Category Archives: Triathlon

STEVE ZENAR……Great Buckeye Challenge

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Sunday July 24, 2016 – HFP: The Great Buckeye Challenge at Buck Creek State Park

I raced my first Olympic distance Tri for 2016 at Buck Creek State Park on Sunday. I only have two words to describe this race 1) HOT! 2) Humbling

The race location and management of the event were wonderful. The swim was a single lap course running along the shore of the lake. The water was calm which led to me having a strong swim time and race position coming out of the water. The bike course was also a single lap course winding through some beautiful countryside roads. The course had a large amount of gentle rollers with some pretty nice elevation / climb built in. This was a nice challenge but as I have mainly been riding and training on flats this course did get the heart rate up a couple of times – the bike also went well for me and transitioning to the run I was feeling pretty good even with the higher heat and humidity. The run was a nice relatively flat course along a paved bike and hike trail and was an out an back single loop with some nice views to take in. Unfortunately by this time the weather had become quite unbearable and the race course was not forgiving as there was zero shade. Although I had a strong swim and bike performance for the first time since I have started racing triathlons as I transitioned into the run I was quickly humbled as I started feeling very weak around mile 1 and by the time I hit mile 2 I got my first experience of “The Bonk”. Try as I might I couldn’t get my body to cooperate with my mind after this point in the run. By Mile 4 things only got worse as I attempted to increase back up to a run from a walk / jog strategy at which point my right quad completely cramped up and brought me to a limping walk. Fortunately around mile 5 I was finally able to get back to a slow jog and end my misery crossing the finish line with a 1hr and 15min 10K (OUCH!). Even though I was extremely frustrated and disappointed at what had happened I was at least able to place 8th out of 12 in my age group and 60th out of 110 overall – I can honestly say I have never seen so many racers walking on a course and it was great seeing them encouraging each other to just make it to the finish line (Also major kuddos to the other course workers who were all working to keep everyone positive and moving forward to the finish). After finishing up my race I sat down to cool off and have a snack. Just as I was beginning to sit the first Half Distance racers were coming in from the bike and the announcement was made that their run would be cut from a Half Marathon to a 10K due to the heat – my heart went out to these guys / gals as I know how frustrating that must have been for them. Quite a day; and a learning experience, but I was happy just to have finished and enjoy the race course – not every day can be your best day. I would recommend this race venue to anyone looking for something down around the Columbus area; however, I would hope that the weather would be cooler the next time around 🙂

Next up is the Rev3 Half Aquabike at Cedar Point in September!

…..Unless another race falls into the schedule somehow 😊

Thanks!

Steve

CHRIS SCHMAUDER…..Ironman Maryland

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Ironman Maryland

The race was scheduled to take place October 3rd. However, due to hurricane Joaquin and other storms, the race was postponed to October 17th. We were not informed of the change until we had reached Baltimore the first time down. The family tried to make the best of the change and turned the extra days into a small vacation.

The race – approximately half the racers and volunteers returned to race.

Possibly some of the worst conditions I have ever raced in. Water temp was 63°; air temp was 46° with 15-30mph winds. The conditions were bad enough that a small craft advisory was issued and the swim was shortened first to 1.2 miles then changed again to 3000m. Race start time was pushed back 40 min to prepare the course as much as possible. I was lucky enough to have my wife, son, and sister come to watch the second time as well. They arrived just before the race stared, driving most of Friday night and 2 hours Saturday morning.

Entering the water felt like an ice bath. By the end of the swim I had lost feeling in my toes and hands. The 3000m swim took 50m, then it was off to transition where it was the first time I have ever changed clothes during a race. Transition took 12min but it was worth every minute to have warm dry clothes to start the bike.

Flat, fast, and scenic is the best way to describe the bike. The only bad thing on the bike was the harsh winds and a 5 minute drafting penalty. Drafting penalties were being handed out left and right. At times on the bike it was tough to hold 16mph even in an aero position. Despite the conditions and penalty I was able to post my fastest bike time of 5:24.

Leaving T2 I decided to drop all my long sleeve shirts thinking I would warm up on the run. This decision came back to bite me within the first few miles. The first 7 miles went well, averaging 8:30s. Support on the course both from fans and volunteers were great. There were 2 volunteers from the west side of Cleveland immediately leaving T2. The middle 12 miles of the marathon were the toughest. I began fighting cramps, pain, cold, and energy. But right around mile 19 my energy came back and the cramps went away and I was able to begin running sub 9s again. The last mile I pushed to catch anyone in front of me and finished with a 4:02 marathon. Again, posting my fastest run time.

Overall, I finished with a 10:37. 130th overall of 1359 finishers and 22 of 88 in my AG.

My fastest time previously was 11:28 at Ironman Florida. Despite conditions, penalties, and date changes; the race turned out to be great. The venue and course was nice but laid out and run poorly. Some changes will need to be made before I would consider going back.

Next up for me is local racing and some half distance races for the next year or 2, then hopefully getting back to full distance and try to qualify for Kona.