70.3 Providence, Rhode Island

This past weekend we traveled to Providence Rhode Island for the Ironman 70.3 race.  I will admit I had some hesitation about this race going in, mostly because of the logistics.  This would be the first point to point race I had done, with makes setting up transitions a bit more unnerving.  While I have raced Ironman races before, where items are stored in bags, the difference was in those races the bags were all kept together, here they were about 45 miles apart.

The other factor that challenges  me, is the ocean swim.  I know, I live in New Jersey and have the opportunity to swim in the ocean regularly.  However, admittedly, it’s not one of my favorites.  There are too many other factors that come into play with an ocean swim.  Dealing with waves, tides and  sighting- they can all become more difficult.

The final hurdle was one which I had not realized until Saturday.  The race started at 6 am, whereas most start at 7am.  This could play a factor not because I am not an early riser, but how would my body respond to other “factors”.

We were also excited for this race, as we had numerous friends racing as well.  Some of our Ithaca friends as well as Jersey Shore folks and Philly Tri friends where there which all made the trip so much more fun.  It has really been amazing how many great people we have met during our endurance training and racing.  Furthermore, I was excited as we had just received our Solis Performance Training racing jersey’s, so this race was the unveiling of them.

So on to the race.  The swim, was nice.  The water temp was pleasant about 70 degrees.  I went with a full suit.  It was a beach start, and while I started a bit wide, I found a groove early and turned in.  I had a guy draft almost the whole race off, me.  Each time, I moved to allow him to move in front, so I could return, he slipped back.  Oh well.  The chop was a bit rough near the turn, and made sighting tough.  My swim, however, felt really straight considering.  I was out of the water in 31 and change, which left me in a nice place into T1.

T1 again had a bit more of a challenge.  A clean transition meant placing all my swim gear back into a bag, to be drive to T2 for me later.  I was out on the roads in no time, and honestly the added chores had a minimal impact.  The bike course was nice for the first 50 miles.  It began flat for the initial 20 or so miles.  Having been the 8^th wave, I passed a number of cyclists from earlier waves, but made a point to keep both my HR and Power low, to conserve for the run.

At about mile 20, we began to see more climbs, most were manageable, but I really began to notice the heat and humidity were rising on the bike.  It is often tough to notice with the wind how hot you are getting.  I took and drank multiple water bottles at the aid stations. The last 5 miles were tough.  Industrial in the city of Providence, and there were a number of pot holes, and debris, as well as tight turns.  One segment looked like a “bike shop grave yard”, with bottles and cages all over the roadway.

I jumped into T2, and was grateful that everything that I needed for the run, was indeed there.  The run course was nice.  There was a large hill that we had to climb and descend twice.  However, it was a nice course.  The only down side was the course seemed to have little shade, and it did get hot!

My first loop was steady and on a nice pace.  I continued as such until about mile 8.  It took a little effort to get up the hill the second time, but I soon after found a rhythm.  Shortly after following the next aid station, I began to hurt.  My legs (inner thighs, and calves) were cramping.  I admittedly laboured for the last few miles, needed to take some walking breaks and stretch, as well as cool down at the aid stations.  From a coaching perspective, I have begun to re-visit my training protocols, to see what and where to best address this.

Much like Madison, Ironman Wisconsin, and this race ended at the steps of the Capital Building.  The crowds and volunteers were incredible.   The best part was being able to sit and spend time with our friends post race, and hear of everyone’s challenges.  Wonderful day and one which we will go back to again!
Results

Photo Album

Movement U – Preparing for Athletic Performance

On Saturday, October 24, a large contingent of Solis Athletes attended Jessi Stensland’s Movement U.  We all left in awe.  By Jessi’s own admissions the ideas and concepts taught are not earth shattering or ground breaking.  In fact they are in some ways minimalist, in that most can be performed without  the  use of equipment, or at minimum with simple implements.  In that we were taught how to go back in time, re-think and were provided the tools to re-train our bodies, to performance efficiently and injury free.

This was the first event of a group of about 8 sessions being conducted by Jessi, who had trained under the methodology of Athletes Performance.  Jessi’s individual resume is impressive independently, as she hold not only degrees in exercise science but is also a professional athlete.  We were incredibly impress with Jessi and her communication skills and ability to provide both encouragement and information to athletes regardless of their background and experience.  It was wonderful, that the program started like Jessi in New Jersey.

Each one of our athletes (my self included) left with an understanding and feeling of where we suffered from minor deficiencies and or imbalances, and took with us a wealth of easy to manage drills and strengthening exercises to integrate in our daily routine.  The greatest compliment I could give was that on the way home in speaking to a client who attend she said, “so were going to start this on Monday, right?”

To add to the event Jessi whose is from the Jersey area had here family there to help and all were wonderful and helped make the experience.  We cannot wait for the next addition of Movement U!