![]() Swim
Comments: Although understandable, the change was extremely dissapointing to myself and others as well. Although the countless hours of dolphin drills and ocean entry/exit simulations was never put to the test, safety is first. The sprint back on the beach was quite nice but be sure to save something to run up the ramp. The ramp is short of 1/4 mile but has a gradient in excess of 12%. What would you do differently?: Swam. ![]() Transition 1
Comments: Without the wet suit and sandy feet, the transition was extremely fast. Helmet, glasses, shoes, bike, and I was off. What would you do differently?: Rack the bike as close to the T1 exit area as possible. Although there were lots of bikes, there were still plenty of room. More of the transition area would have been covered in running shoes vs. bike shoes. Original strategy was to reduce the barefoot run by racking close to the T1 entry and T2 exit area. ![]() Bike
Comments: The hill climb into the first turn at the Laguna Beach city boundary was not that bad on the first lap. However, the second time around was a grind. Saw a few athletes on the side of the road trying to get their chains back onto the sprocket. Passed a few going down hill in the aero position just to give back the position uphill. Was too amped up to remember to hydrate and started to cramp up on both calves during the latter part of the second loop. Remembered a video on BT on how to stretch while riding (life saver!) Stretched/pedaled/stretched on the home stretch. What would you do differently?: Need to put more time in the saddle on hill climbs and remember to drink at every opportunity.....get more comfortable with drinking while pedaling in the aero position. ![]() Transition 2
Comments: Could still feel the cramping in both calves while putting on the running shoes. Race belt and Yankz or Zoot shoes a must for a quick transition. Started the run with a bottle of propel in hand to try and salvage what ever hydration I had left. What would you do differently?: Reduced the distance run in bike shoes by racking closer to the T1 exit. ![]() Run
Comments: The first 1/2 mile was a half limp, half stretch, and constant hydration endeavor. Both calves started tightening up and it did not feel like any of the brick sessions I've done. Cheering on the athletes on the bike segment on their hill climb next to the Sugar Shack was great. The cramps completely dissapeared and I picked up the cadence and pace considerably passing others along the way. What would you do differently?: Hydrate more before the run, consider use of compression socks, and hydrate more before the run. ![]() Post race
Warm down: Continued hydration at the Trader Joe's buffet, Juice it Up smoothy gave me a brain freeze, walked around the expo area, and stretched calves, PT, hamstring, and quads. What limited your ability to perform faster: Lack of hydration. Event comments: The swim segment cancellation was a bummer but being my first tri, I was more prepared physically and mentally than expected. Left with an empty feeling and lack of satisfaction because my training was focused on my worse area (the swim) The event itself felt like the two mock tri's I completed the weekends prior to the taper week and I was not sore at all. Left with more confidence but the perfect temperature, gorgeous scenary,and moderate effort level made me feel lik this even was too good to be "tri" Last updated: 2009-07-29 12:00 AM
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United States
Philadelphia Insurance Company
70F / 21C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 672/1200
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 80/110
Tried to get 6 hours of sleep but ended up with about 4. Even with all gear packed, mind was spinning too fast. Got to transition area at 5am with coffee and protein bar in hand. The fresh ocean breeze, sound of crashing waves, and seeing fellow athletes as anxious as I was quite calming.
10 minutes of stretching, 5 minute run along the beach, another 10 minutes of stretching around the starting area. Chatted with other athletes about the double overhead waves that claimed one life two days prior and the two shark sitings in Malibu and Pendelton the day prior.