Some analysis and thoughts

So, they posted race splits and I have had a couple days to look them over and analyze them.
Really, I am happy with my progress and my placing. This was a "B" race for me and I will peak for Alabama and Richmond in a couple weeks. So, without a taper and having not gone through a true peak phase yet I feel like my result was solid and does forecast good performances in my upcoming "A" races. My goal was a 5% time improvement and I hit about 4.5% improvement (I'll take it).
Now, I will say that my swim was horrible...not sure what happen but that time is not going to fly. I gave up at least 1 minute (a conservative estimate) and probably more like a minute and a half. My times in workouts are much faster then years past so I am a bit surprised by the time. Everything indicates that I should be swimming well but on raceday that wasn't the case. So, what's on the schedule for the next couple weeks? Plenty of hard open water swimming with Coach Reto...he can kick my butt 10 times over in the water so I am going to make sure he ramps up my swimming. I am fit in the water for sure so I just need some fine tuning and that is where open water workouts and Reto come in.
I think my bike was much improved and is on the way to being competitive with the pro times. I will just keep my head down and push through the hard workouts b/c what I am doing is working. If everything stays its course I think I will have very competitive bike slits in Alabama and Richmond since they are flat and tight courses. I think it is important to be patient and to focus on where I was last year and where I am now. From this perspective I am on the right track in terms of progression.
I had the 12th fastest run split so it was solid but I know I can run faster with a true peak phase and taper.
So, after analysis I know I am fit and I think my fitness is getting stronger everyday. I am in my peak phase right now so every 72 hrs I do a hard, race simulation workout and do very light workouts on the other days to make sure I am rested for the key workouts.
I placed 16th overall and was about 2:30 outside of the money (top 12 get paid). Now, they did start amateurs 2 minutes back of the pros (which I wasn't happy about) and I feel this is a disadvantage for someone like me. I would have naturally raced faster had we started with the pros so based on my poor swim, delayed start from the pros and a lack of a taper and peak I don't think I was too far off the top 12.

With this said and after talking it over with Reto, I have made the decision to apply for my Xterra Pro License. This is a big step but one that I think I need in order to become a better athlete. Some people may think this is the wrong decision but I am going to go for it. I have proven myself as an amateur and now I want to take things to the next level. I am a firm believer that training and racing with people that are faster then you makes you a stronger and a more well-rounded athlete. So, if my application goes through and I am granted an Xterra Pro License Alabama will be my first pro race. I welcome this challenge and truly feel that I can compete at a higher level. I think it will take time and patience to excel at the elite level but, at the same time, I am progressing nicely and this move is what I need to elevate my game!
So, giddy up!!! It is time for my next challenge!