Training for Eagleman 70.3
I originally had this race pegged as being my first sub-5 finish, which I believed was fully attainable based on my last time here when I pulled a 5:04. March hit, and my training was on point in all three disciplines, and that 5-hour mark was going to go down. Then it happened, out on a run, trip, and I used my shoulder and head to soften the landing.
Concussion, yup. Hurt shoulder, check also. Probably had a fractured rib too, since it took 2 months for me to not have tenderness in my left lat just under my arm. Had to take some time off from training.
Challenging Training Season
Then the challenges of stacking my season with early races and work became a mixture that would lead me to reevaluate my expectations for this race.
My new goal was to finish the race, enjoy it, and hopefully complete it in under 5:30. I knew my running wasn’t where it needed to be, so I would manage the run as best I could. I also knew my bike volume was a little light for a half iron. So, I also knew what to expect there.
Race Day – Eagleman!
Race morning weather was going to be a factor. Many people who race Eagleman usually wish for a cloudy day as it tends to get quite hot. Well wishes were granted for most of the race, as it was cloudy and at times lightly raining.
The problem with this also brought some more potent wind and chop on the water. That chop on the water was where my race almost entirely went sideways.
I have swum in some pretty poor conditions, such as Ironman NY in 2023 during a tropical depression, which shortened the swim, but I handled it without any problems.
Ironman Florida 2021, rip currents were close to 20 percent of the field that were either pulled out or did not make the swim cutoff. Pros said it was one of the worst swims they had ever encountered. Got through that.
But here in the Choptank on this day, about 150 meters into the swim I had a panic attack. The last time that happened was on my 3rd tri back 15 years ago. This is a well-known situation that has happened to many triathletes on the swim and has caused many people to have to call it a day. Apparently, at the conclusion of the race, I found out that a decent number of people were taken out of the water.
Panic Attack in the Water
I am not fully sure why this panic attack happened, but I can sum it up to a few things. I went out too fast, as if it were a mass start, and didn’t need to, since we went in three at a time every five seconds.
My heart rate quickly elevated. Then, as I tried to get my breathing pattern in line, I kept getting smacked in the face by the water and could not get a good breath.
My chest tightened, and then the mind began a quick descent down that dark path of questioning why the hell I am even out here!
I remembered something I tell all my athletes when they are going to be racing. Just stop, take a look around, and note that you are ok. Start to do some breaststroke to get your breathing under control and then start to take stock of what is going on.
Knowing What You are Capable Of…
First, I know my fitness is good enough to finish this swim. Next, I have handled far worse conditions. I can tell the chop is coming in from one direction. Once I get around the first turn buoy, it will not be hitting me in the face, so if I get there, I will not have to deal with that anymore.
I can see the lifeguards if I need them, so I’ll be okay. Then I took a few freestyle strokes and started to find my rhythm. Sure, enough hit that buoy and was feeling ok and no longer getting hit in the face and bobbing up and down.
My swim would go on.
Jellyfish Attack!
Of course, had to throw in another little fun tidbit around 1500 meters into the swim, a sea nettle (jellyfish) decided to give me a kiss, quite literally, as it landed right on my face across my lips!
I pulled it off, tossed it and continued on. Been stung by them before and other than the initial sting, I knew I would be ok. Out of the water, wetsuit stripped and off to the bike!
And the Bike…
The bike ride was going well. Maryland has pretty decent roads, and the course is not very technical, so I was able to settle into an aero position and just start to hammer along.
Unfortunately, there is one thing that often accompanies a flat, non-technical course, and that is people riding in pac lines.
Drafting on the Bike
Ironman racing is not draft-legal for those unfamiliar with some of the race rules.
I was happily cruising along passing on the left when a massive pac pulled up next to me, probably between 30 to 40 riders. Now we are all age groupers at this point, and we all have goals, but riding like this is cheating in a non-draft legal race, plain and simple. So, if you are comfortable with cheating, go ahead you do you.
But more than cheating, its outright dangerous on a tri bike! In ITU racing where drafting is part of racing, road bikes are used, so athletes are not in aero position away from their brakes. If they need to stop, they are closed to their brakes and also more in control as they are on the outer part of their bars.
Passing Athletes
I was about to pass a rider when I looked over my shoulder and saw someone riding right on my wheel. I knew I had to wait for him to pass, but then realized he was just the beginning of a group 2 and 3 wide that stretched up to 15 bikes deep.
So, I was essentially trapped until they went by. After they passed, I put in some effort and began to pass them all on the left, calling it out and, on occasion, getting a look from the peloton participants. I made it to the front and knew not to let up, or they would be right on me again.
Unfortunately, after about 2 miles, they again were right on my wheel, and I decided to sit up and let them go by. They passed, and I again chose to put in some effort to go by.
This time I knew to lay it out there, burn a match and hang on once I passed them for at least a mile to shake them. As I passed and got forced over the center line into the oncoming traffic lane and was barking passing on your left, one individual questioned where I would like him to go.
My response: Drop in line 20 meters behind the person next to you. I don’t think it mattered, but I was happy to voice my frustration. At mile 45, I made the choice to hit the port-a-potty, knowing they were close again. Took an extra minute and filled my between-the-arms hydration. As I did this, I saw them all passing, now broken up since some of the riders could just not hold the pace. I hopped back on my bike and took pleasure in passing all of them before the bike portion was over.
Yeah, I said it! I was happy to pass each one of them on my merit.
Bike done.
Now off to manage my run as best I could with the knowledge that my run prep was lacking.
Run started pretty solid. Had to make a pit stop at the first aid station to use the porta potty, but hey, it happens.
First 6 miles, I was moving along quite well, and then the calf issue that kept me from getting on my bike in Utah a month ago began to show up. I started to do a bit of walk/run to keep it from seizing up. It seemed to be working, and I began to get moving again.
Then my stomach started going sideways. Really??
Mile 8, I began to walk and at the aid station grabbed some Coke and decided no more gels or electrolyte drinks for the rest of the race.
Water and Coke would be all that I would consume for the final 5 miles. Sure enough, it worked! By mile 9, I started running again and was moving ever closer to the finish line. The next few miles went off without a hitch.
I crossed the finish line and was content to know that I was one race closer to completing my 100th multisport event.
Familiar Faces on the Course
It was great throughout the run to see other Long Islanders from the local tri clubs out there. I also got to see Vicki Edwards, a co-worker from EventPower and the coach of East End Tri!
Familiar faces along the race route are always encouraging.
My Takeaways from Eagleman 70.3
As an athlete and coach, I found this race to be very satisfying for multiple reasons. First, I learned things from it. I have a better understanding of how to use some self-talk if I find myself having a panic attack in the water. This is also knowledge I can pass on to my athletes, as they may encounter a similar situation.
Next, control the controllable. I can’t prevent people from drafting, but I can make a choice to let them go by, keep myself out of danger, and move forward safely, as my goal is to finish the race safely more than anything else.
Also, be prepared to manage unforeseen situations, such as GI issues, while on the run.
Last, but not least, be ready to manage your expectations. I knew going in that the lead up to the race was not what I planned. I have no shame in scrapping initial expectations and the results. You get what you put in when it comes to racing. I had an injury, over-stacked my calendar, and did not stay true to my own mantra, to be consistent.
Fortunately, I have plenty of race season ahead of me. I am excited to get back to putting in the work and training, as it always brings me great satisfaction. I also am even more excited to share it with my athletes and team that will be embarking even more on their endurance journey!
Final time, 5:33:57. Not bad considering some of the up and downs and shooting for a 5:30 with the revised expectation.
