Rocky Gap Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint


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Flintstone, Maryland
United States
Cumberland YMCA
Overcast
Total Time = 1h 17m 56s
Overall Rank = 137/207
Age Group = 40-45
Age Group Rank = 16/20
Pre-race routine:

We drove up the night before for bike check and racking. Very glad that we did this; I took my time in scoping out the transition area and exits. Drove the bike and run course. Discovered quite a decent hill at the beginning of the run...
I didn't get a good night's sleep at all. So I hoped that the race nerves would get me through the morning. Showered, ate a bagel with peanut butter, half a power bar, HEED and gel. With the later start time (9 am), I wasn't sure about how much to eat. Set up the rest of my area; watched the international racers come through T1 and T2.
Event warmup:

Since the swim started from a different area, I decided to swim to the start from the transition area. This was a good warm up for me - approx. 150 yards.
Swim
  • 10m 39s
  • 400 meters
  • 02m 40s / 100 meters
Comments:

The men started in a wave 2 minutes before the women did. I did not pee in my wetsuit to calm my nerves, as I was advised by someone... I didn't start in a good position; I was behind several breast-strokers and doggie paddlers, and I knew I was stronger than that. So I managed to navigate through that crowd, and got into more of a rhythm. My sighting was terrible; I couldn't see the bouy at all. I was really depending on all of the people around me to swim in the right direction. With about 50 yards to the bouy, I finally get a good look at it, and swim right for it. Many people were hovering around the bouy, so I took that as my opportunity to plow ahead, so I did. More open water - until I reached the men. :) That was a good feeling to catch up to that wave. I swam strong to the finish, even while others were starting to walk (and I did pass those people - just like Kip said I would :)). Really psyched about my time here.
What would you do differently?:

1. Start my watch correctly! Didn't do that at the start. moron.
2. Start in a better position.
3. Find larger objects to sight
Transition 1
  • 02m 28s
Comments:

This transition went pretty well. I have to admit it's a great feeling to get out of the water and see so many bikes still racked.:) I took a path through the area that I had figured out the previous night that had fewer rocks/more soft grass. No one in my row had made it out of the water yet. My arms were still difficult to get out of the wetsuit, but they were free by the time I reached my spot. I stayed calm while I got the suit off my heels; I didn't have to sit down. Shoes, glasses, helmet, and bike and I'm off. 9/20 in AG.
What would you do differently?:

Just practice taking off my wetsuit more.
Bike
  • 34m 10s
  • 8 miles
  • 14.05 mile/hr
Comments:

The bike course was comparable to where I've been riding in Middletown, so the hills didn't freak me out. I think this ride was really great for me. (Forgot to set my bike computer. dumba$$). I did get passed by plenty of people, and I expected that. Linda passed me around mile 6-7. But I was really happy with my speeds and efforts on the hills. Ironically, I think I lost some time at the end of the route once we re-entered the parking lots; it hit me that I never really ride around pylons and make turns, so I think I took that section too conservatively. Then came my dismounting - my most stressful section of the race - and it went great! Just like I had practiced in my court a dozen times two days earlier. My daughter even yelled, "Mommy - you didn't fall!" Another small victory.
What would you do differently?:

Need to practice and get more comfortable on my bike.
Transition 2
  • 01m
Comments:

(Estimated time) I think this T went really well. Although I was slow running through the area with my cycling shoes on, once I got to my spot I was quick. Racked bike, helmet off, shoes off, running shoes slipped on, grabbed my hat and race belt, and took a last swig of HEED. My younger daughter yelled, "Mommy - you're so fast!" I yelled back, "Maybe I'll win!!" :)Ran out to the course and put on my hat and race belt. Ready to run like the wind.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. It went as planned.
Run
  • 29m 41s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 09m 32s  min/mile
Comments:

This went about as I expected. The first mile was kind of slow and labored, especially with the large hill in mile 1. But I pushed through; only walked at the water stations. Managed to pass several people on the run. The small stint into the woods felt good - it was cooler and shaded. I know now that I saw the leaders on their home stretch. Nice that I was on the run course while they were still on there, too. Saw Dave and Linda a couple times on the course. I was able to finish strong, and was able to smile and wave to my fan club at the finish line. I think I averaged about 10 minute miles.
What would you do differently?:

Run faster.
Post race
Warm down:

Talking to people I had met; swapping stories.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

My talent.

Event comments:

I'm really glad I did this race. I think it was just right for my abilities. It's nice to have my first OWS race under my belt. It was really a treat to make it a "destination race" where my whole family attended, and we stayed at the lodge on site. They really enjoyed seeing a whole race from start to finish, and all of the behind-the-scenes as well. We all got a kick at seeing so many people at the lodge afterward with numbers written on their arms and legs. :)


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Last updated: 2010-05-30 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:10:39 | 400 meters | 02m 40s / 100meters
Age Group: 7/20
Overall: 112/207
Performance: Good
Suit: wetsuit
Course: This was a "point-to-point" swim, with an angle to a bouy from a dock, to an angle to a different beach where the transition area was. It was kind of intimidating seeing the entire swim "stretched out" into one length - it looked really far! But I knew that 400 was totally manageable for me.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:28
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
00:34:10 | 08 miles | 14.05 mile/hr
Age Group: 14/20
Overall: 157/207
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course:
Road: Smooth Wet Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 01:00
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:29:41 | 03.11 miles | 09m 32s  min/mile
Age Group: 15/20
Overall: 136/207
Performance: Good
Course: Moderately hilly. A short segment was run on an "off-road" path.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? No
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4