Swim
Comments: It is very clear to me that I need to spend more time in the pool. I definately need to check out the options available to me before next spring. I was so overwhelmed, and had a lot of trouble breathing. Swam freestyle, except for about 50 meters toward the end, when I thought I was going to die from lack of oxygen. I think I swam much faster on the backstroke. Very humbling experience to be in the bottom 15 swimmers on the course. What would you do differently?: Spend more time in the pool and build endurance. Share lanes more often to adjust to the feel of a crowded pool. Hopefully, not panic so much! Transition 1
Comments: Overall, not too bad. It was a long run from the swim exit to the transition area. I had a gel in T1 and it really made my stomach burn. I didn't have any trouble with getting into my equipment. I think overall, this transition was pretty good. What would you do differently?: Learn to jump on the bike while running. Wear socks (it was COLD!!) and not chicken out on getting into my shoes on the bike. I wouldn't run in my cleats like that again. Bike
Comments: I rode well within my limits today. I could have pushed myself harder, but I was afraid I would have nothing left for the run. Turns out, I didn't have much left for the run anyway. I didn't have any problems, and the organization and traffic control was great. I never felt crowded or pushed. This was a good confidence boost, after my Labor Day crash. I think I can get my training back on track now. What would you do differently?: Ride harder. I would definately have done more work going into this race. Use the aerobars more. Transition 2
Comments: I should have started using the yankz earlier, so that I could have tweaked the lace tightness, the shoes were hard to get on. What would you do differently?: I would have tried putting the shoes on with yankz without socks. They were harder to get on than with socks. I would have taken time to stretch for a few minutes. Run
Comments: I really need to spend some time running. I was prepared for the distance, but I need to do a lot of speed drills, and start running with a partner so that I will push myself more. I was surprised by how difficult the run was for me today. What would you do differently?: Be more fit, push myself harder. Looking back, I would have run harder, at least for the last mile, if not the whole run. Post race
Warm down: I didn't really warm-down at all. I hung out with Jacob and the kids and my mom. Had some water, coke, and a banana. What limited your ability to perform faster: Conditioning and confidence. I was ill-prepared for the swim mentally, and didn't realize how crowded the pool would be. My lack of confidence on the run kept me from going as fast as I could have on the bike, and I should have logged more time over the last few weeks. Event comments: I don't have anything to compare it to, but I thought it was a great, well-organized race. I was really thankful for all the encouragement from the volunteers. Last updated: 2005-09-11 12:00 AM
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United States
Richmond MultiSports
55F / 13C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 418/499
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 31/41
Got everyone loaded in the car and went to the race site. I wouldn't recommend sleeping five people (with 2 children) in a hotel room pre-race. Got my transition area set up, then had a powerbar and some dr. pepper for the caffeine. Then I went to the pool area, and sat around with Jacob, mom, and the kids, and fought the urge to puke. I was so nervous.
The 50 meter pool was daunting, I swam one length, did some stretching and figured I wouldn't still be warm by the time I started anyway.