Chapter Closed 09/11/2010
 
To keep in line with my order of priorities; family, work then training, it has taken me longer than planned to summarize my experience in Edinburgh Scotland and the big race.  Since leaving and my return, life has been a whirlwind of events and catching up.  I’m doing my best to keep up, recover and enjoy this time following accomplishing the goals I set out to do early this past winter. 
        In customs my last questioner asked me, “So what was your business in Edinburgh.”  
“I was in a race.”  
“Did you win?”   
“No, I was 32nd in my age group.”  
“Any prize money?  Nothing, say …in the range of $10,000 or more?” 
“Nope... just a great experience. Now I’m ready to be back to see my wife and kids.” “Alright Mr. Carrier. Welcome back and congratulations. You can proceed through that gate.” 

The sight of my kids after getting through customs was something I will never forget: Picture two girls screaming and doing the victory-daddy-is-home-dance while on-lookers chuckle.  I only wish I had my camera ready to get them running toward me but the vision was clearly pressed into my memory.  After a flurry of hugs and a rapid exit to the minivan we were on our way.  Within minutes both girls were asleep; their journey of daddy being gone for 6 days was finally over.
        So, how was the race and trip???  Well, I arrived to Scotland on Thursday afternoon after a long flight and taxi drive ~14 hours with little to no sleep.  Getting my bike up the stairs left me sweaty and starving.  The “Athletes Village” was essentially a dormitory for a local university that rents rooms out for events.  The place was alive with very fit international athletes and numerous bike boxes being dragged around the campus, each of us trying to find our beds.  Once in my room, I assembled my bike and then left for the dining commons to eat with the other athletes for our first meeting.  The food was simple, nothing outstanding but I was able to pick through the options to find what I needed.  I was happy enough to find a cappuccino/espresso machine to use in the morning.  As is most typical during sudden large mass gathering of strangers, most quickly grouped themselves with their nation, something familiar, but there were also some mingling, mostly the experienced age groupers that knew each other from past competitions.  During my stay I became aware of this duathlon-worlds cult group of age groupers, some of them having competed for the past 20 years!  They often had old “Worlds” team USA jackets, patches, tattoos and of course plenty of vibrant stories.  Some of the athletes seemed bent on the attitude, “If I can’t win at this age group, maybe I will outlive the others.”  Still, it mostly seemed like a chance to meet up with old friends and repeat that excitement for competition in a foreign land and to show off their fitness.  
        Friday was a flurry of registration, pre-race massage, eating, riding the bike course and a meeting with Team USA to learn of the rules in the event.  Oh yes, rules, plenty of them from ITU; No drafting (of course), no taking your helmet off when touching your bike, no throwing trash other than the designated locations, tri-suit must be zipped at all times, and our numbers (which were enormous and covered my team USA logo) could not be folded when pinning to allow viewing of the sponsor; GE.  If we were to commit an infraction of any of the above we could be penalized by sitting by the course for two minutes.  We were informed that disk wheels were likely to be banned due to some cross-winds on the course.  Ugh, I had only brought one set of wheels, a heavy aero front and heavy disk.  After riding the course later in the day, I realized that I brought the wrong bike and wheels.  This was a very technical course with plenty of turns, narrow roads and fast descents with ~70% of each of the 5 laps spent climbing with grades as steep as 15%.  A TT bike appeared to be a disadvantage to me; approximately 95% of the bikes were road rigs with light climbing wheels.  Apparently, I  (we) did not evaluate the course well-enough but still I hoped it would not hinder me significantly.  I only had one bike and one set of wheels so I was relieved when ITU proclaimed they were allowing disks.
        The night before the race, I lined everything up, did some reading, put my legs up, meditated and kept sipping water.  I thought the excitement might keep me up but I eventually went to sleep.  More importantly, I was able to get in 8 hours the night before.  I awoke to fresh legs and a relaxed mind (maybe a few nerves).  I ate breakfast about 4 hours in advance and my start time was 12:45.  At the course, we were quickly corralled like sheep into a gated area which fit about 10 runners across.  I put myself in the back knowing the first run pace was going to be fast and furious. I thought many of the fast runners were used to being at the front of races and would aim to do so to get any advantage.  After the gun went off, I thought, “Nice and steady, hold back, hold back.”  The 4 laps of ~1.5 miles were an out and back up a gradual climb that had a brief steep section with a quick turn-around and then fast descent back to the flat section.   I was able to pass a few runners in laps 3 and 4 but there were some very fast runners well into their bike ride as I entered T1.  I was quick on my first transition (for me) about 1 minute and there was plenty of distance to cover to get on our bikes (all the practice helped).  Immediately, I encountered my first hill and grinded my way for a few minutes before a down hill section of out and back with a return climb and then a right turn up the steepest part of the course which was a mile climb that topped out at 15% grade.  Once over the hill we descended a narrow technical 8 foot wide Tarmac path with bails of hay on the turns where I reached 50 mph on some sections.  We repeated the loop 5 times and my legs felt the climbing by lap 3.  I was able to pass a significant number on the bike some of  them were in the 30-34 age group which started at the same time as our group, the 35-39’ers.
        Quickly off the bike into T2, I realized there would not be much speed in my legs after the challenging bike leg but I also knew everyone was in the same boat.  I gave it my all to keep moving and I was able to pass a few. My breathing was fine and not the issue but my legs wouldn’t turn over any faster.  Eventually, the finish came into sight and I crossed it, totally spent from the effort, but feeling so great and exhilarated.   My goal had been accomplished; 2010 Duathlon World Championship, finished, safely, in the middle of the pack and feeling good.  
        Looking over the results I believe, yes, I may have been able to do better with more training, the right bike and more race experience but I am in fact very happy and satisfied with my result. For me to be at this competition with limited training time, two young kids and working full-time away from my house 50 hours a week, this accomplishment is what I am most proud of.  I am willing to make some sacrifices to train but I’ll only go so far and keep my family and work balance intact. This trip and experience was well-worth the sacrifices I made during the year.  I could not have done this without the support of friends and my wife Sarah.  I would also like to give a special thanks to Roger Young, Marti Shea, Joe Tonon, Shawn Gavin and Crystal Anthony for their extended support with funding, training advice and a bike travel box to get there and back.  Time to relax… for a bit ; )
 


Comments

Shawn
09/11/2010 04:47

Cheers Scott! A lot to be proud of here, including the race. Enjoy the R&R.

Reply
Jeff
09/16/2010 12:39

Scott way to go!

Reply
Paul
09/16/2010 12:40

Awesome Scott!

Reply



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