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 Swim
Comments: This wasn't one of my better swims. I took in so much water in the first 200m or so that I started to feel bloated and a little nauseous which was a first for me. I spent the next 200-300m tried to belch when taking a breath. There were 165 in our wave but contact was pretty minimal given the size of the wave and that I was right in the middle. I eventually got into a rhythm after about 600m or so. I made it up the slippery bridge and when I looked at my watch it was over 23 minutes which I wasn't all that surprised at given my swim volume was not as good as it was this time last year. What would you do differently?: Not sure.  Transition 1
Comments: I've never been quick at transitions and it's not like I'm going for a Team USA spot. The wetsuit did come off fairly quickly by my standards. The disposable timing chip was not an issue. What would you do differently?: Not sure.  Bike
Comments: I still don't leave my shoes on the pedals so I did my short little run with the cleats on. In almost every race I do I pass one or more people moving slowly out of T1 trying to get their feet secured in their shoes. That's probably why I don't try it, don't want to be one of them I guess. It's something you have to practice for sure. The first few miles I held back some so my HR could settle down and my legs were not really loosened up. Maybe if I'd kick more during the swim this would not be a problem. I don't use any gadgets when I ride, I have no idea what my speed, cadence or power is I just ride. As usual, I pass a couple of guys going up the first incline later to be passed by one of them going slightly downhill. For a guy like me at 190# you'd think the opposite would occur, slow down uphill, faster downhill. As I was heading back towards transition on Lincoln Memorial Dr. I picked up the race and went into full scrunch turtle time trial mode and passed a few riders. Next up was the ascent over the Hoan bridge, which was really the only "hill" in this race. I powered up that thing just like any other climb I'd see on my training rides. When I crested the bridge I didn't slow down much and accelerated until I could just coast down and catch a breather. It's really fun to ride on a closed off highway although with all the road construction it lost a bit of its aesthetically pleasing qualities. At least on my leg, I didn't see riders packed together as much as I did last year. I heard quite a few penalties were issued. I did my best to stay off of peoples wheels. A few times a dude would pass me then slow down quite a bit to where I really have to back off big time which actually sucks during a race. I would go back and forth with a few riders on the way back towards the bridge. What would you do differently?: Not much. I can only get faster by training better/more and looking at aerodynamics etc. Transition 2
Comments: Typical transition for me. Went pretty smooth actually. What would you do differently?: Nada  Run
Comments: This is where I knew I wouldn't perform well, especially against the nations best. But given my lack of running this year I'm OK with it. The first couple miles I just took it easy and actually I felt pretty sluggish. Miles 3, 4 and 5 I actually was able to pick up the pace a bit and I actually felt much better. Then as I approached the mile 5 marker a little fatigue started to settle in and it was work from there on in. The course was great, so were the volunteers. What would you do differently?: Nothing really, I ran to my current ability. Post race
Warm down: Crossed the finish line, saw my daughter then walked over to the expo area to get some food. What limited your ability to perform faster: Lack of swim and run volume. Event comments: This race we very well organized, not an easy task with 2500 or more athletes. The commentary during and between the swim starts was entertaining and I really liked the sound effects when each wave got handed over to the starter. The volunteers were excellent and there were plenty of them. Packet pickup and bike check in were very smooth. Oh, and the big screen showing the finishers, that was a nice touch! My only "gripe" was getting something to drink post race. While at the food area at the expo, they said I had to go across the street for drinks. But you had to wait in a long line along with spectators, families, friends etc. to get something. I know there's a lot involved in dealing with dairy products but the first thing I want after a 2+ hour race is chocolate milk. Not a big deal, the race was top notch. Profile Album Last updated: 2015-08-10 12:00 AM
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Overall Rank = 634/2611
Age Group = M45-49
Age Group Rank = 75/162
I did this race last year and enjoyed it so much I decided to go again. I was prepared to travel to the regional qualifier in case I didn't make it at a local race. Luckily for me I got in, I was actually 2nd in my AG but first in my AG was the overall winner and he was pulled out of AG awards. Thanks for being so fast Kevin!
I was in better swim and run shape this time last year so I knew a PR was most likely not going to happen but I was hoping to at least PR the bike leg. My daughter and I left Kansas City Friday morning at 6:00 AM, rolled into Milwaukee around 3:00 took a while to get to Discovery World as ramps were closed and I didn't know the area very well. Finally got to packet pickup around 3:30. New this year was the disposable timing chip. I was just hoping the thing would not come off, especially during wetsuit removal. Walked my bike through, put the sticker on the seat-post and took it into transition. We walked around a bit, I showed my daughter where the swim went, showed her the bridge should could stand on while I swim under it. Showed her the bridge and how I would use that to site during the swim.
This would be a very quick and uneventful weekend for us as we would need to pack everything up after the race and head back home as she needed to be at work Sunday. All the restaurants in town had 1 hour waits or longer so we drove towards the hotel by the airport and ended up eating out that direction. I got a good deal on the hotel since my TTT teammate opted out of the race so I was able to get her reservation transferred to me.
Woke up at 5:00, took a warmup shower, put the Tri-Tats on and headed up the highway. We took a parking spot about a half mile from the finish line area which was good because after the race a lot of people were trying to leave the nearby parking garages with hundreds of athletes walking their bikes on the sidewalks so the cars had to wait a bit.
I was in transition by 6:45, what a site to see compared to our small local triathlons. We had to be out of transition by 7:30 and my wave was at 9:40. At around 7:15 or so you could see some skydivers in the air coming towards the swim start area. Around the time the national anthem was finishing up the last skydiver came in carrying a USAT Flag. I told my daughter they were going to land in the water, she didn't believe me....they did.
We watched the first wave go off (M30-34) they walked to the bridge that everyone swims under. We hung out there for 15-20 minutes then I found a spot on the grass to lie down and relax. Last year we had a pretty good contingent from the KC area but this year only a few but it was year 3 so that was understandable and also some were probably doing worlds in Chicago a few weeks later.
I did a very short warm-up swim just to get acclimated to the cold water, it was around 65 or so in my estimation.