Pumpkinman race report

So my goa was at 4:29:XX and I ended up coming in at 4:35:XX. The prediction was a stretch goal and a more realisitic goal was 4:39:XX. I am estatic with my time. I can honestly say that I left nothing out on the course. I beat last years time by 16 minutes! Unreal! Pre race - I didn't sleep all that well and really didn't feel all that good going in. I was sandbagging, but just felt nervous about racing well. My prerace meal was fine and had my typical THREE trips to the bathroom. (Not enjoying that) Pre race swim - I got in the water really early and thought it was actually too soon, but worked out fine. Swim - I started to feel jacked up for the swim,in the good way. The wave went off and I picked a pretty good seam. I have been sighting better this year and it has paid off. For the most part I swam on someones feet and had a solid swim. I knew it had gone well and thought I was going to PR. I ended up coming out at 33 minutes. Pretty much what I get at every race now. The good thing was a I only had one minor cramp in my calf, so felt pretty good heading up that stupid big hill! Swim 33:31 Div 9th OA69th Hill - I pegged off a bunch of people and actualy won my AG. I really didn't try to do this,it just happened. Div 1st OA 15h Bike - I hopped on the bike and felt pretty good. I was breathing heavy and my HR wasa bit jacked. My power was a bit spikey, but I was passing a bunch of people. I believe 2 or 3 riders passed me. I was pushing a little too hard to stay with them, so I let them go around 20 miles in. Overall I felt pretty good and was constatnly doing the math to try and figure out where I was going to come in at. I kept going back and fourth with one rider up until mile 45(ish). I passed him and said time to drop the hammer. I thought he was going to go with me, but I never saw him again. I was really moving. Several stronger riders were a bit taken back when I passed them. A huge improvement has been the back half of the bike. My endurance has been really strong. At this point I had no idea where Shaun was. I actually thought I might be ahead of him. As I pulled into transition I saw him running out. He pushes hard on the bike, so I was psyched to see him. Bike 2:28:XX AG 5th OA 28th Power 190 - Right on Goal! Run - I didn't feel great once I started to run. Shawn was about a minute ahead of me and for the first 2 miles we scorched low 6 minute miles. I caught him at mile 3 and we chatted for a bit. He thought he was in 1st place and that I had just taken the lead. We ran in stride and then I kicked hard to pull away. I caught one of the guys that passed me on the bike at mile 1 as well. Huge confidence boost. I was having a good day, but I didn't take in enough fluids and gels on the bike. I was running strong, but really feeling it. I took in a couple blocks and gatorade to spike my sugar. I was definitely fading around mile 10. It was at that point I knew I still could go sub 130 on the run. I sucked it up and pushed hard. The sugar from the blocks kicked in and I started to hammer. I was sideways the last 2 miles. Ton of pain, but the 130 goal was screaming at me. I ended up coming in at 1:30:19. The only thing I might have done better to help me get there would have been better nutrition on the bike and run. I wasn't terrible by any means,but there was 19 seconds hanging out there. All that said, I am psyched with that run! I was only passed by one runner the entire time, so something to be proud of. Run 1:30:19 AG 5th OA 24th Overall great day. I will continue to pursue the sub 4:30 goal and have to believe it will happen next year.