Festival of Flowers Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


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Ninety Six, South Carolina
United States
Setup Events
85F / 29C
Sunny
Total Time = 00m
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Drove up the night before with my training buddies. We took a look at the site and realized that there were a lot of people here trying to get a spot at Tuscaloosa. We were there for our first OlY distance. I figured I would just try to stay out of everyone's way.
Event warmup:

All the usual stuff.
Swim
  • 34m 57s
  • 1640 yards
  • 02m 08s / 100 yards
Comments:

The swim was very difficult for me. It was my first time racing this distance and not wearing a wetsuit. I had done on OLY Aquabike before this in a wetsuit. The bouys were very hard to see with some low lying fog. It was also my first deep water start. In addition, it was an all woman start. The first bouy was unsecure in some way. Each time
I went around it, it would slide over me. I would back peddle and try again. I terrified I would be trapped under the buoy. On the third attempt, I finally made it around. I literally swung around the bouy and fell on top of my training buddy, who was on the other side. It became funny then and I put it out of mind and started swimming. I did go wide on the next bouy.
What would you do differently?:

I only have tinted googles. I didn't realize how much that would impact my being able to see the bouys. My sighting was the worst it had ever been. I will definitely get clear goggles. The bouy situation was something that others have mentioned was a problem. The course was also measured long (several very experienced tri folk thought it was about 250 long.) These are things I have no control over. It took me 6 minutes longer than my race two weeeks before.
Transition 1
  • 01m 2s
Comments:

It was a bit of blur. I just did what I was trained to do.
Bike
  • 1h 20m 31s
  • 24 miles
  • 17.88 mile/hr
Comments:

Hmm..I felt flat on the bike. My CATEYE went out within the first mile. I was told later that it could have been the rough road. I believe I heard "passing on the left" more than a few times. Without the CATEYE I was just sure I was having a terrible ride. I think I gave up a little here thinking all was lost on my goal.
What would you do differently?:

I need to invest in some aerobars. This is a perfect race for being in aero. I was in the drops most of the time but it isn't very comfortable. I need to do some rides without the CATEYE going to get a sense of pace. Keep going hard no matter what.
Transition 2
  • 01m 30s
Comments:

I knew this would be a longer than usual T2. I had to put on a knee brace for this race and I didn't use Yankz.
Run
  • 00m
  • 6.21 miles
  •  min/mile
Comments:

Well, I knew this was going to be rough. I injured myself back in Feb. during marathon training and just started running again a few weeks ago. I had only done the distance about 3 times before the race and only once on concrete ( I usually trail run). My goal was just to get through this run. I say that but it isn't any fun to run MUCH slower than you know you are capable. I do think I got the hydration right. I had never tried Heed before though and I won't try it until the last two miles in case I didn't tolerate it well. I did pour water over my head at each stop.
What would you do differently?:

Test out whatever they are serving on the course BEFORE race day. Try to keep the water out of my shoes.
Post race
Warm down:

My buddies were at the finish line waiting for me. No matter how bad it seems out there, I am always pleased that I did something that I have never done before. It is great doing it with friends I am proud of myself for that, especially while still not at my best physical shape.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Torn SI joint that effects my ability to run

Event comments:

I was a little disappointed by the lack of some type of finisher medal. I am not normally into that type of thing but for my first OLY it would have been nice, especially for the price.




Last updated: 2009-06-15 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:34:57 | 1640 yards | 02m 08s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Suit: no
Course: It was a point to point heading left.
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 79F / 26C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 01:02
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:20:31 | 24 miles | 17.88 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Wind: Little
Course: Rolling hills with rather rough roads.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 01:30
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:00:00 | 06.21 miles |  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Course: Hilly, hot, concrete. I did run about a mile on the dirt on the side of the road.
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Ok
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] 4