Heeeeelllllllllooooooo all my crazy ass got a case of Jesse Bieber Fever fans! I’m sitting on a plane heading to Vegas. Contrary to rumors on TMZ and ET, I have not been offered a role in Hangover 3. I’m racing the 70.3 World Championships! Then we’ll see about the movie role.
Let’s get the race details out of the way before I give you what you really want which are the details of my inner thoughts, emotions, and bowel movements heading into this historic event.
WHEN – This SUNDAY, 9/9, 6:30AM Pacific
WHERE – Henderson, NV
HOW TO FOLLOW/WATCH
- Twitter – Honestly this is the best, especially because I know you’re interested in all things Jesse. Lauren will be updating from my account, @jessemthomas. A couple other twitter options are:
- @amandabalding – Friend of mine who I think will be on a moto on the bike course.
- @ironmantri – Usually provide good updates.
- @mattlieto – He’s my friend and he’s funny. I think he’s commentating.
- Ironmanlive.com or the Race Website – You may have to dig to find the right pages, but they should have a live blog and potentially some video. Just look for anything that says live Vegas/70.3/World Championships updates.
- Post other options below in comments – If anyone else knows another place to watch, or a direct link, I will make you famous if post it in the comments, famous on this blog I mean.
The Field – This is, without a doubt, the strongest field I’ve ever seen at any race ever. As I used to say in middle school and now, everyone and their mom is here. That includes my mom. The field has all the big names, something like 5 World Champions, a HyVee Winner, the winner of almost every major 70.3 in the world this year, and a magician. I made that last one up. Anyway, it’s going to be crazy, seriously. A super good field.
Luckily Chris Angel is not racing. He would be super fast at the swim.
The Venue – Three words best describe the venue, hot hot hot. Honestly, that’s the main thang on the brain for almost everyone. Even though we start at 6:30am, it will still be lower 90s for most of the run. The swim is in a lake (bad), the ride is hilly, even finishing above where it starts (good), and the run is three 4-mile loops of 2 miles gradual up, 2 miles gradual down (good I guess). It’s a tough, but honest course that in some ways suits me (hills), in some ways does not (no ice cream break).
I know I just screwed myself as this will definitely be the song in my head now.
My Thoughts Only (no Bowel Movements, your* safe):
Those of you who read my nonsense regularly know that this race is one of two key focuses of my season (the first one was Wildflower). It’s also the focus a three year plan that Matt and I created after I first joined him in late 2010. I had my first, and painful, crack at this race last year as a rookie pro off my game. In other words, I got my ass handed to me big time. It left a super sour taste in my mouth on an otherwise successful season. But I’m back with more experience, as a better athlete, and legitimately excited to see what I can achieve.
I didn’t have a wind tunnel to test my new Specialized TT helmet, so I rolled down the windows in the back of the car instead. It felt fast.
Swim – Last year, I got dropped about 23.5 seconds into the swim, and then swam-cried by myself for 25 minutes. Then the ladies who started 4 minutes behind me, came up on me. I tried to stay with them and got dropped again . Let’s just say it was a rough start to a rough day. My goal in the swim is simple – swim like I know I can. I’m faster than I’ve ever been, and I just want to capitalize on that. If I have a great swim, I could come out at the back of the front pack. If I have a good swim, I’ll come out with the second pack. If anything, I hope to be in a much better position than last year heading onto the bike.
Bike – Again, I’d like to improve significantly over my sufferfest last year where I rode 100 meters behind Julie Dibens for about 30 miles and finished with the 34th fastest bike split in the pro field. I know from this year’s races and workouts that on a good day, I can ride with just about anyone. I’m not afraid to be aggressive and ride hard. Hopefully, I’ll have some guys to ride with this year.
Yes, I got a new bike for this race. I am a very spoiled little boy. I don’t know if it’s in my head, but this bike honestly feels faster than my last one. Booyah!
Run – Simple, run my ass off. Honestly, my run has taken a back seat this year to developing my swim and bike. Last year, I used a 4th fastest run split (including a potty stop, yep, it’s called potty even in Vegas) to climb from 35th place to 17th place. I haven’t had quite the run this year, I’ve learned to ride harder and haven’t needed it to be competitive. But I’ve seen in workouts and a few races that in the right situation and under the right motivation, my run is as strong as it ever has been, and I’ll believe that every step of the way.
Overall – It’s tough to give a straight-up goal of where I want to finish in this race. The field is so strong that there are scenarios where I could have a great performance and still finish outside the top-10 (fair odds have me in a 4 way tie for 12th). I also believe that on the right day I have the tools to challenge for the podium (some others believe that as well, here & here). I don’t set hard place & time targets because it makes you focus on the wrong thing – outcome, which you have little control over – vs. the right thing – process, which you can control. So I guess I just want to perform well, do what I know my body is capable of doing, and enjoy the process. I’m looking forward to having fun and enjoy the fact that I’m in this race, healthy and confident, with an opportunity to do well. And…I’m really looking forward to some beers afterward.
Thanks so much to all of you for following along on the journey, and see you on the other side!
*update – thanks Jordan Rapp for finding this grammatical error immediately. You’re a machine, much like how you race. I’m surprised you beat my buddy Stanford b-school buddy Tom to the punch, who also likes to point out all my grammatical errors immediately. I’ll keep it up because I know how happy it makes both of you.
try the IronTrac App. *disclaimer* it uses WTC data feed. you can create a list of people to follow, plus it has historic data too. no, i don’t work for IronTrac, just like the app. oh yeah, iphone only
Awesome, thanks for posting Jake. Here’s the iPhone app link. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/irontrac/id489168542?mt=8
You go, boy! Love your stuff: the writeups, the wacky humor, the back-story. Go out there and make us all proud! And try not to get chicked.
GOOD LUCK JESSE!!!
PS – I often swim-cry too! Although I’m not a Pro, so it is a little less awkward. Yikes!
LOL!!!
1. Yes, don’t swim-cry……Hilarious!!!
2. Don’t get chicked……Even funnier!!
3. Go kick some @$$ and just give it your all…..A nice outcome will be a sweet bonus.
Will be cheering for you!!!
Crazy-@$$ fan L.
…and grammatical errors is how I got to know you all so, yes, keep them coming. But, I think your buddy Jordan is wrong in that it should be “you’re safe” because you are trying to say “no bowel movements, you are safe,” correct? correct me if I am misinterpreting…med school doesn’t typically cover grammar, but a surprising number of people I’ve met here are grammar nazis — that type A thing I guess…
ok, enough with that…
GOOD LUCK! No swim-crying. That is 2011 Jesse who also did not have a darth vader bike (your bike looks like something darth vader or batman would want).You got it. World domination. I’d bet on you if I was in Vegas.
Jesse: Go, go, go. So excited for you. Your new experience, improved swim and bike and your mental approach to this race, the competitors out there and the “process”…put you in a great, great place. Now, let’s not forget that groovy new bike (YES..you ARE spoiled!). I’ll be cheering for you from Wichita, KS!! Booyah!!!
you’ll make it to the podium! You’ll beat them all, I’m sure.
And as I’m german – well, I don’t care for grammar in this crappy language
Good Luck Jessie.
We’re back in the water on Sept. 24
haha, thanks Dan. See you & nemesis there.
I didn’t think that helmet was legal in the US, is this something new? Or perhaps since its a world championship they allow other certifications?
Anyway, awesome new bike and best of luck!
You’re right, it is legal in Europe and for World Championship races in the US. Stoked to try it!
Good luck!!! Can’t wait to cheer you on virtually!
Good luck man! You got this.
Matt is on the start list, is he out?
Pretty sure he’s not racing, he never replies to my texts so who knows. 🙂
GOOD LUCK! You’re going to rock this. Good advice for a soon to be swimmer like me, no swim-crying. Pro tip, much appreciated. Go get it!!
Super excited to watch you on the run! From a patio of a bar or something.
I will light up the body paint by them.
haha, oh god. Looking forward to it, kind of. 🙂
Best of luck Jesse. I’ll be checking on the web. I’m thinking you come from behind to take the tape.
Nice! Get some Hasselhoff!
Song for you for you during the race:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuYrRebvFHc
Go get it, Jesse!! I’m super-excited to be here in Vegas to watch you rock it live!!
Hey Jesse, Roll hard tomorrow! With your newfound swim strength, it’s your race mates who will be swim-crying! Love that running is your stable core…it’s a good sport. Had to laugh at the grammar comment…I have several close friends who watch Oiselle’s every move, hoping for a shot at grammar smack down. Finally, when all is said and done, I vote that you and Fleshman Flyer should do a Leaving Las Vegas cover, but change it to a victory, pump up song…”a life so bright…”
Good luck dude, and if your old bike needs a new home let me know 🙂
Love the paint job on the new bike. It’s got this stealth fighter thing goin on. Looks super fast! Best of luck tomorrow.
Fired up for you, Jesse, and psyched to watch this next step in your career. Get a good tune in your head and do your thing. We’ll be cheering from the Bay!
And Steve already stole my line on the ol’ red bike, but that new black one is fly. Ride it like the wind!
Good luck Jessie! Will be cheering from Eugene! And Meggie, You’re taking a major risk going toe to toe with Jordan…..trust me on that one!
go fast jesse!
Congrats, Jesse, on a great race! You toughed it out and definitely fought through some ups and downs that day… It was a pleasure to meet you (I was with Monica) after the race and to see you again at the EMJ party 🙂 Best of luck with the rest of your season, and enjoy some well deserved R&R! 🙂
Nice to meet you too! Thanks for the comment.
Another quality race report! Though it was a tough way to learn some valuable perspective on what you have achieved so far, it’s great that you perservered and finished with your head high.
By the way, anyway you can start a plan of attack on a Bikedar reading?
1st Bikedar Reading Needed: Riding Angry as Frack
Great race report, you will crush it next year.