With the exception of the last two years, it was becoming a tradition to end my year with a fun event, competing in a triathlon relay at Clash Daytona. The last two years the race hosted the Long Course Duathlon National Championships so it was all business. This year it was back to having a blast competing in two races, an all-cycling relay on Saturday and the Daytona Distance Triathlon on Sunday.
Saturday – Redline Relay
On day one I participated on a seven man cycling relay team. This was my first cycling only race. Part of my off-season training plan is to do a few different things to enhance my bike leg and this is one of them. I was invited to participate on Team – Bike Lab. This team is led by owner, Jessie, of The Bike Lab in Dunedin and also my mechanic. He saved me earlier in the year by fixing my bike the morning of my flight to Nationals. Without his genius, I would have had to skip the race.
When I showed up to the meeting area pre-race, Jessie began to share who each of our team members were and his descriptions began to enter a bit of doubt in my head with my ability to pace with this team. The format of the event was a timed two hour race with two members of each team out on the course together completing laps around the 2.5 mile Daytona track.
It was raining and cold and I was lined up to go in our third pair. When we exited Pit Row, I took off quick thinking my teammate was going to be pulling me the entire way. Well, that taking off like a rocket gassed me and I paid for it the remainder of the 2.5 miles. Bruce pulled much of the way and had to hold back as I was hanging on for dear life. As we came in I was blitzed…legs and lungs screaming. We chatted and I learned a big lesson about the start and overall pacing.
Bruce and I went out again when our turn came around. This time I was even paced all the way through and did so much better, still hanging on to Bruce with everything I had but carried my own weight much better the second go.
The third time I went around I was paired with another gentleman, Sean, and we really worked well together pulling equally around the track while pulling my fastest of the three splits. The learning was happening and the numbing pain was well, numbing so maybe that helped too. The title, Redline Relay, is the perfect name for the race.
Our team crushed it and led us to a 2nd Place Overall finish amongst 23 teams. I was humbled and so glad I did something out of my comfort zone that pushed me harder than any workout I could imagine. I am thankful for the invite and meeting several new cyclists that I hope to ride with again. They made me better and now I know I can contribute. Gotta get a lot better though…
Triathlon Relay
Day two brought the Daytona Distance Triathlon Relay consisting of – 1 mile swim – 35 mile bike – 9 mile run. On this day I was teamed up with friend Beth Shaw for the swim, my girlfriend Lauren Nolan handling the run, and I was on the bike once again.
I was excited to do this race for a few reasons. It was the first relay I’ve done with Lauren and have wanted to do that for some time. I also wanted to use this as another hard off-season effort to improve my bike output. The 35 miles was just the right distance I thought I had in my legs to have a good day.
Beth started out with a very good swim setting us up for a good day. With 15 teams in the race including all male teams, we didn’t have an expectation of placement but knew we each wanted to race like hell and see where the chips fell. Beth did that and then I went off on the bike. The roads were still wet from the rain on day one and overnight but the rain had subsided other than slight dirzzles while I was on the course.
For the first 10 miles I felt good and in typical fashion for me, searching for the time when my cardio and power would settle in for the duration of the ride. Once I got about 10 miles out something really clicked. My body was holding a great aero position while I found the power in my legs to just keep driving through the pedals. I was having a great ride holding my power and speed consistently through 30+ miles when we were approaching transition with several climbs and turns that had me up and down on the bike. I finished strong with the 2nd best bike of the day and as I racked my bike, there was only one other racked meaning we were in 2nd place!
The team leading was all male and the team behind us had an ex Pro Triathlete running so realistically, third place was the potential target as Lauren headed out on the two lap, nine mile run. As she passed Beth and I at the lap 2 start, she looked great and had a comfortable lead on 4thplace. At one point early in her run it looked as if it could go down to the wire, but she sped up and the gentleman running in 4th slowed so that match was bliss!
As Lauren came down the Finish Line chute, Beth and I cheered, and I yelled, “Podium Baby!!!” We were so excited to place 3rd overall! We all had great efforts that resulted in us squeezing on to the small 3rd Place circle on stage…so proud!
What a weekend of racing! I tried something new out of my comfort zone, got better, met up with team Diamond Fitness mate – Mike racing his first time in Daytona, dinner with the fellas and Lauren, met new friends and teammates, enjoyed the beach hotel, and got to do a relay with Lauren (and Beth…ha!)…pretty damn cool!
– Add Health to Your Life
The Healthy Giraffe 
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