Alan Potts provides interesting insights into just how injury, the elements and mechanical difficulties can conspire to make an already difficult challenge alot worse !
Alan finished 32nd in the 35-39 age group in 5 hrs 15 mins 13 seconds with splits of
Swim : 39:17 Bike 2:35:12 (puncture) Run : 1:54:23
Well done Alan !
RACE REPORT :
I entered Boulder 70.3 having recovered from injury just hoping to be able to complete the distances again. It’s been a few years since my last 70.3 in Switzerland.
I am limited to which events I can go to as they have to be in school holidays but the lure of racing in the “home of triathlon” was very appealing and I didn’t think the effects of altitude would be too bad. I was sadly mistaken on that point. Although the swim course was great, nice and simple, flat water and never having to look into the sun, I found oxygen very hard to come by. I had been out the day before so having to work for the breath on every stroke was thankfully not a surprise on race day. Next time I will need to go a bit earlier and acclimatize!
I loved the bike course, super fast, smooth tarmac, some nice scenery and long straight sections to really settle into a nice rhythm, I had plenty of people to pass and was flying until I got my first ever puncture in competition. This added 10 minutes to my time but with the aid of some very friendly and helpful locals I was back on my way without too much fuss.
The run was tough. It was hot! I thought I had got my hydration right on the bike but by the time the first aid station was coming up I was desperate for the fluids. Unfortunately I took on too much and spent the next 10 km paying for it!! It was a nice course around the Boulder reservoir, mainly on gravel paths with only gentle rises, not much shade though so nowhere to escape the heat. This took its toll and I struggled to keep a decent pace. A lack of run training over the last couple of years through injury meant I did not have the strength I wanted over this distance and had to settle for a slower time than I wanted. I will take encouragement though from the number of people that resorted to walking a lot of it, due in no small part to the heat, at least I pushed on and kept the legs turning to run!
I loved the town of Boulder, such a beautiful place to visit and a trip out into the national park and up Boulder creek the day after the race really showed off the area. It was a very well run event that I would happily recommend to anyone thinking of doing it. Just be prepared for that altitude to have an effect.
