Some Training Race!

Hi all, sorry it's taken me awhile to post about last Sunday's race, but I was waiting to see if Dom would first :). So last Sunday was the Westchester Toughman in Croton on Hudson (go here for the course maps: http://www.westchestertoughman.com/Course/coursemap.html). I had all intentions of using it as a training day, only pushing on the swim and bike, because I wanted to be fresh for my "A" race, the Westchester Tri (Sunday the 27th). Dom had similar intentions. Then I found out at packet pick-up on Saturday that there was big cash for placing overall, and sweet Canon cameras for age group winners. So I made the decision (but kept it to myself) that if I was in the top 5 coming off the bike, then I would push to be in the top 4 finishers.

Unexpectedly, I was the first woman out of the water. Must be all the swimming I've been doing at Longshore and Norwalk with Target...thanks Dom! Despite the hilly bike course, I managed to settle into a steady pace and hold off the other women until about mile 35/40. At that point, two women passed me. I kept them in sight for awhile, but made sure not to overexert myself too much. I kept waiting for more women to follow suit, but as I approached T2, I was in third! Now time to hold up my end of the bargain with myself on the run! Running is where I am most comfortable, but working with Dom on the track at Staples and Eneas in the brick classes really paid off on Sunday. I had fresh legs coming off the bike and maintained a consistent pace the whole 13 miles. I managed to pass the third place woman just after mile 1 and then started the climb up to Croton Gorge Park. Luckily, my legs held and I passed the lead woman at about 6.5 miles. In doing so, I picked up my mountain bike escort, George. George was fantastic, keeping me posted on any approaching women, and generally keeping my spirits lifted and mind distracted.

I saw Dom out on the course twice, once on the bike and once on the run. There was NO one around him, not even close. I knew the victory was his. Not only did he win, but he PR'ed over last year's victory by 6 minutes 20 seconds!! Some training race Dom! As for me, I was able to hold off the women and won by over 5 minutes in 5:03:16, a :21 sec PR over my Rhode Island finish in July. It was also a great day for John Baxendale attempting his first 70.3 ever! He crushed the course, placing second in his age group, pleased with his time of 4:54:06. I was proud to be crossing the finish line in my TargeTraining tri suit, and honored to share the podium win with Dom! Let's hope I can pull it all together in time for next Sunday! Hope to see a bunch of you TT-ers there with me!

BTW: The reporter did a nice job paying compliments to TargeTraining in this interview for my town's local paper: http://www.rb.westmorenews.com/atf.php?sid=10850&current_edition=2009-09-18

Comments

[rickTT]

Very cool Kristin. Exciting win! Very nice first place prize! I remember seeing Tom Danielson beat Floyd Landis up Brasstown Bald (hardest hill in Tour of Georgia -- it is brutal) and he got $2K for the day's work. So you did great!