JOES TO PROS EP.5: CALVIN CONQUERS HIS FIRST 70.3 TRIATHLON
It finally happened! Calvin finished his first IRONMAN 70.3! (Though technically he didn't swim, more on that in a bit.)
Hunter and Calvin are two long-time Quintana Roo employees who have never done a triathlon. In our "Joe to Pros" series, we've been following these two triathlon newbies as they prepare for their first IRONMAN 70.3. Hunter is taking on IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga in May, and Calvin just completed IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas-Little Elm last month!
In our last episode, we saw how Hunter balanced family life and raising two young kids with her training. She's been sticking to a plan courtesy of Coach Conrad Goeringer of Working Triathlete. In the background, Calvin was quietly preparing to start his first-ever triathlon race.
Calvin's IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas-Little Elm Race Recap
The Value of a Good Triathlon Coach
One of the things Calvin emphasized is how much Coach Conrad Goeringer helped him plan and prepare for his race debut. For me, this is the true value of a good coach. When it comes to creating a training plan and executing it, many athletes are likely driven and capable enough to coach themselves. But when it comes to sorting through the endless mental hurdles and uncertainty in the lead-up to a big event, having the outside perspective of an expert can change everything.
Conrad and Calvin making a pacing plan using Best Bike Split.
Coach Conrad helped Calvin dial in three key things before the race: his pacing plan (especially important considering the high wind forecast), his nutrition plan, and managing a developing knee/IT band injury. With Coach Conrad's advice, Calvin went to Dallas with a renewed sense of confidence.
Besides his coach, the Quintana Roo team on the ground also had Calvin's back. Our pro mechanics help him get his X-PR dialed before the race, just like they will for any Quintana Roo rider. They always go the extra mile to ensure our athletes have the best chance at success. In Calvin's case, that included some extra hype and stuffing him full of carbs at dinner.
Crossing the Finish
Besides his knee, the thing Calvin worried about more than anything was likely the swim, and lucky him, he caught a break on race day when the swim was canceled due to severe weather. With 25–35 mph winds and gusts over 50 mph, conditions were deemed too dangerous.
This doesn't happen often, but it's certainly a possibility. One of the keys to becoming a successful athlete is being adaptable. Races don't always go to plan, and you need to be able to roll with the punches. And boy, did Calvin roll.
With his natural enthusiasm bolstered by the cancellation of his weakest event, Calvin got on his X-PR to start the bike and went on the warpath. While many athletes struggled in the high winds, he felt right at home and made up huge time on his competitors. He followed Coach Conrad's nutrition plan perfectly.
He kept it together in the heat during the run, but around mile 10 during the run, his IT band flared up. From there, he had to employ a "hop-skip" technique to continue running. Again, the key to success is to be adaptable. Calvin kept a positive outlook, and he made it to the finish.
We're super proud of our boy, but technically, Calvin did 2/3s of his IRONMAN 70.3, so MAYBE he needs to sign up for another in the fall to get the FULL experience...
It's Hunter's Turn Next
With Calvin's IRONMAN 70.3 wrapped, we turn our attention to Hunter as she enters the final month of prep before IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga. Since Calvin's swim was cancelled, we'll only be able to compare bike and run splits, but Hunter's biggest goal is to beat Calvin. I believe she can do it! Place your bets now.
