.
With a few miles to go on the bike, I noticed that my aerobar pad was coming unscrewed and I feared it would break and either jolt me enough to make me crash or force me to ride in an unbalanced position. It held up until the final turn into transition. As it fell to the ground and I looked over my shoulder, a thoughtful guy yelled out, “I got it! Keep going!”
Out on the shaded run, I was clawing my way toward the top 10 and felt good about my pace through the finish line. When the day was over and all the waves were adjusted for start times I dropped down to 14th. Favorite race so far this year. Enthusiastic race director, great volunteers, quick results, good atmosphere.
Next race: Hillsboro, Illiniois, Biathlon, July 4, 2005. Stay tuned.
-Jan
I made the early morning 100-mile drive to Springfield, Illinois, to participate in the Ironhorse Quartermax Triathlon on Father’s Day. This is a race that has seen its ups and downs over the years but made a triumphant return to the calendar in the form of a new quarter-Ironman distance this year. The new distance and the fact that it was my first race in the 35-39 age group gave it a fresh feel and I looked forward to competing.
The weather was ideal--especially for June in the midwest. The swim was barely wetsuit legal (77 degrees), which would help me limit my losses in the early going. The under-40 males all eased down the boat ramp for the first wave and then we were off, swimming counter-clockwise around the orange and yellow buoys. It seemed like a long .6 miles and when I emerged from the water my watch reminded me that I am not a fast swimmer.
The 28-mile bike was very flat, with some slight winds, and mostly smooth roads. I was steadily gaining on bikers ahead of me and my legs felt good. At the first turnaround, I counted about 20 athletes ahead of me. By the second turnaround, I climbed to around 15th. Toward the end of the bike, I found myself jockeying with four other riders. I tried to size them up in terms of age and running ability. I wanted to outrun these guys and try to work my way into the top 10 if possible.
With a few miles to go on the bike, I noticed that my aerobar pad was coming unscrewed and I feared it would break and either jolt me enough to make me crash or force me to ride in an unbalanced position. It held up until the final turn into transition. As it fell to the ground and I looked over my shoulder, a thoughtful guy yelled out, “I got it! Keep going!”
Out on the shaded run, I was clawing my way toward the top 10 and felt good about my pace through the finish line. When the day was over and all the waves were adjusted for start times I dropped down to 14th. Favorite race so far this year. Enthusiastic race director, great volunteers, quick results, good atmosphere.
Next race: Hillsboro, Illiniois, Biathlon, July 4, 2005. Stay tuned.
-Jan
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