Last Saturday, The Rage in the Sage, kicked off the multi-sport season for many. It was a cold wet start to a busy 2007 race schedule. The weather forecast Saturday morning revealed rain and wind. This time of year rain and wind equals cold and miserable. My only hope was that the forecasters would be correct in predicting that it would clear by the race start.
Arriving at the scene a few hours early, I went for a quick ride on the course to check out the conditions. Though raining pretty hard (for the Tri-Cities), the trails where hard-packed and smooth. I quickly setup transition, checked tire pressure and lubed the chain. Underdressed, soaked and cold, I crawled back into my vehicle for warmth. There I stayed for the remainder of the morning watching the rain get heavier and heavier -- freaking out knowing I did not bring anything but a tri-top and bike shorts to race in. Reviewing my race plan ("do whatever it takes to hang with Brian Schur on the run") and listening to my favorite band, I tried to ignore my fear of the weather.
30 minutes before race start I decided to jump on my trainer and start warming up. At this point things started warming up, the rain let up and by 9:30 we were ready to start.
Completing the first 2.5 mile run in a 14:50, I made it to transition 30 seconds behind Brian. I had some catching up to do. And so it was, as usual, I would hammer the bike leg to make up what I had lost on the first run. Second by second, closing the gap. At first he was nowhere to be seen. It wasn't 'till the second lap that he was visible on the strait-a-ways. About half way through the 2nd lap of the 2 lap bike course, I finally catch and pass him making my way to transition.
Gaining 15 seconds or so, I dart out of transition in a frantic attempt to keep a time buffer between Brian and I. Feeling good and keeping nice margin between us, I make it to the turnaround at about 1 and 3/4 mile. At this point I notice Brian starting to gain some ground. I lengthen my stride and try to take advantage of the slight downhill grade.
By now I could start to taste victory. Only 3/4 mile to go, and still had about a 10 seconds buffer. My side starting to ach and my stride started to shorted, the taste of victory quickly turned to a taste of lactic acid. The harder I tried, the tighter my stomach got. "Relax, breath though your stomach..." I tried to talk myself through it. Rounding the last corner I could see the finish line. It never looked so far away. Getting nervous, I look back to see if I still had chance. This was my undoing. Seeing this, Brian took this opportunity of weakness to crush any hope I may have had of 1st place. He was on my tail in no time. In a desperate attempt to keep my lead I gave it everything I had. My stomach muscles instantly seized up leaving me breathless and hunched over.
Hobbling across the finish line, I finished 20 seconds behind Brian with a time of 1:07:40. Good job Brian! One thing I've learned from Saturday's race is assume your competition is right on your tail and hope they are suffering more than you, but most importantly, NEVER LOOK BACK!
Your Humble Multi-Sport Race Reporter,
Ryan Brown
