Racing for Recovery Triathlon - Sprint
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Racing for Recovery Triathlon - Sprint - TriathlonSprint
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Swim
Comments: Had some bad swim mojo going right from the start. As I was putting the top half of my wet suit on I tore it on the sleeve. The rip wasn't that big and there was no way I was going without a wetsuit (lake was a balmy 65) so I just went with it. Wet suit didn't flood so it was no big deal. Swim start was brutal, got kicked (or maybe punched) in the jaw, as soon as I recovered from that I had my goggles knocked off. Decided enough was enough, got my goggles readjusted and intentionally swam offline to avoid some traffic. Was able to get into a nice rhythm but never could find a drafting buddy. Not sure if it was because the lake was so choppy or the first race of the year, but I had a lot of trouble navigating the first third of the race. At one point, I think I had drifted about 50m from the buoy lines. Made an adjustment at this point: started breathing to the left, I could use the shore to help me sight, and I wasn't swallowing as much water. Last half of the swim went really good. Felt strong and smooth in the water, and was maintaining a fairly straight line. Minor congestion at the turn buoy but nothing out of the ordinary though. Swam until I started hitting bottom, did a dolphin dive and then ran it in. What would you do differently?: A little disappointed in this swim, but not sure what I would do different. I felt strong. I know navigation problems and chop accounted for some of the problems, but I was shooting for sub 20 minutes on the swim. Transition 1
Comments: T1 was fairly good. Only major problem was the wetsuit getting stuck on both ankles. Shoes and socks on, helmet on and I was off. Started running with my bike on my left. I have a mental block and for whatever reason can't mount this way. Tried to switch it on the run, lost my grip and ended up dragging the bike for a little bit. Recovered from that, got past the timing mat, made a clean mount and I was off. What would you do differently?: Practice more. I hardly ever practice T1 and it showed. Bike
Comments: Overall the bike was pretty uneventful. Half mile of REALLY rough road at the start (and then again at the end). Once I got past that, I hammered a little harder than planned to try and make up for lost swim time. Don't know if it was intentional or just inexperienced riders, but there was a lot of blocking going on. I think I had to ask (I tried to be polite and say please) at least ten riders to move to the right so I could pass them. Got a little mad on the way back in when I got passed by one of the local tri clubs executing a perfect pace line (would have made any tour de france team proud). Just let it go and trusted that the race gods would take their vengeance at another time. Course was listed at 12 miles but the sign at the turnaround said 10k and my bike computer read 12.5 miles so I think it was actually a 20k. Not really important as everybody does the same course. What would you do differently?: This was a good bike for me, but I think I could have pushed a little harder. Transition 2
Comments: Perfect execution of the flying dismount. I think there were four people in transition when I got there and beat them all out. What would you do differently?: Absolutely nothing. Fastest T2 overall. Run
Comments: Run was great. Pushed a little harder than normal in the first mile as I wanted to catch up to the group in front of me. Got by them and then settled in very nicely. Some minor stomach cramps to start (too much of Lake Erie swishing around the gullet) so I didn't take in too much nutrition (half a cup of heed for the whole race). Started to fade just a bit at the end, but the only guy that got around me was someone I had already passed. Think I moved up three overall places and one age group pace during the run. What would you do differently?: During the race, not much. Need some more tempo runs in the training to build strength/stamina so I keep the pace going and not fade at the end. Post race
Warm down: Walked around a bit. Watched the rest of the field finish. What limited your ability to perform faster: Didn't taper for this so I wasn't coming in fresh. Run stamina and bike power need a little more work. Event comments: This is the third year that this race has been Sterling State park and it is really coming together. My only complaint is the half mile of really rough road. Plenty of volunteers, great post race food. Last updated: 2009-03-11 12:00 AM
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2009-06-08 10:10 AM |
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2009-06-08 2:31 PM in reply to: #2201874 |
General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
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United States
Racing for Recovery and 3 Disciplines
72F / 22C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 22/111
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 6/15
Normal routine here, got up had a cup of coffee and the normal pre-race breakfast (toast with peanut butter). Got to the race early, partially setup transition and then waited in the truck for about an hour for some thunderstorms to clear the area. After the thunderstorms, finished setting up transition and then headed to the beach.
An easy spin on the bike just to work through the gears. A short run with a few accelerations to race pace.