When I was planning my race schedule last fall for this past weekend I penciled in the Cleveland race or Shoreview’s Turtleman race as my two options. This race would be my final triathlon tune-up prior to Madison. I wanted a mid-distance (Olympic) race and both fit the bill. The final decision was whether we would make the annual trip home to Cleveland that week. When we finalized our vacation schedule, the Cleveland race was firmed up.
Last year, the swim was canceled due to rough water conditions. The race was changed to a duathlon consisting of a 1.25 mile run, 24 mile bike, 10k mile run. The Coast Guard is responsible to make the call. If they do not feel they can adequately monitor and keep the swimmers safe then they have to cancel or modify the swim. The main problem with this area is that there is no break wall and with Lake Erie being the shallowest of the five Great Lakes, water conditions change rapidly. This race has a MO of not getting the swim in. I guess that since it’s inaugural year in 2003 the swim has been canceled or modified more times than not. This year was no exception.
A couple of friends were participating in the Shoreview race this year which was held on Saturday 08 August 2009. The swim was scheduled to be modified because of water levels in the lake. It was being shortened. Well, due to extremely poor weather conditions on Saturday the swim was replaced with a 50 yard water run. I have not had a chance to talk with my friends directly yet but I’m curious what exactly a 50 yard water run is? I did hear that the weather was so bad that the race was stopped before all athletes could finish. A strong thunderstorm rolled in while a significant number of participants were still out on the run. From what I’ve heard, maybe the race should not have even started. It seems to be just one of those crazy weather years.
For the Cleveland race, the forecast was for very warm, windy, and humid conditions, but most forecasts were calling for clear skies. Well guess what, the forecast was off by several hours and a strong cell was still over the area when we arrived at Mentor Headlands State Park at 05:45. It was warm, about 75 degrees with high humidity and was very windy with thunder and lighting and rain. You could sense that the swim was in jeopardy, but it had not officially been scratched.
After picking up my race packet and getting into transition, the inevitable announcement came that the race format was being changed to an Olympic and sprint distance duathlon for all. The Olympic distance would consist of a 5K run, 40K bike, 5K run. The sprint would consist of a 2 mile run, 12 mile bike, 2 mile run. The event was scheduled to have both a triathlon and duathlon, so the change was easy for the race directors, and everyone would be doing the duathlon.
The First 5K Run
Last year’s Cleveland’s race was my first duathlon experience. This year’s race format was different again. As I stood at the starting line contemplating my strategy I was unsure on how to approach the first 5K. How hard should I push? The course forced the issue for the first half mile. The run starts on a 6 foot wide path. I did not start far enough up in the pack and was trapped behind some slower runners with little option but to bide my time. When the course opened up I pushed forward and settled into a pace that I could maintain.
The Bike (24 miles)
The bike course was the same as last year. The roads were wet, but the sun was out. The course heads south out of the park; the wind was out of the southwest and was a minor nuisance. The course is on good roads (mostly), and is up hill for the first half or so with a couple of ridiculously steep climbs. The climb at about mile 11 is fun (23% grade). These steep climbs are very short.
The Second 5K Run
A second chance; the run is identical to the first. It is an out and back run course. Nothing too exciting to report. This time traffic was not a problem. Legs felt a little heavy but I quickly got into a rhythm. Carried a water bottle and drank most of it over the 3.1 mile run. It was in the mid 80’s with near 100% humidity.
Overall I was pleased with the result. My track workouts are starting to pay some dividends. I’ll never be Usain Bolt but have definitely made some improvements. I was disappointed that for a second year I did not get to swim in Lake Erie. But the MO in Cleveland when it comes to sports is “There’s always next year”.
