Take on the Heat Triathlon - TriathlonSprint


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The Colony, Texas
United States
Playtri
80F / 27C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 15m 21s
Overall Rank = 61/267
Age Group = M 20 - 24
Age Group Rank = 2/8
Pre-race routine:

I was once again running late for the triathlon. But in this case it worked to my advantage, as being one of the last cars I was allowed to park on the concrete parking lot instead of the grass where the majority were parked.

I had taken some salt before the race which definitely helped.
Event warmup:

Some stretches, did 100 m in the pool to get my shoulders loose.
Swim
  • 07m 7s
  • 383 yards
  • 01m 52s / 100 yards
Comments:

I saw a lot of people cannon balling into the pool. I just slid down and used the wall to get a good push. Nobody passed for the first 150 m, and then 2 people passed me and I passed another two. So I felt I had seeded myself properly.

At pool swims people sometimes overestimate their abilities and end up being seeded in the wrong spot. This swim took the cake though, as I saw a couple of swimmers in the first 10 who couldn't swim one complete lap and were swimming without goggles !!!
What would you do differently?:

I need to learn how to do those flip turns, that's where I seem to lose a big chunk of time since I have to stop, go under the lanes ropes and start again. The lady behind me was flawless in her flip turns and it seems to make your swim so much more efficient.
Transition 1
  • 02m 19s
Comments:

Wow, this was a slow transition. I felt I was racing along since I even forfeited wearing a shirt for the bike. For a second I had a brain fart and actually got on my bike in the transition, even wondering why people were running with their bikes instead of riding them. Thankfully I quickly realized there is thing called a mouting line, got off the bike and avoided a penalty.
What would you do differently?:

Go without socks on the bike, that's what make my transitions slower. Since I have to get my feet dry, put on the socks, shoes etc.
Bike
  • 38m 22s
  • 12.8 miles
  • 20.02 mile/hr
Comments:

There was some major headwind on the back stretch of the course. Only a couple hills in the course that were on Main St. I went fast on the homestretch in front of the natatorium. My legs were feeling good, I was able to push it and the pain never came. Only one person passed me, and I passed a bunch.
I lost one of my bottles on the course while trying to put it back in the bottle holder. I looked back and it had rolled to the side of the road. Hopefully it didn't trip anyone up.
What would you do differently?:

Practice my climbing a bit more. I think I could have gone faster, if I had been more aggressive on the hills.
Transition 2
  • 01m 25s
Comments:

Typical T2 transition, helmet off, rack bike, put on shoes, get rolling.
Run
  • 26m 7s
  • 3.1 miles
  • 08m 25s  min/mile
Comments:

I ran the first mile in 6:45. Then I realized, this is way faster than my normal pace and slowed down. I walked the aid station and started running again. This was the biggest mistake in the race. I forcefully slowed myself down when my body wasn't give any indications of wear. It was hard for me to get back to the same speed again. I walked the mile 2 aid station and then just went into cruise mode.
I was constantly running with same group of people, I would pass them and then they would pass me back.
What would you do differently?:

Keep running my race and not slow down until I start to feel fatigue.
Post race
Warm down:

Did stretches, to get my muscles loosened up again. I think this race was one of my first where I felt really good in all 3 legs and wasn't tired after the event.

Event comments:

So even though I placed second in my age group, the guy who was first was actually 3rd overall. So this bumped me up to 1st in my AG. I had wanted to place in my AG ever since I started doing triathlons in March. This has been truly amazing for me since last year I was so out of shape, I could barely swim 100m or run 2 miles without getting winded. To have such a turnaround has been truly amazing.




Last updated: 2009-05-01 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:07:07 | 383 yards | 01m 52s / 100yards
Age Group: 3/8
Overall: 81/267
Performance: Good
Suit: Tri - Shorts
Course: Pool swim with a snake course. Swim to one end, go under the lane ropes, swim back. Repeat 7 times.
Start type: Inside Pool Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 02:19
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
00:38:22 | 12.8 miles | 20.02 mile/hr
Age Group: 2/8
Overall: 53/267
Performance: Good
Wind: Headwind
Course: 2 loop course that took us around Main St. in The Colony.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:25
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:26:07 | 03.1 miles | 08m 25s  min/mile
Age Group: 4/8
Overall: 74/267
Performance: Good
Course: One loop course that took us into a neighborhood behind the pool. Running was mostly on concrete sidewalks with minimal shade. The course was mostly flat with little rollers at the end.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
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: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5