July 30, 2017
My 8th 70.3 triathlon
On Saturday I got my pre-race massage then headed to Delaware, OH. Easy hour and 20 minute drive. I got to Ohio Wesleyan Campus and started walking to stadium. I saw Matt Fadely who introduced me to a friend of his. Fadely said, This is Matt Kennard, he's kind of a big deal around here, everyone knows Matt." He was just joking, of course. But about 5 seconds later, Colleen drives by and yells "Hey Matt!" then Brenda was in the next car or 2 cars back and hollers out, "Hey Matt!" It was kind of funny because this other guy had to be thinking I did know a lot of people. I ended up knowing 25 other racers in this race. Seeing friends and teammates on the course is always free energy for me. I know someone will pick me up or I may be able to help motivate others on the course. I went to the athlete meeting which had a leg massage Reboot place next to it. So I got out of the sun and had the Reboot leg massage going while listening to briefing. I then got checked in. I found Kevin and we went to set up our T2 area with our run gear. I saw most people had kept their stuff in the bags. I wanted to go fast during the race. So I set up my stuff and used the bag to cover it up but was easy to access my shoes and belt. Off to the lake where we checked in our bikes. I saw Chris Purcel who drove from North Carolina to come race in his home state. Kalen, Katie, Liz were all getting race ready as well.
We changed our dinner plans and had good ole Bob Evans. I was wore out from the day. I was still sore from The Murph workout we did at the Academy on Thursday. I don't usually do push-ups, sit-ups and air squats, but we rocked out 20 sets in between mile runs on Thursday and I was feeling it. But I knew the weather was looking great and on race day, you either bring the noise or you don't. I was able to sleep pretty well for the night before a big race.
Alarm went off at 4am. Was out the door at 4:20 and parked by 4:30. A group of us walked over to the stadium to use the porta potties. I choose the one porta potty facing away from the others. I came out to a fork lift coming straight at me! The fork lift driver yelled, "It's a good thing you came out when you did!" He then lifted the porta potty I was in and whisked it away. As we watched the porta potty being moved, Colleen quipped, "There goes Matt's shit flying down the street!" That would've freaked me out! But it was funny! Back at the car, I got all my stuff together and waited for wet suit announcement. 75.9! wetsuit legal by .2 degrees! I'm a much faster swimmer in the wet suit, so I was thrilled. Loaded up onto the shuttle and it felt like it took forever to get to race site. Finally got there and set up bike nutrition. I was feeling great, a little nervous, but not as sore as Saturday. Got body marked and headed to beach. Right before a race is electric. The energy of the athletes, the support from spectators. Such a cool environment!
My swim wave was 3rd. started at 7:08. I jumped in, found my rythym and enjoyed the water. A few bumps from other swimmers but not bad. Then we turned. The sun was glaring! I couldnt see buoys but I could see kayaks. So I sighted off them. I continued on my pace and was thrilled to turn away from the sun. I made it back to shore and was happy to have that done.
I was surprised there wasn't wetsuit strippers to help remove wetsuits. But it didn't take me an extra 20 seconds to tear that thing off and get my bike shoes and helmet off. Stuffed my swim stuff into the bike bag and off on my bike I went.
After Muncie, I had been thinking a lot about going too hard on the bike and trying to save some energy for the run. But I always got back to the thought, I love going fast on the bike! Maybe it was just a mental thing? Maybe I didn't fight hard enough the urge to walk when I should be running. I started off the bike trying not to push myself. The headwind on the way out was there but not terrible. When we came back, the wind helped push us. What I experienced was flat corn field roads with no hills and not much to look at was boring. I was trying to go fast without killing the legs. But I was getting bored. I saw Mike Brown, Mike Sullivan, Matt Fadely and Sean Walsh all rocking out there rides! We all tried to holler out at each other but being safe and continuing forward motion was utmost importance. At about mile 43ish, I was bored and almost lonely. There were people passing me, but because of my early start, there wasn't many riders for me to pass. Then I hear this female voice say, well I heard something but do to wind i think it was, "Hey there Matt Kennard!" Judy Stutes had caught me! She pedaled up next to me and took off like a rocket. Knowing Judy started after me and was now ahead of me on the bike, I knew I was getting my butt kicked! I tried to yell "Keep it up!" to Judy but she took off quick! I tried to pick up my pace to see if I could keep Judy in sight. Mile 50 hit, then 55 and I knew it was about time to switch to the run. I dismounted the bike,
switched into run shoes
off I went.
I was proud of my transition times. No screwing around that day. No fear of cramps, just GO! Out onto the run course I went. I knew I had a good bike split, but it wasn't as fast as Muncie. I felt great starting the run.I tried to hold back so I wouldn't use up too much energy early. About a mile out, I got into the first loop. I love the spectator support on this run. I got a lot of people to cheer for us athletes. I stuck to my plan using a GU packet every 3 miles. Then mile 8 hit and the temperature started to show itself. It got hot out there! My pace slowed. Between mile 9 and 10, I saw Colleen's kit and decided to catch up to her. Just talking to someone can take your mind of the pain in the legs. We then saw Jessica. I kept running forward, then walking. I gave just about all I had. I tried fighting the race walk monster. Mile 10-13 progressively got slower. I ended up with a 2:16 run time. Better than Muncie's run time! Seeing Liz and Brenda and Stephanie out on the run course was great because it was their first 70.3 race! Seeing other teammates crushing the course helped push me along. Then I saw CHEYLON! Chey provides this SMILE and INCREDIBLE SPIRIT that just uplifts me. I gave her a quick high five (i think, brain was fried at this point), and continued moving forward. I do remember singing out loud, "Runnin down a dream" by Tom Petty. Its my favorite song. I would think other athletes who were passing me thought I was crazy, but I bet they were just as fried as I was. Into the stadium I went. I was so excited because I knew my beautiful wife and daughters were awaiting my arrival. I didn't know my approximate finishing time. I just kept moving forward. Almost around the curve on the track and my left calf started to cramp! It was the only cramp of the day. I walked 5 seconds and then started to pick it up. I located my girls in the stands and blew them a kiss.
Then I looked at my favorite part of triathlon, The FINISH LINE!! I crossed the line and hit stop on my watch. 5:46!!! I knew I had crushed IMOH. I was thrilled with my time and my effort. I got some love from my girls then we got some food and sat down. The time set in, the tears rolled down my face. That thought of where I came from to a guy who can crush a 70.3 mile triathlon. I was just proud. Proud to show my kids how to be active. I heard some teammates finishing their races. I gathered up Vengeance and loaded my car. I went back to cheer on teammates as they closed in on the finish line. It was an amazing day.
Run course had some hills, but nothing terrible. Bike course was flat and boring. The VOLUNTEERS were amazing! A girl about 8 years old was balancing water cups on her head for the runners to take. One guy, Scott Dodge, who lives on the run course had set up his sprinkler for us and set out a stereo! The people of Delaware took great care of us triathletes! All in all, I loved it. I had a blast. 2018 is my "year of new races", so I won't be back next year, but probably 2019 I shall return to IMOH.
Team RWB Won the triathlon club award on points! I was proud to assist in that achievement as well. RWB rocked it out!
Some of my friends first saw me do this pose on the bike, I saw someone else do it so I'm not taking credit for starting it. I love each version of the pose!
