Musselman Half-Iron Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Geneva, New York
United States
Musselman Triathlon
85F / 29C
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 42m 32s
Overall Rank = 242/794
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 24/67
Pre-race routine:

Slept great in the cottage we rented 5 miles from the start. Woke up at 5:00, consumed oatmeal, toast w/PB and coffee. Started drinking Powerbar Endurance. Laurie (my wife) and I headed up to the start at 5:40. The day before, I reviewed our forecasted locations with our kids so they could cheer us on. Surprisingly, both of them were up when we left.
Event warmup:

Set-up transition area, hit the head a few times, continued consuming endurance. Just before the swim start, felt like another BM was needed, but decided to let it ride.
Swim
  • 32m 7s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 31s / 100 yards
Comments:

After observing where the previous waves started, as well as mine, I decided to stick to the inside (left). With 30 seconds to go from the start, I decided to swim for a warm-up, which was a good idea. The race started and I pushed fairly hard for 200 yards tracking by an adjacent swimmer. Moved away from the pack and quickly began running into previous waves (there were 4 ahead of me). At times I would cut far inside to get a clean path and weave back in to round the buoy. This worked very well. The turn to the canal introduced a nice current to speed up the pace. In the marina, I was within a few feet of the boats stern. The last 200 yards I started to kick, which I normally do not do. Exited the water and quickly removed the cap, goggles and unzipped.
What would you do differently?:

Overall, I was very pleased with the swim leg. It's my strength and I certainly did not push as hard as I could have if I weren't reserving energy for the rest of the race.
Transition 1
  • 02m 29s
Comments:

As usual, difficult to get the wetsuit over the lower legs and feet. Other than that, went as planned and I was very calm and focused.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing
Bike
  • 2h 50m 2s
  • 56 miles
  • 19.76 mile/hr
Comments:

I rode the course during training with my wife. It was nice to let it all hang out on the course to test my ability. There were many riders blocking, I assume some of them received penalties. Numerous times I found myself questioning my splits as they seemed much faster than I planned. A few times I intentionally did not push hard to reserve energy, but I quickly reverted back to comfortable pace. I passed the cottage at mile 50 and our kids were supposed to be there cheering us on. No kids, but after doing the math I realized I was way ahead of plan. My quads were feeling the burn and it felt good. I ate two cliff bars, 4 endorolytes and drank 1.5 large aero-bottles of endurance and heed (about 5 regular bike bottles).

At about mile 51, a biker passed me going up a hill. She slowed down and I could not pass as I heard traffic coming up behind and there was no shoulder. I waited for the traffic to pass, but by the time it did, I realized it was the USTA motorcycle! Crap! He passed me and actually stopped up ahead to get another look at me (I later learned). I received an "overtaking" penalty for not dropping back 3 bike lengths after being passed. That sucks!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Transition 2
  • 02m 43s
Comments:

It seemed like I spent a lot of time pondering whether to wear my fuel belt. I observed a few racers leaving without one, but I decided to wear it anyway. (I had a bad experience at a marathon with sweltering heat and no fuel.)

I took a quick swig of my recovery drink.
What would you do differently?:

Not wear my fuel belt.
Run
  • 2h 11m 12s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 10m 01s  min/mile
Comments:

Within 1 mile I knew wearing the fuel belt was not a good idea, it was too heavy with the large fuel belt bottles. I made a tactical decision to dump out the contents of the bottles and rely on the aid stations. I could feel the weight difference immediately. My plan was to run 2 miles @ 9:15 and walk through every other aid station. The first mile was clocked at 8:23, so I slowed way down. The second mile was more as planned. I alternated aid stations for a few miles, then decided to hit everyone, picking up two sponges for my hat, ice and heed. I put the sponges and ice under my hat and enjoyed a cold shower the entire distance. I may have also consumed a gel, I don't recall. I probably should have ate more, but my stomach was feeling blah after the cliff bars, endorolytes and being bent over during the race, so I did not want to risk it.
The run is my weakest leg and I'm pleased with the time. My half-marathon PR is 1:56.
What would you do differently?:

Stick to the plan from the start and eat more.
Post race
Warm down:

Sat in the kiddie pool to cool down and talked to my kids. Ate a slice of pizza and pushed the fluids while I waited for a massage.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Not enough run training in the heat with hills (although I did quite a bit).

Event comments:

During the run, I told myself a few times to remember how difficult it was to keep moving as this was to be my first and only HIM. It's funny, within a few hours, I was thinking about the next one!

Jeff runs a phenomenal race!!! The volunteers were outstanding!!!


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Last updated: 2010-07-18 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:32:07 | 2112 yards | 01m 31s / 100yards
Age Group: 5/67
Overall: 82/794
Performance: Good
Suit: Wetsuit
Course: "J" shape course starting from the beach to the lake and back through the marina / canal.
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 76F / 24C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:29
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
02:50:02 | 56 miles | 19.76 mile/hr
Age Group: 17/67
Overall: 184/794
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course: The course is fairly flat with one moderate climb around mile 30.
Road: Smooth  Cadence: 90
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:43
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:11:12 | 13.1 miles | 10m 01s  min/mile
Age Group: 34/67
Overall: 367/794
Performance: Average
Course: The first few miles are flat, but then the hills start. The course was very well equipped with aid stations and the occasional sprinkler.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5