It’s been a while since I have raced. 6 months is not that long, but a week out from the race and it feels like it has been forever ago. The nerves struck me today, this is why you do the early season races. Theme: Early Season Race It’s all practice. I’ll still get plenty nervous, but I need to get used to that too. The temperature is forecasted to be nice but nice in FL in March is scorching for someone who really has not run in anything over 40 degrees in months.

I am the 2021 National Champion! Day Before I was concerned going into the race as my back and ankles/calves had been an issue in the long course championships in NY the previous month. We got up to Clermont the day before and got in a swim/bike at the venue. The swim was not great but that is normal. It is rare to feel good the day before without a lot of swimming.

Predicted Temps: low 54, high 72 Pre-race: Good warmup - get your run in, adjust the wetsuit, they do allow for water warmups. Nothing special, good chance that the swim is short. Take it a little easy up front. Focus on form Bike Plan: 30oz in center - 300-400 cals 20oz in bottle - 250-300 cals 2 500ft climbs. Seems pretty hilly, but 4 notable climbs, only 2 of which are large.

Arrive on Friday: Rodeway Inn University 835 South 5th Ave. Pocatello, ID, 83201, US (208) 233-0451 Bring breakfast: 800 cals 2 bananas lots of applesauce toast/bread? gatorade Race starts at 6:30 at 235 Park St, Inkom, ID 83245 Packet pickup is 6am! 4 Mountains: Crystal - 1950ft over 21 miles, last 5 timed (last 3 miles are steepest) Scout - 2000ft over 23 miles, last 5 timed (pretty even and looks much shorter than they say) Pebble - 2200ft over 11 miles, last 4 timed (looks hardest by a lot) Buckskin - 1750 over 25 miles, last 5 timed (note false summit, looks easiest by a lot)

Great race overall. 8th place in my division (updated: 7th). Pre-race:  Feeling more sore than normal. The back in particular has been causing me some issues. The calves felt a little tight but not really a concern and I did not feel anything while racing. A good warmup with several quick spurts. I was fortunate to be able to run to the far side where the swim course was. It allowed me to see the whole course and also see where people were swimming.