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 Swim
Comments: As I mentioned above in the warm up, I found that the cross wind would come into play. I decided to move up current so the wind would push me toward the marker allowing me to swim free of the traffic and not have to fight the current straightaway to the marker. The problem was that several of the others figured the same way so we had a long line of swimmers across the beach (approx 25 yards) all heading to the same point. As a result, this allowed many of the slower swimmers to hit the mark at the same time as the strong ones making for a major log jamb at the mark. We had to be 10 swimmers wide and 10 rows deep but no one acted up as freestyle strokes turned to breast strokes and in unison we all cleared the mark even if at half speed. After that it was down wind and every man for himself including a surprise inclusion of several ladies (non athenas) in our wave which I had to feel sorry for as one was tucked between three huge clydesdales and me to her right. Poor thing was bumped and blasted for a good 50 yards before she gave up and pulled off. I wonder if she will be back? What would you do differently?: Big drop in time from the last race and I guess our run from the water to the T was added to the swim which made me feel better. I found in training since the last race that I am a horrible breast stroker so this was one reason for the improvement as I did not even bother with the stroke except for the first turn. I would like to train to drop another 30 seconds and then let it go at that for a while.  Transition 1
Comments: This is the area of most improvement from my first triathlon to this one. I was the 35th fastest out of the T1 and still had some issues which could have cut some time. When I got to my rack the boneheads around me must have dumped my bike so I found my gels on the ground, rubber band connector to the bike was broken off my shoe, and the velcro strap to my left shoe was yanked out of the socket which I could never get attached during the ride. Not that it killed me but still a nuisance. What would you do differently?: Try to make my transition area bigger to force the neighbors away from me, double up the rubber bands, and put a stay on the velcro so it cannot release from the clip.  Bike
Comments: My jump out of the transition was great as mounted the bike and raced out to the road before attempting to enter shoes and passed five clydesdales who I never saw again in the process. My only issue was the velco strap that was detached from one of my rackmates which I attempted to connect for at least 45 seconds while underway and finally gave up. I am sure it reduced the pull on the ride but all in all I was strong. One dude passed me but I think I caught another 6-8 from my wave who beat me out of the water. What would you do differently?: Again, I will double up the rubber bands and place a stay on the velco so the shoes will not be an issue. Transition 2
Comments: I was happy with my time in T2 but realized that my decision to step directly in the puddles caused by the tropical storm the night before in order to clean the remaining beach sand off was a bad mistake. I never have tried to put on the shoes (still riding and running without socks) with wet feet. Both feet resisted the entry into the shoes wet which burned 10 seconds. I still used the tactic gained in the BioZen clinic from the previous race by grabbing the hat, gel, and race belt to put on while running. What would you do differently?: Avoid the puddles and pray for equality in bike rack position.  Run
Comments: I knew I wanted to start faster than I had in Trilogy 2 but I could not catch my breath from the largest effort I have ever given in the previous portions. I continued to pick off the remaining big guys from my wave and only one really small dude passed me during the first 2 miles (he must of had a flat and looked to be in the 20-25 AG). I owe a strong finish to the only other runner to catch me (at 2mm) as I noticed a simple "C" on his calf but no age. From the back he looked at least in my age group so I tagged on to him. He was totally moving and continued to pull me along passing four more from the wave and the one (that I would find out later) holding second from my division. Still not knowing his age I tried to sneak past him at the finish but he was too strong. In the end I found he was in the group below me and he and I placed 4th and 5th out of our entire wave which was pretty cool given so many beat me out of the water. What would you do differently?: Interval train! While spending so much time with the swim (so I do not die) and the bike my runs are always the same and I am sinking into this 8 plus minute a mile rut. I also know that by body freaks out after the bike while trying to ramp up a run so I must mix in more training transitions from a heavy ride followed by a run to get used to it. Post race
Warm down: Absolutely nothing, as usual. My friend Vanessa ran up and told me that I had placed second in my division which was a great finish to my summer season of the Trilogy (5th in the first and 3rd in the second) and my first three triathlons ever. While chatting with friends and others awaiting the awards I realized that nothing I have even done comes close to this sport with the physical AND mental drain it places on you. I can say now that I am hooked and look forward to coming back next year for the Trilogy (hey Davide, I plan on trading places on the podium with you)! Event comments: Well done Multirace on once again moving at last minute the venue due to construction. I still like the grass in transition and the extra 2 miles of biking that Crandon offers but the swim and the run at the Marine Stadium made up for it. See you at Miami Man and again next June. Profile Album Last updated: 2009-08-08 12:00 AM
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MultiRace.com
80F / 27C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 166/629
Age Group = 40-45 Clydes185
Age Group Rank = 2/8
I have determined the best way to cheat on my Trilogy race report...go to Veloracer's report as she covers everything you need to know about conditions, course, crowds, event pics, etc. Here is her link: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...
I shall call this "race report drafting"...thanks velo for saving me time, lol.
For me, I finally kicked the habit of a big dinner and had a good sized lunch followed by light dinner and good night of rest. Arrived early enough to get the second position on the rack which was fine, however, third time in a row bad luck receiving the rack furthest from the bike exit. Therefore, I got to enjoy the long run yet again over the harsh concrete with bike and bare feet. Next year has to my way.
After short chats with friends, body marking, and chip pick up I went for a ride over the big bridge and back which was great since I was just one of about a dozen on the road in the dark (bring your lights!) with the skyline of Miami as the backdrop. Found out that we were going to have a direct headwind on the return but there is not much you can do about that. Parked the bike and jumped in the water to find the the stiff right to left wind was creating a current that moved you off your path. I was able to use this info for the swim. Lastly, since I am in the last wave (40-45 Clydesdales 185+) and need to get out of transition 35-45 minutes before my wave start I realized I should arrive in my backup pair of running shoes and take my run after set up, finish at the car, and then grab my goggles and cap for a dip in the water before the horn. As it was, it is too long to warm up and wait for 30 minutes especially if the race gets delayed as we did by 5 minutes.