Race report St George Utah 70.3 by Eugene Partridge

Date: 6 May 2017

Weather: St George area was setting records for early season race.
 
St George Utah is located on north edge of Mohave desert, the town sits a 3000 feet. The closest adjacent town is called Hurricane! hmm! Make one wonder about the wind. 

4 am temps on bus ride to Sandy Hollow 80 degrees. 
Water temps 61 degrees wet suit worthy. 


The swim: men age 60 and older wave 13 around 7:21 am. Sandy Hollow is water reservoir serving st George.  My goal was 35 minutes my time 39. Rough water conditions secondary to 8 mph wind gusts. The water seemed cold to me, much cooler than my practice a day earlier. While disappointed with my time I happy to be less than 40 minutes.


T 1:  4 minutes, I had some trouble getting right sleeve over my Garmin.  volunteers we great and really patient.  Shoes socks, shades gloves all went with out a hitch I was on my Cervelo P5 in under 5 minutes. Love my new bike.


56 mile cycle: my goal was 3 hours.  My time around 3:20. Age groupers had some pretty hefty frontal and side winds to contend with. Staying in aero was an important discipline.  The cycle features two climbs within the first ten miles, holding my position and not loosing ground was important and would serve me as we approached the snow canyon climb. This is epic 8 mile climb, the 2 miles of this section with 8 degree in steepness. 5-8mph in this section. Really hot in here with day time temps around 95 degrees.the final 8 miles all down hill was met with a wicked head wind I was able to get up to 21-22 mph


T2: also 4 minutes, I was happy with that. I had no issues with shoes visor belt and number. I had planned on changing socks but did not. The first 4 miles is all up hill so one needs to be patient while getting  un tracked, staying hydrated in this section is key and served me well for the miles ahead. My goal was to run the second half faster, all could muster was to maintain my pace and try to stay focused. 


I am over all pleased to overcome the heat and wind of this day the spectators and volunteers at St George were really great, my hats off to them. I'm proud to race for RTB, and get my plans @ 4 keys from Endurace Nation.


It's on to Boulder🏊🏃

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