Swim
Comments: First several lengths went well, good turns under the ropes, breathing was fine. Didn't pass or get passed by anyone, was just thinking about how well-seeded everyone was, when I ran into a cluster of like six people on the third-to-last-turn. Made my way through that, as did two other guys, then the three of us played tag the final 75 meters. What would you do differently?: Not encounter the traffic jame? Train more, for sure. Transition 1
Comments: This wasn't a chip-timed race, so transition times were lumped in with the bike times. I did have my bike split from my computer, so I deducted that, then guessed at 30 seconds for T2. The remainding 1:27 I'm calling T1, more of a guestimate than anything. T1 includes a longish (~200 yards?) run from the pool to the transtion area. Once I got to the rack, helmet on, grabbed the bike and left. No problems, fairly smooth. What would you do differently?: Maybe run faster, but I find if I'm too winded I lose time in the actual transition. Six of one, half dozen of the other, maybe, but I'd rather have less exertion and a cleaner transition. Bike
Comments: Just a note that on the combined T1/Bike/T2 times I was second overall in the whole race, right behind the overall winner (local cycling stud half my age) and two spots in front of the women's overall winner (state criterium and time trial champion. Went at it hard most of the time, going out I was on 25-26mph, coming in it was 24-25mph due to the breeze, or maybe a slight incline. Way too many turns to have my average reflect that, though. What would you do differently?: Nothing, this is about as hard as I want to push on a short course when I have to run after. Only 3 seconds slower than my PR from 2006. Transition 2
Comments: Again, time esimated wusing the WAG (Wild Ass Guess) method. Came in to T2 with another triclub member who's in the age group ahead of me, and left right behind him. He rides in his running shoes (modified toe clip platform that clips into his pedals), so he doesn't have to put on shoes in T2. I was at most a second or two slower than him putting on my running shoes. What would you do differently?: Nothing. All went like clockwork. Run
Comments: Watch my older triclub buddy walk away from ,e the whole run, his run was a full minute faster than mine. Run still not where I want it to be. Had a few younger guys pass me, but no one near my age group, Turned on the final stretch on Reinhardt into the sun, could not see the finish line. Pushed a little harder but sidn't know how ard to go untli the final 50 yards. What would you do differently?: Still working on the run. Achilles problem keeps me from putting in the miles otr the intensities I need to improve. Post race
Warm down: Refreshments, more BS, changed clothes, got awards. What limited your ability to perform faster: Heat, age, too much weight, not enough training. You know, the usual excuses. Event comments: Good little race for a great cause, perfect race for beginners, and there were quite a few of those. New RD, he did a decent job but needs to work out some bugs. I really wish thye'd go to chip timing with the transition splits, but the RD insisted on finishing at Cajun Field, away from the start. Timer couldn't accomodate that with the chips. Overall, a good race and an annual tradition for us. Last updated: 2009-07-25 12:00 AM
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United States
Games of Acadiana
75F / 24C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 16/156
Age Group = M 50-54
Age Group Rank = 107/5
The usual: wake to bagels and honey with my coffee. Shower, shave, and dress, then dirve the 20 minutes tot he race site.
New transition setup on the other side of the pool from previous years. Equal number of ins and outs on either end of the transition area, so I picked an end spot on a rack in the middle.
No warm-up other than extensive BSing with the other triathlets and walking back and forthe to the restroom.