Scott Pontague: Boulder - Catchup & Race Report

Boulder - Catchup & Race Report

Well this is the reason iv been out of blogging action...

Lesson:

Dont leave your bike near your computer!

(The bike is ok though)

FIRST OF ALL
I would like to give a shout out to Timmy Berkel! Iv been honoured to spend a lot of time training with the karate kid himself lately. If you have not been following him, Tim pulled out another awesome race at Challenge Copenhagen the other weekend to claim back 2 back Titles which now makes him a
3x Iron Distance Champion.
Well Done Buddy!

Also a big thanks to my Coach Tim Reed for putting in the countless hours to get me where I need to be. If your looking for a change in coaching and want to get the best value I definitely recommend to contact Tim from Transition Fitness.

Race Report

So for the some that have an idea on how this race ended up playing out you know this Race Report is well worth the read for a laugh or two.. So enjoy on my stupidness haha!

My Way Or The Tri Way Sprint

I was up bright n early waiting for Reedy & Monica to collect me on their way through to head off for the long 1.5hr road trip to the Aurora Res. After getting down the road and realising Reedy's phone had run out of internet and therefore maps not working for directions we had to wing it with a few stops to the gas stations on the way. We eventually stumbled across the reservoir with hearing an announcement of 20mins until race start. With a few equipment difficulties Reedy told me to go get myself sorted and focus on the race. So off I went to the registration table only to have more difficulties with my name not being on the sheets however received the confirmation email and in telling them that they quickly grabbed my details, gave me my timing chip and sent me off into transition to get ready for the race.

As i walked in to rack my bike the race officials gave me a heads up it was 9mins to race start. Trying not 2 panic I layed out all my gear got my number marked and did a quick check over. At this time I thought i still had about 4-5mins. I had a quick look for Reedy and could not see him in sight so I started to walk down to the start.

As I got to about 60metres away the gun went off and I was left sprinting my bum off to get in the water and not lose the front pack by to much to keep me in the race. I hit the water about 10seconds behind the field and by the turn of the first can I had worked my way through to almost the front pack. At this point I had doubts in my head of what was going on with not seeing Reedy or Monica pre race but thought mate your racing it doesnt matter "Win this bloody race". By the last bouy turning to head back in to land I had managed to swim through the front chase pack and put myself in second overall with the leader about 20metres ahead. My mind was now focused and it was all about having a good bike. I got into transition feeling awesome after a good swim and before I knew it was on the bike and into the lead within the first kilometre. It was a awesome little undulating course that was a bit short with a total of 17km and I averaged 39.9 km/ph. At this point I was stoked with my ride coming into T2 in first overall my best race so far to date... The legs were feeling fresh and after putting in some good running weeks I was confident I could finish it strong and hold on to first. the start of the run looped around the back of transition to where the swim start was and back alongside transition. I had a quick glimpse and noticed 2nd place was only just racking their bike which gave me approx a 2min or so lead. The legs were out to play and I was running at a decent pace with comfort with the thought of saving a little extra for the 2.5km home stretch. As I got to the 2.5km mark the lovely volunteer pointer he folder and said excellent work keep running whilst pointing down the road. A little confused with not seeing the course maps I was sure that was the turn around yet still in the zone kept pushing the pace thinking the course would loop me back around to the finish. Well sure enough after running another 2.5km I had reached no finish line but an empty aid station saying "olympic turn around"....

this would have been great if I was bloody doing the olympic race but no I was doing the sprint. There for the stupid lady back at the turn around had sent me 2.5km off course in which resulting in losing my first time overall winning chance. I decided to run back to the official sprint turn around and give the lady a bit of my thoughts. After a few friendly words were exchanged and an apology was put on the table and I hitch hiked back to transition with a friendly park ranger to in which the race director also was waiting to give an apology.

"BUT WAIT IT GETS BETTER"

In the back ground I see Reedy and Monica finishing a jog with him calling me over in which it all hit me....

THIS WAS NOT THE MY WAY OR THE TRI WAY RACE....

I had just spent my last hour busting my balls to get lead off course to in the end find out we rocked up to the wrong race. Which is why they didnt have my name at registration and I never seen reedy at the start...
None the less it was a pretty silent car ride home until we all started pissing ourselves laughing!

Good Times..!

Training

Training has been awesome with a few solid weeks. My body has finally adapted to the altitude and training is starting to feel good. Every week the training hours have been slightly increased. I am very happy with my progress with last week being a cycling focused week, I managed to bank 17.5hrs on the bike! I think thats the most iv sat in the saddle in one week to date which included the toughest 6hr ride of my life with an approx total of 2600meters of climbing and headwinds in every possible spot. The legs also got in 6hrs of running and 5.5hrs in the pool.
So come sunday I was very happy to call it a week and acknowledge I had a achieved the goals I set to hit and rewarded myself with a few beers, nachos and enchiladas :)

Some photo's from the 6hr ride of hell...

As for the other weeks heres some photo's to catch you up

Nice decent from Estes Park to Lyons

Old School Winery

It even had a fishing Pond.. Was very tempted mid ride to cast a line :)

Friday Recovery Ride - Lunch at Oscar Blues Brewery in Lyons

At the top of Super James Climb - its all nice normal road til here...

Nice sunrise on the way to an open water swim at the Res

Upcoming Races

Hyvee 5150 U.S Champs - Sept 4th

I had qualified and was scheduled to race Hyvee 5150 U.S champs for september 4th. However I have decided on a financial basis its best not to go.
Instead I am looking for a local sprint or olympic race to replace it to still get a good hit out.

Branson 70.3 - Sept 18th

This is my priority 1 race that takes place in only 3weeks. I am looking for a good result here to see how all the training in boulder has increased my race fitness. I am told the Course is very tough and is somewhat similar to the bike profile of the ITU Long Dist Worlds that I will be competing in 6 weeks after. Last years pro winner winner posted a finish time of 04:02:00 which tells its a tough day. My goal is to finish between 04:30:00 and 04:35:00. After analysing all past races my run has always been under performed. With having more bike fitness now I hope to be able to come off the bike with fresher legs to be able to run within 6% of my normal running fitness. I think a sub 01:30:00 half marathon would be a good achievement for the day with the course offering a challenging day. If I can come away with achieving those goals I know I have had a good day and can take that confidence into my last 6 weeks of preperation for Long Distance Worlds

ITU Long Distance World Champs

November 5th

I'll leave the chat on this one for a bit closer to the event however its the number 1 priority race of my season and its what I have been working hard for and the whole reason of my trip to boulder.

Thanks Again To My Awesome Sponsors