EC FR06 – Day 3 Jeff Shilt

Epic France Day 3

Swim 50 min lake
Bike 180 k ~ 8:20
Run 10 k

What a Day!!!

Rode down the Col du Sour into Lourdes and then did a lake swim with wetsuits. Many guys were worried about the long bike and got up early to do their run, so they were a bit on the ragged side to start.

Ian rode with us yesterday on the “short ride” and blazed away early and left us behind. Today, Johnno decided to roll with us up the famous Col du Tourmalet and Lus Ardiden. For some reason, these climbs, along with Hautacam were the ones I look most forward to.

In any case, Johnno, then Gordo rolled us to the base of the Tourmalet. For those who wonder what it like “sitting in” with these guys, let me give you a little insight. As Gordo is comfortably on the front cruising steady, I was hanging on his wheel, at times 20-30 watts above my IM race pace. (For comparison sakes, I rode ~ 5:07 without transition at IM Brazil this past May). People were spitting off the back Before we got to the climb.

I wish I had the fortitude to write words to describe the climb, but it was nothing short of magnificent. I will simply say we made to the Lus Ardiden shortly before getting caught in a storm. I made two coffee stops with Jonathon and Molina on the way back and we cruised in from there. I was rolling reasonably well today but was unfortunately 2k short of a full ride. I ran out of steam and barely made it back.

Despite some initial protests, Colm and I headed out for our run. He is a class guy and certainly does Ciarrin proud, I’m sure.

Well, off to bed as I’m shot after a very long day!

J