North American MultiSport

2005 POWERMAN & GRAND PRIX

Myself, Ben Weaver, and Leslie Weaver traveled to Northern OH to compete in the Powerman OH and the Mid-Ohio Grand Prix. Ben and I competed in the newly appointed Powerman OH 2005 Duathlon and Leslie competed in the Mid-Ohio. The course is located in Lexington,OH near the infamous Mohican Pineman Ironman that was notorious for being one of the toughest long distance courses in the country. Knowing this terrain, from the racing Mohican, I new this was going to be a demanding race.

As the hotel phone rang for our wake up call, the race jitters came flooding over me. We headed over to the course to set up transition. We where lucky with the weather as it was sunny, but a little chilly, about 40. If you are not familiar with this course, it is held at the Mid-Ohio Car Race Track. The distance was 8k - 57k - 8k for the Powerman and Mid OH was 4k 30k 4k. The first run is ran over the actual race track, so picture a European F1 course with rolling hills and many twists and turns, a lot of fun. We where staggered in our age groups, getting to start with only our competition for age group slots. Ben and I (35) huddled together to stay warm before our wave started, Les was about 8 minutes behind us in her wave. I have to say that our uniforms are pretty snazzy looking compared to the normal drab of black multi sport shorts and tri tops. Dream and I where kitted out in our skinsuits, and as usual, he told me to gain some weight and I asked him why a 5" in seam tri short looks like a normal pair of cycling shorts (he is short!). That eased the tension and we stepped to the start line. We both had planned to take it easy on the first run as the bike leg was going to be extremely demanding with not much space for recovery.

Gun goes and we are off, screaming on a super fast start stretch that is a gradual down hill that leads into a cork screw turn that includes two sharp, off camber climbs. Not too much to speak of here other than it was cool to run on the track and the road was obviously in very good shape. Our first mile was run off at about 5:20, too fast for me, so I backed off and found a small group I could roll with. I ran with them for the remainder of the run. Dream was a few paces of our stride as we cruised around the course. After 2 laps we entered transition. Now, I thought I was fast at this, but I learned that my T skills have gotten rusty. You don't "transition" in bike races!

Exiting T1 I was excited to be doing something where I could hand out the punishment rather than be punished! The bike leg headed back on to the race track for a screaming lap. Once around the course we headed out into the country side. The bike course is wicked hard, you are either going 38-45mph on a screaming down hill or going 8-10mph up a grinder. I knew this course suited me, but only if I played it right. I was concerned that the 57k really wasn't long enough to be able to really take advantage of my bike strength, but I hoped that the hills would do the damage for me. As the bike started we went West into a nasty head wind so I found a strong rider to hide behind the best I could, keeping my 3 bike lengths between us. With this head wind, I still got a draft off of him that far back, it was screaming. I was able to recover and get into a good rhythm before blasting by him and setting off to pull back the 15 guys in front of me. 2-3 minutes lead, on this course, was going to be tough. The question always comes to mind....how hard should I go? Do I chance it and just rage on the bike and pray I could hold on the run, or be conservative. I decided to play it in-between the 2. My running has been suspect this Spring only being able to average at the most 2-3 runs per week before it started affecting my legs in the Pro1 bike races. As I approached the first major climb, 5 miles in, I notice a familiar kit up ahead, it's Leslie and she is looking smooth on the climb, raging on her spankin new Specialized Tri Bike and on her way to finishing 2nd in her age group and 30th overall men and women in the Mid-OH race!!! Awesome! I was waiting for Dream to come screaming up behind me at any moment. A minute on a bike is a long time, but Dream is super strong on this kind of terrain. It was a lot like Columbus, IN where he and Les live.

The first lap went by with no problems, though I was kicking myself for borrowing a time trial bike and really only putting in about 3 short rides on it before trying to race it at Powerman. Not smart! Starting the second lap my calves started cramping from the odd position on the bike. I was frustrated with this cause I was guessing I took back everyone but 3-4 riders. I eased off a little, stretched and rubbed for a moment, then cruised for a mile. The cramping went away, so I put in a little effort to catch them, but then backed off when I figured they would blow me away in the final 8k even if I catch them now. That is why I say I needed 1 more lap to really have taken advantage of the bike part. I could have taken them all back on the second lap and then really hammered that 3rd lap to get enough cushion on the run. If's and but's only count in horse shoes though!

Coming into T2 I felt ok, but I was concerned that I hadn't seen Dream yet. Either he was on a bad day, we all have them, or her flatted. He ended up packing it in right after the bike leg. I know he was frustrated with this, as we all would have been, but we all have those days where we are just flat, and can't get rolling. I had a feeling when I caught a glimpse of him, when we double back on the first run. He did not look comfortable. No biggy though as he as informed he is going to rage next Sunday at another Duathlon in OH!!!! GOOD LUCK DREAM!

The final 8k consisted of some trail running and 101 ways to make you suffer on hills no matter going up them or going down them. I was desperate after 4k, feeling my 5th or so spot coming into jeopardy. I was slowly dyeing, and it was only a matter of time before the flood gates opened and everyone started passing me. It was the runners turn to return the favor as I am sure they felt the same trying to maintain pace on the bike. How you guys run like that is amazing. I felt like an old man trying to run. Every time I went into the red I about fell over! Well, after many cone turn arounds and many people passing me, I finally caught site of the finish banner and prayed I wouldn't fall over before getting there, or just break down and start crying!

It was a great race, a fun weekend, and being out there with fellow teammates in Ben and Les was fantastic.

Leslie had an amazing race so great job to her.

Powerman Overall Results:
Matt Riggs - 15th -
Run 1 28:48 avg. 6:24
Bike 1:43:45 avg. 19.8mph
Run 2 36:53 7:26avg
Overall Time - 2:51:41
Age Group - 4th overall 35-39

Mid-Ohio Overall Results: 4k 30k 4k
Leslie Weaver -
Run 1 16:06 6:43 pace
Bike 1:05:54 Avg 16.9 mph (that rockin on that course!!!)
Run 2 17:44 7:09 pace
Overall Time - 1:43:47
Age Group - 2nd overall 25-29

Matthew C. Riggs, Citgo/Gray Goat Sports