Heritage Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Make my way as far left so I can see the crowd and not have to sight. Countdown from 5 and I'm off. This was probably the worst start to an OWS I've experienced. Well, except for playtri without the wetsuit on. It was pure mayhem. Was there a sign on my back that said please kick me and punch me? I got knocked around pretty good. The first 200 meters were more like a wrestling match than a swim. Next thing I know I've somehow made it inside the buoy. How the hell did this happen? I started on the far left! Have to swim sideways for about 5-10 seconds to get back on course. Finally we get some spacing around the first buoy. For the life of me I can't find a person to draft off of. At least I started swimming straight. Still catch the occasional contact. I'm guessing it's my fault since I zigzag alot, but I thought I was going fairly straight after the first buoy. Pretty uneventful after the second buoy. I finally found somebody to catch a little draft from, but it didn't last long. The water level had covered the wall into the beach, but it was roped off so that wasn't bad. But I really had to run a long way in knee deep water. Kept my knees high and ran. I considered using the dolphining technique I've learned, but the water was way too shallow. I like to think this slowed me down a bit, because I'm not too thrilled with my swim time. After getting out of the water I was straight up exhausted. And I don't think it was because of swimming.

Ok, the swim needs some work. If you look at my numbers against the top finishers, my swim time is the one thing that is really holding me back. I knew this coming in, but I didn't think the margin between was that great. As I progress to the longer races as I plan on doing soon, I know the swim will become less important. But regardless, if I want to be competitive, this is an area that needs definite improvement.

First, I thanked God that I was out of the water. Took the swim cap and goggles off while running in. Tossed them down, shades on, helmet on, I'm off. No problems at all.

Nothing. One of 7 people in the entire field with sub 30 second T1's.

It's about time I'm on the bike. Now I can start gaining some ground. Takes a while to get into my shoes. Get passed by a couple of people while I'm trying to get in. But I finally get going. Start off with an immediate hill to get on the main road. No problems here. From this point on it's rolling hills for a majority of the course. Drop a gel about 2-3 mile in. Pass a fair share of people early. The hills remained pretty consistent. Nothing overly impressive, but consistent. Have to slow down to the 14-16 range going up on most, and then 28-32 going down. Finally hit a flat section and I close in on people easily on the flats. The bike is working magnificently. So fast. Shifts effortlessly. I'd like to drop the handlebars a bit, and might do so this week sometime to see how it feels. It's too good a bike for me. I need to improve to be a worthy rider. Back to the race. Right before the turnaround I hear someone yelling at me really loud. Knew it had to be Big John Stud, since he is the superstar swimmer. I'm not quite sure how far he is in front of me, but my new goal is to track him down. It is during this time that his new name comes to me. Finally catch him with a couple miles left, and offer him some encouragement. Drop another gel around mile 13. Emotions are high until I see the "dam" hill. I've heard such horror stories of the famous hill, so I was mentally prepared to beat it to hell. Build up as much speed as I could get and take it head on. About a quarter of the way up I've dropped to the lowest gear possible, I'm standing, and I'm only going 11 mph. Sit down, and I realize that I can still go 11 seated. Wow my quads are burning. But it was over so fast. I wasn't too impressed myself, not that it wasn't a difficult hill. The hill at Austin ranch is tougher, only because it is longer. After this it is smooth flat sailing for maybe a half mile into transistion. Get out of my shoes and dismount perfectly.

Need more hill training. I don't get enough. I met my goal of sub 45, but I really felt like I should've gotten a little bit more out of this ride. Didn't hit top 10 as I hoped.

This felt really good too, but had a little trouble racking the bike. Not as efficient as T1, but a good transition nonetheless.

Nothing.

Started off, and the left calf cramps immediately. Think to myself, it's done this the last 2 races, why not go for a third? Except the last two races it goes away. I decide to drop my third gel immediately. Still cramps through the first half mile. I'm doing more of a hobble then a run at this point. Get to the first aid station maybe a half to 3/4 mile in and stop running altogether. Drink 2 cups of water, throw a 3rd on my head. Use a tree as leverage and stretch the calf. Take off running again. The good news is the cramp was gone. The bad news is I just lost some time. Theres a kid (16 years old) running next to me at this point, and I haven't set my foot pod so I don't know my pace. I think to myself, well this kid looks likes he is moving fast - I'll run with him. Big mistake. After a half mile of this I realize that he's not running very fast at all. Look at the HR and it is in the low 160's. This is very low for a race, when I have been keeping it in the 180's a majority of the 5k. So I speed up. About this time I'm seeing the leaders coming by. I don't know how far in front of me they are, but I'm very encouraged that I'm seeing the leaders. Try to pick it up, and I'm out of gas. I just can't seem to get going. I can't believe my HR never gets above 178. So I just keep on with my what feels like a very sluggish pace. Manage to get some form of a sprint as I cross the finish line. See the 1:26:XX and I realize that I didn't set my goal of 1:25:30, but I'm happy I came close.

I think some brick workouts might be beneficial. I need to find a way to prevent my left calf from cramping as I begin the run. 3 straight races it has done this, and this time it really cost me some time.

brisk walk, light stretching, chatted with my dad, who made it to a race for the first time (very cool!), and my mom, who makes it to every race she possible can (very cool!)


Everything listed in what I would do differently for each section.


Ok, the race report definitely has a negative tone to it. Because frankly I had higher expectations for myself. I am my biggest critic, and maybe that's a good thing, maybe it's a bad thing. The good news: Despite what I consider a fairly poor performance, I GOT FIRST PLACE IN MY AG!!! After I finished I swung around to cheer Big John Stud, Chris, and Cliff on in. I thought my time might have earned me hardware. As results come out I notice I'm hovering around 20. I see two people my age in front of me. So I think, just hang on to 3rd baby! Then I realize that the 2 people in front of me are the 1st place and 3rd place finisher. So they don't fall into the AG categories. So I take first place by an overwhelming margin (around 6 minutes). Well, a fake first place I guess, since people my age really beat me. Head on over and throw down a mean baked potato and a few beers. Make my way over to the awards ceremony, and pick up the hardware. John makes me take off my shades. No John, I wasn't crying! I'm saving that for when I get first place in my AG at IMAZ!!! Haha! Chat with everybody for awhile, and make my way back home.

I was very impressed with this race. For the price, it was awesome. Free spaghetti dinner the night before. A very smooth ran race, with tons of aid station (maybe Dallas Athletes should take notice). Post race baked potatoes, and post race beer out of the keg! Have I died and gone to heaven!?!?

As I stated last race report, I'm pretty sure that the sprints will be a thing of the past next year. But if I do decide to do one, it would most likely be this race.