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 Swim
Comments: Wow, felt really comfortable the whole time. Almost zero panic response. I got in with the main line of swimmers, so I may have actually drafted for the first time (not sure what it feels like). Held with that group for the first few hundred, then began to break away and passed everyone I was initially with. Felt comfortable and breathing was good - even though every time I sighted I would somehow manage to take one of the tiny little waves right in my nose and mouth. Not sure how I managed to catch every wave right in the face. Only times I began to feel some stress was when I was bumping/kicking/slapping/getting kicked/getting slapped by other swimmers - but was able to easily calm myself, keep my breathing fine and remember that I kind of like physical contact and being in a mosh pit :-). I did feel like my kick was again non-existent for about the first half, then noted after that point that it seemed to have come back, just not very strong. For about the last 150 yards I made sure to exaggerate my kicking a bit to try to get my legs a little more blood flow for the transition and bike. I did get a little cramp in my left calf as I was coming out of the water... What would you do differently?: I think my kick is finally coming along, at least in the pool. My mind/body connection, though, must use it mainly for water balance and not propulsion - because as soon as my wet suit goes on and my legs float to the top, they seem to not feel a need to kick. A little more training in my wet suit and maybe specific kicking drills in the suit might help with that. I didn't think about the cramp much until Liz noticed something on my run...Otherwise, I wouldn't do anything different - that was an awesome swim time for me!!  Transition 1
Comments: Exactly what does helmet on, suit off at same time mean? Overall happy with my T1 - hit my Garmin lap button as I came out and was ecstatic with my swim time. Found my bike rack without a hitch and was happy to see most of the other bikes still on it. Probably my best wet suit disrobing to date - had my zipper cord draped over my right shoulder, handed it back to my left hand, pulled the velcro open with my right and pulled down with my left - almost like I practiced it that way - which I didn't, I put it together on the beach between the warm-up and swim. I'm mainly typing it here so I remember the order of operations. My wetsuit only got slightly stuck on my heels, and I wasn't horribly dizzy - that calf cramp did act up a little as I got my suit off, but seemed to go away quickly. Got my helmet and glasses, pulled by bike off the rack and ran to the bike course. What would you do differently?: Hmm, not much. I should maybe actually practice taking the wetsuit off more - but getting it off dry isn't the same, and once its wet it doesn't go back on so easily. Not unhappy with my time, so not much I would change.  Bike
Comments: I definitely tried too hard for about the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the race. I wasn't being smart about the gears, kept trying to climb in bigger gears that I was not able to pedal efficiently in, and trying to muscle my way around the course - not a good idea at this race! This led to me getting tired and my lower back on my right side beginning to hurt. I finally smartened up (after reminding myself I still had to run 10k about 40 times), and got my gearing better and my spinning more efficient. I actually began to relax a little and enjoy the ride - almost never happens to me during a race. Around this time I also realized the guitar solo from Ozzy's "Iron Man" was in my head, and I think had been playing on loop (listened to it on my iPod on the way to the race - it quieted down going into transition, but started playing again about 2 miles in to the run...weird) As usual, I got passed more than I passed others on the bike, but I had the feeling I was holding my own a bit more, and others weren't totally blowing by me - and by the end of the race I was back-and-forthing with some guys on better bikes. Had one hiccup with my gels - I had them taped to my top tube, and when I ripped the first one off, I accidentally got the second one, too. I managed to save it in my back pocket and down the other without any spillage (of the gels of me). What would you do differently?: Relax at the beginning, don't expend extra effort at the expense of technique. I think my desire to try to keep up with the better cyclicsts hurt me as I tried to out-muscle the hills and wore myself out. Given the course, though, I was happy with the time. After driving it the day before, I predicted 18mph was about the best I could do on that course - and I really wasn't certain I could even do that. Someday I'll hit 20... Transition 2
Comments: I'm not confident enough in my bike handling/balance or my leg strength and coordination to actually jump off my bike while its in motion. I need to watch somebody do it and see if I can practice it. I'm majorly worried I'll stub my toes and fall hard. Got off the bike fine and ran down hill to transition. Got my bike racked, glasses and helmet off fine - just had a little issue with my socks. My feet were clammy and wet, and I had my socks and shoes in a plastic bag to keep them from getting soaked in the event that it rained. I had to sit down to actually put my socks on, but otherwise it went fine. What would you do differently?: Working on the sockless thing. I was trying it with my Vomero's, but after about 4 miles I start to get some sores/blisters that don't seem to want to callus. Not much I could have changed, otherwise.  Run
Comments: I started off probably a little faster than I should have, but that was my plan - sometimes when I start slower, I find it hard to pick up the pace later. My legs did not want to go - the quitter voice in my head said they couldn't because I ruined them on the bike, but I decided not to believe him (although I really wanted to). As usual for me, about 1.5-2 miles in I began to feel better and hit my stride, and his lasted for about 2 miles. This seems to be a normal thing for me even during training - I'm definitely a better 5k runner than 10k, and think I need to work more consistently at my speed at endurance. Tried to think about form and technique, and overall managed to keep my pace fairly steady. Quitter kept talking about my legs and the bike - I told him he was over-exaggerating. After the first loop I realized I was on pace to meet or slightly break my goal time of 45' and just tried to hang on to my pace. I usually do a lot more passing during the run, but I think my good swim and slightly better-than-expected bike had me farther ahead in the field than is my norm. I even got passed my 2 in my age group about 1/2 way through the second loop - which never happens to me! Liz saw me a few times on the run and she told me afterwards that I really looked gimpy on my left leg the first couple times she saw me. That got me thinking about the left calf cramp I had earlier - I didn't notice it while I was running, but I'm guessing the muscle may have stayed a bit tight and messed up my gait a little. What would you do differently?: I met my goal, but definitely feel that I could do a little better if I had handled the early bike better. Post race
Warm down: Got my water, tried this Endurox stuff a friend had given me and did some stretching. No post-race massage :-( What limited your ability to perform faster: Besides my issues on the first half of the bike leg, I think I performed to the best of my current abilities today. Event comments: This was my first CGI race. I had heard good things and they were all true. Every turn on the bike was clearly marked with multiple volunteers stopping traffic and directing the cyclists. The pre-race meeting the day before was to-the-point with course info. I was feeling a little ill afterwards, but what I had of the boxed lunch was very good. A bit disappointed there was no massage - really my only complaint - and I didn't stick around for the awards ceremony, so I can't comment on it. The tech t-shirt and medal rock! Both are some of the coolest I've seen. Tough course, but I think it will prep me well for the rest of the season, and I would definitely do this or another CGI event in the future. Profile Album Last updated: 2009-12-13 12:00 AM
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United States
CGI Racing
65F / 18C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 54/356
Age Group = M 30-34
Age Group Rank = 14/41
Woke up, showered, lubed, donned my tri suit and warm-ups. Liz drove us to Dunkin' Donuts so I could get a giant pre-race coffee loaded with cream and sugar. Downed my Honey Stinger Dark Chocolate Almond Pro Bar and listened to my iPod - not as much as I wanted to, since my driver didn't pay attention to how we got the park the day before. While pumping up my bike in the parking lot before we left, I snapped the little knob off the top of my valve stem, but the tire seemed to be holding air. Set up my transition, asked the guy next to me what he thought about the valve stem and he had the same idea I did - if it was still holding air, it should be fine. Walked around the park area a bit, hit the bathrooms, then decided maybe I should have the on-site bike guys take a look at the valve just to make sure. He had the same thing to say - it could be just fine, but would be safer to put a new tube in - and he also thought my tire wasn't as pumped as high as it should (by feel, not sure if this is more accurate than my tire gauge, but my gauge seemed to think it was fine). Not sure if it was sales talk, but I paid the $6 for a tube change (not bad - thanks Keswick). The dude who changed my bike told me it was in major need of a tune-up and I was set up for a failure bringing it to an event in the shape it was in. Thanks. I was already feeling major bike envy watching everybody roll their full carbon TT's with Zipp's into transition - sort of like walking into a locker room with a bunch of porn stars. Funny thing - even after my bike has had a tune-up, I can take it to another mechanic and they will tell me that it looks like it needs a tune-up. I'm wondering if they just aren't used to seeing my poor quality low-end components :-( Regardless, not exactly how I wanted to start my day. For some reason I was feeling very anxious about this race to begin with, and the bald, portly dude from Keswick didn't make me feel any better (not like that was his job, but still...)
I should actually run or bike warm-up some day at one of these. Instead, I stroll around, usually go to the bathroom 2 or 3 times, then get my wetsuit on and head for the swim warm-up. Nice thing about the transition area was it was situated between 2 actual bathrooms just far enough away that no one else seemed to figure out they were there :-)
Jumped in my wetsuit and headed into the water in the roped off swim warm-up area. Water didn't feel too bad - cold, but not unbearable. Swam the length of the area and back, adding some short sprints and a set of 3x6 drill.