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