Swim
Comments: Loved the time trial start. It was nice not to have mass chaos. Sighting was easy, but approaching the first bouy I kept drifting to the left. After that, navigation was really easy. The current helped us on the far side of the island. The rough part was beginning the 2nd loop and coming in due to the heavy winds and chop. I also had a very difficult time on the 2nd loop--I found a pocket of 3-4 people who I couldn't get around or out of their way. I felt blocked in. But overall, this was my most relaxed and mentally easy swim ever! What would you do differently?: Swim faster to go around those blocking my path. Transition 1
Comments: T1 was over a half mile away, thus the long transition time. Plus, I took time to use the bathroom and make sure I had everything and lubed up again. What would you do differently?: Bring my running shoes? Bike
Comments: I felt like I could have gone faster on the first lap, but I was glad I held back. On the second lap, my legs were fried from all the wind. There was no escaping it. I was changing to the granny gear often on the slight hills on lap 2. Also, digestion was becoming an issue. I was eating on my schedule, but I felt like I wasn't digesting anything. It was just sitting like a rock in my stomach. On lap 2 I found my special needs bag hoping I put in a sandwich, but alas, no sandwich. I wiped off my shoes and feet because I felt like there was sand in them and didn't want to get a blister. Hopped back on and off I went to the finish. Saw Steve around mile 60 and it brought me to tears... He has helped so much. What would you do differently?: Pack my sandwich for variety. Other than that, nothing. The bike is my worst and I survived it. I also felt pretty good after it, too. Transition 2
Comments: I didn't run or jump off of the bike. I wanted to make sure I stopped securely. With no one behind me, I didn't feel rushed. I was so glad to get off of that thing! What would you do differently?: I could have gone faster in the tent, but wanted to make sure I had all I needed. I found my sandwich and ate it on the way out. Run
Comments: I did exactly as I had planned in keeping the heart rate low. What I didn't do was follow my eating and drinking plan--but this wasn't a bad thing. I realized that each time I drank my formula, my stomach would bloat. Instead, i drank coke and water and each aid station while walking. After a few rounds of that, I dumped my drink and filled my bottle with water only. For eating, I couldn't tolerate my pocket fuel anymore. I ate pretzels and bananas. After a few bananas, my digestion caught up with me. (Un)fortunately, I knew I was drinking and eating enough--I had to use the bathroom often. It was more a feeling than having to go, but I at least knew I was drinking enough to produce something. That at least reassured my revised nutrition plan. I ate at about every aid station and drank something (mmm. chicken broth) to make sure my wits and kidneys were still with me. The plan was successful, but I think I could cut off about 20 minutes with fewer potty breaks. Saw Steve and the kids on the second loop so I walked with them a while and enjoyed their company. Also walked wtih a few others who I'm not sure made it or not. What would you do differently?: 1. Do not pack anything for the run. Eat on the course. I didn't use anything I packed. 2. Trust myself--I knew I didn't have to go to the bathroom that bad, but I went anyway costing me time 3. Stop at every other aid station. I played it too conservativly, I think. 4. Run faster. My pace reflects aid station and bathrooms, but I feel I could have run at a faster speed and keep it all in zone 2. Post race
Warm down: Used Norma-Tech for the first time. Pain! After being in there, my legs would not support me. Steve walked me over to the food tent where I almost barfed just looking at the food. Steve had already packed up my stuff, so he brought the van up to me, took me to the hotel and got me an ice cream sundae for dinner. Yum. Best dinner ever. What limited your ability to perform faster: Fear of an upset stomach or exhaustion on the run. I was very conservative, but I succeeded. The first one is to get it done. All others are for being faster. I have learned a lot about full distance racing from this. Also realized that the lack of digestion on the bike prevented me from having potty issues on the run which I had lots of in training. Also, the weather really wore me down after a while, BUT, 2 days prior to the race it was in the 80s and humid. The day to 3 days after the race it was in the 90s. I'll take what I was dealt, thank you very much. Event comments: With my late arrival, tents were already taken down and people went home, but the finish line was rockin'. Carried the flag as my family finished with me and I loved every minute of it. Rev3 puts on a fantastic race! Kudos to them for having a back-up swim course!!! As a side note, I wanted to get a finisher jacket upon leaving, but they were already packed up. I have the email of the person I need to contact... [email protected] Last updated: 2013-02-22 12:00 AM
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United States
REVOLUTION3 Triathlon
70F / 21C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 108/249
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 5/7
Up at 4:30, ate, applied tattoos, did all the usual things. All transition bags and special needs bags were packed and ready to be dropped off the night before, but with the threat of rain, I decided to drop them off on Sunday. All went well, but I didn't expell as I wanted to. This turned out to be a good thing in the end (pardon the pun).
The swim was moved to the other site, so we walked a half mile to swim start. We were able to bring running shoes, but I was too afraid of putting sand in them as I ran back to T1 so I planned on wearing my flip-flops. The use of trislide mede my feet too slippery, so I trotted back barefoot. I was slower than most, but this was going to be a long day--all was good.