| Racer: Kenrick Smith Age: 33 Division: 30-34 Hometown: Schnecksville, PA Race Location: Middlebury, CT Travel Distance: 190 miles Drive Time: 3-1/2 hr | Hotel: None - stayed at friends house in Cheshire, CT - 25min commute to race Cost per night: N/A Race Entry Cost: $250 Length of Stay: 3 nights - 3 days |
We woke up and headed over to the race early in the morning where the temperatures were already in the mid 70s and the humidity was still pretty thick. As the sun came up, it became a little more sticky but nothing to get alarmed about. I made my way to transition to finish setting up my gear and situated my bike, that I left in transition overnight. I taped my 4 GU Roctane Gels down so I could easily rip the tops off out there on the course. I did my normal race rituals of walking back and forth from the Swim - In entrance to find my bike location and also the Bike -In entrance to find my location again. I always like to familiarize myself with my transition surroundings. I visualized my transitions one last time and headed over to the swim start.
The water temperature was a cool 72 degrees - perfect for a nice swim. The start was a beach start and my wave was the orange caps - the 3rd wave after the Pros. I made my way into the corral and stepped to the waters edge to test the cool waters. With the gritty sand beneath my toes and the small cool ripples from the previous swim waves wetting the tops of my feet, I took a deep breath and focused on the swim course. I looked behind to check out my competition for the day, which looked good. One final call with 30 seconds left and before I knew it I was in the water and everything went silent. The only thing I could hear were my thoughts and the breaths I was taking. I broke away from the group quickly and got myself into a strong rhythm. I thought I was alone and then I spotted another orange cap. I decided to use him and started to draft off of him so I got right on his side and tried to work him to tire him out. It didn't take long to catch the wave in front, so I moved behind my drafting buddy to let him navigate for me. As we came onto the first turn buoy I went for a tight squeeze and went right next to the buoy. My drafting partner went wide and I thought I made a strong enough move where I could lose him. So I kept pace and picked it up a touch. This is where it got messy for the rest of the swim. I was staring into the bursts of the sun and hard a very difficult time trying to spot the buoys. Along with this, there were swimmers everywhere. I felt as though I navigated flawlessly but needed to swim over quite a few athletes (sorry if I swam over you). I made my way to the last turn buoy of the upside down triangle course and head for the blue and white Rev3 arch. I felt sand beneath my feet again and headed up to transition.
I heard my Dad yell to me that I was 2nd out of the water from my wave, so I tried to make quick work of transition. I was greeted by my family who were standing just outside of transition and were screaming my name and words of encouragement. I quickly gathered my gear for my ride - GU BREW, GU Roctane GELS, Fig Newtons, and my Honey Stinger Waffles.
I heard my Dad yell to me that I was 2nd out of the water from my wave, so I tried to make quick work of transition. I was greeted by my family who were standing just outside of transition and were screaming my name and words of encouragement. I quickly gathered my gear for my ride - GU BREW, GU Roctane GELS, Fig Newtons, and my Honey Stinger Waffles.
I went out onto the 56 mile bike course and started getting to work right away. I noticed early on that my legs felt great, fresh, and ready to go. I felt that my coach Todd, of TWiley Sports, had me primed and ready to go. I knew going into the race, and from driving part of the course the day before ,that it was going to be a tough grinding day. I powered through the first few miles of the course and then settled into a nice strong pace.
I tried to stay with riders, making myself push my cycling limits, at times, before settling back into my zone. The course had me going up, down, and all around at times. I don't think there was more than a 2 mile stretch that was flat. It made for a fun and exciting ride, constantly having to switch gears to climb and then zipping down the downhills listening to my ZIPP wheels cut through the thick humid air. I cranked to my little hearts content trying to hold my position as long as I could and trying to conserve some energy for the long 13.1 mile run that was going to be coming after this grinding ride.
As I came into about mile 50-52 I started to stand up and test the legs out to see how they were feeling. They felt pretty good and was definitely ready to get on to the run course. I came down the final stretch and headed to transition and thought I was around 5th-6th place but wasn't sure since a lot of people wear compression socks hiding their age.
I tried to stay with riders, making myself push my cycling limits, at times, before settling back into my zone. The course had me going up, down, and all around at times. I don't think there was more than a 2 mile stretch that was flat. It made for a fun and exciting ride, constantly having to switch gears to climb and then zipping down the downhills listening to my ZIPP wheels cut through the thick humid air. I cranked to my little hearts content trying to hold my position as long as I could and trying to conserve some energy for the long 13.1 mile run that was going to be coming after this grinding ride.
As I came into about mile 50-52 I started to stand up and test the legs out to see how they were feeling. They felt pretty good and was definitely ready to get on to the run course. I came down the final stretch and headed to transition and thought I was around 5th-6th place but wasn't sure since a lot of people wear compression socks hiding their age.
I headed out on the run course and picked up some refreshments from the newly recruited K-Krew volunteers. Thanks Krew!!! They were looking sharp in their orange K17SPORT shirts. My legs felt pretty good considering what they just went through. The run for the first 2-3 miles was rolling hills and was pretty well shaded. Then the hills came and kept coming. They were steep, long, and often. My pre-race strategy was to just stay strong and grind through them. I was contemplating driving the run course prior to the race but opted not to so I would not second guess my strong effort on the bike. It also didn't let me second guess my run pace and went by feel through the run.
I felt that my strategy worked and when I hit a hill I just hit it hard and kept moving forward. I would take it one step at a time and focused on nothing but the task at hand. I was constantly evaluating the way I felt and would make nutrition decisions as I progressed through the course. I took as many liquids as I could hold through the aid stations - I would grab as many waters and ices I could hold dumping in suit, pouring on my head, and drinking Gatorade if anything was left in by the time I was done going through the aid station. It seemed as I was going up the hills they might never end but when they did they seemed short lived as then we would need to climb again. I tell you what though, there was some beautiful scenery to be had on this course and some HUGE homes.
I made my way out of the forest and hills and back onto the main road back to Quassy, where we ran on a paved running trail. Right before mile 9 we came to civilization and caught a glimpse of the crowds. I was very happy to once again see the K-Krew yelling and cheering for me.
I felt that my strategy worked and when I hit a hill I just hit it hard and kept moving forward. I would take it one step at a time and focused on nothing but the task at hand. I was constantly evaluating the way I felt and would make nutrition decisions as I progressed through the course. I took as many liquids as I could hold through the aid stations - I would grab as many waters and ices I could hold dumping in suit, pouring on my head, and drinking Gatorade if anything was left in by the time I was done going through the aid station. It seemed as I was going up the hills they might never end but when they did they seemed short lived as then we would need to climb again. I tell you what though, there was some beautiful scenery to be had on this course and some HUGE homes.
I made my way out of the forest and hills and back onto the main road back to Quassy, where we ran on a paved running trail. Right before mile 9 we came to civilization and caught a glimpse of the crowds. I was very happy to once again see the K-Krew yelling and cheering for me.
I turned the corner right after passing them and headed for the final 4.1 miles of the course. Bring it on!! I headed on a slow gradual downhill eyeing up one of the racers I kept in front of me the entire run course. We were passing people pretty steadily early on but as we got further into the run they became fewer. I think it had more to with the field thinning out than our pace slowing because I didn't feel like we were getting slower. Every person we would come up on I would get excited - until I could read their age on their calf - age 35 or 37 or 36 or 39. It seemed that everyone I passed wasn't in my division. That got frustrating but I knew there wasn't anything I could do about but keep plugging away.
I rounded one of the last hills and came to my last steep hill, dug deep, and charged it to make my way to the top. That was the longest mile ever. I rounded the final turn and headed back to the main road for the final 1/8th of a mile to the finish line, used my last burst of energy to hold off the guy behind me or the phantom guy (the guy you think might be behind you but are hoping he's not) behind me and crossed the finished line - exhausted. Tough race!! Finished 12th Overall and reached the podium for my division - 2nd Place. I was very pleased with my strategy, how the race unfolded, and the final result. I know what I need to work on to keep moving forward and am looking forward to my next race - Philly Tri.
I rounded one of the last hills and came to my last steep hill, dug deep, and charged it to make my way to the top. That was the longest mile ever. I rounded the final turn and headed back to the main road for the final 1/8th of a mile to the finish line, used my last burst of energy to hold off the guy behind me or the phantom guy (the guy you think might be behind you but are hoping he's not) behind me and crossed the finished line - exhausted. Tough race!! Finished 12th Overall and reached the podium for my division - 2nd Place. I was very pleased with my strategy, how the race unfolded, and the final result. I know what I need to work on to keep moving forward and am looking forward to my next race - Philly Tri.
Many thanks as always to my wonderful wife and kids. Also a HUGE thank you to my great parents - you guys are the best :)
Special thanks to PX Triathlon for helping get second out of the water in my Age Group, and to Fitness Central for having my bike dialed in as always.
Had a great experience at the Rev3 Quassy Event and am looking forward to my next one. They did a great job and treat the racers very well.
Special thanks to PX Triathlon for helping get second out of the water in my Age Group, and to Fitness Central for having my bike dialed in as always.
Had a great experience at the Rev3 Quassy Event and am looking forward to my next one. They did a great job and treat the racers very well.
12th overall finish
2nd in Age Group
Podium Finish
REV3 Does the awards right look at all the swag we got for putting it all there!!
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