Winning the relay at Toughman!

Toughman Relay report

by TTEndurance Member Andrew Udell

Last Sunday I competed in the Toughman Half Iron Triathlon relay in Croton on Hudson, NY.  Since I sold my running shoes 15 years ago, and I haven't ventured into the pool for about the same period of time, I stick to the bike leg only.  I've formed a team with two friends and we have now been competing in these events for about 4 years. Scheduling 3 or 4 races a year keeps me motivated in my training throughout the year.   In addition, thanks to excellent coaching, better technology, and hard work my times have improved over that time. From a technology standpoint, over the last 4 years I have added an aero helmet, a time trial bike, and racing wheels - all of which certainly help.  

As is the case with all of the relays we've competed in, our swimmer came out of the water in a top 3 position.  Typically, our races are won or lost with the bike leg.  This time I headed out onto the course, which consists of two laps up and down a 20 something mile section of Rte 9A in Westchester County, in 3rd place.  The course began with the first few miles mostly heading uphill.  At about mile 2 I passed one of the other relay bikers, who may have been riding a tricycle (to be clear this was not that I was going so fast…I think they may still be on the course).  While climbing I saw the lead relay biker ahead.  I passed him about 100 yards before the first turnaround.  I had been speaking to him while we were waiting in transition, so we were both aware of each other.  The next turnaround was around mile 20.  At that point I was able to see that I was about 1 minute ahead of him. My lead kept growing with each turnaround thereafter.  At about mile 48 I passed a non-relay biker who blurted out "you are the first biker to pass me today" … 5 miles later he passed me and I said to him "you look just like the guy that was only passed by 1 rider today".  I was unable to pass him again due to a no-pass zone heading back to the transition station.  I came into transition a few seconds after him and our runner had a little more than a 6 minute lead over the next relay team.  

Similar to our swimmer, our runner typically posts the top 3 running times against other relay runners.  This was the first time I can remember that he had the lead to start the run.  He had a 6 minute lead over the second team and about an 11 minute lead over the 3rd relay team and was able to secure the overall victory.

I was pleased with my bike effort.  While my time was a little slower than the prior year, it was a lot windier and on a comparative basis I did much better posting the fastest relay bike time and the 8th fastest bike time of all participants.  I wanted to thank Eneas, and the other coaches at TTEndurance, as well as the members I typically train along side in classes and group rides.  All assist in pushing me while making the training sessions fun.  Well, fun might not be the right word…how about 'less painful'??  In any event, a consistent training regimen while focusing on my power numbers paid off for me this summer.  

Thanks again to all!

Comments

[Glenn B]

Wow, Andy, great job. How'd the dismount at the finish go?