WILLIAM T. RITTER: Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon - USAT South Midwest Regional Championship

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon - USAT South Midwest Regional Championship

I kick started this racing season at the Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon - USAT South Midwest Regional Championship in Shreveport, LA hosted by SportsSpectrum this weekend. I stayed with my little brother Larkin, who I now have start referring to as my younger brother has he has finally put on a few more pounds than me.

My "little" brother Larkin and I at his apartment

I was eager to see where I was at this weekend as the training with my Coach Michelle LeBlanc has been going very well. I followed the race plan almost to a T. This race featured 3 mile run, 16 mile bike, and 2 mile run on Clyde Fant Parkway.

We got off to a quick start for the first 3 mile run. A high school kid from Waco Christian Perez and Pro Triathlete from Oklahoma City Dan Tigert jumped out to a quick start. I got right behind Dan. Christian immediately put a big gap on us. I stayed right behind Dan and we were going sub 4:55 pace starting out. Surprisingly, this felt a lot better than it did back in the day when I used to could run this pace for 5k alone. Dan put a surge and caught up to Christian and I followed him. There were a couple other surges Dan put in and I was able to counter them. We both tucked in behind Christian and we were letting the young guy do the work. We had split the first mile in 5:12. Just before the turn around for the 3 mile run I pulled away then surged right after the turn. I didn't get a response from either of them so I just kept running. I had split the 2 mile at 10:35. With a mile to go to the finish Dan had caught back up to and pulled in behind me. I slowed down since he caught up to me and started saving myself for the bike, I figured I might need it. We came in together at 15:58.

The Start of the USAT South Midwest Regional Championship - Frost Yer Fanny Du

Quickly became a 3 man race.

Dan Tigert and I coming into from the first run.

Coming into T1 I had trouble buckling my helmet with gloves on and Dan was getting away. In hot pursuit I was slowly catching back up to Dan it turns out he can ride, but unfortunately a flat around mile 2 cost him the race. I slowed up for him since it was just me and him at this point to see if was going to be able to fix it. I saw him toss it in the back up of the Sportspectrum truck and I started pressing down again. The course was two loops on Clyde Fant Parkway which had 3 turnarounds. I took it super easy around these since the roads were slick and midway on the bike my calves were cramping resulting in me having to ease up towards the end. My bike split (23.4 mph, 41:01) wasn't the result I was going for but I'll take it for today

Mounting on the Cobb 55 JOF Saddle.

Heading out on the bike chasing Dan at this point.

Coming back into T2 went a lot better than T1. The second run was on a little flat running path along side Clyde Fant Parkway a mile out and back. My legs were a little wobbly starting out with a 5:41 mile split, coming back though I found some momentum and split the second mile in 5:24.

Coming into the finish.

Cresting over the top of the hill at the end.

My Dad and I cat the finish line.

My Mom and I at the finish line.

First of all praise God for a great finish this weekend and allowing me to do what I do. My parents Johnny and Glynis and my wonderful Fiancee Calley Borocz (just over a month away and I can say Beautiful Wife). My Coach Michelle LeBlanc from OutRival Racing who has been training me all winter long and has been finding some new speed and watts in these legs. Also, Extremus, Shama Cycles, and the Cobb Mobb team for standing behind me this year. Thank you so much!