Great Illini Half-Iron Distance Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Neoga, Illinois
United States
Mattoon Beach MultiSport
Precipitation
Total Time = 7h 22m 20s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = Athena
Age Group Rank = 1/2
Pre-race routine:

I could only get down about 3/4's of a bagel with some PB and half a gatorade. Handled my business at the hotel (woo!) and watched a little bit of the movie Fear while getting ready.
Event warmup:

Wasn't nervous at all which is noteworthy considering i typically puke before races. Set up transition, serenaded those in transition with a short rendition of Paradise by the Dashboard Lights with Colleen. Hit up body marking, pre-race meeting, suited up and hit the water. Focused on staying relaxed and calm.
Swim
  • 47m 44s
  • 2112 yards
  • 02m 16s / 100 yards
Comments:

Hmm...wtf? My swim PR is 38 minutes and change for this distance. Clearly, my head wasn't in it on race day. Or the course was slightly long. Or a combination of both.

First of all, the swim was clockwise. And for someone who routinely pulls left, this was a problem as I tend to drift out to sea. In my OWS practices I've been sighting every 4-5th stroke. So I kept at it during the race. I was so far off course (probably close to 70 yards at one point) I ended up sighting every 2nd stroke for the second loop which helped a little bit.

Because the wave was so small I didn't feel any urgency with going fast either since it was open water for almost the entire swim. I just allowed myself to slip into a slow, comfortable rhythm and stayed there. Not good. Perhaps I just do better when there's chaos around me?
What would you do differently?:

- Actually light a fire under my *ss and swim with a purpose instead of allowing myself to be lazy.
- Go back to stroke basics and figure out why I'm pulling left to such a degree.
Transition 1
  • 02m 13s
Comments:

Felt a little slow in transition today, but focused on making sure I had everything I needed.
What would you do differently?:

Actually run up from the water rather than walk.
Bike
  • 3h 44m 59s
  • 56 miles
  • 14.93 mile/hr
Comments:

Biking is my weak point by a long shot. I know this, I'm okay with this, I've been working on this and getting a lot more time in the saddle this season. I came in to the race wanting to break 3:45, so I'm thrilled that I was able to squeak by with 3:44:59 on the bike. Now looking at how close I was to averaging over 15mph, I wish I had pushed it a little bit harder. I typically ride too conservatively, fearful for blowing up on the run.

The course itself is mostly flat with the exception of a highway overpass and a few small hills (easily less than 50ft of climbing each). Lots of cornfields to look at and nicely paved surfaces with the exception of a 1.5 mile stretch of packed gravel.

Nutrition was spot on with the intake of Infinit and Gu. I just found myself craving more water along the way. I need to pick up an Aquacell so I can carry more than one cage bottle with me.

Toward the end of the ride, Colleen caught up to me so we finished together which was nice.

Roads were open to traffic but even with the holiday weekend, they weren't very well traveled.
What would you do differently?:

- Drink water more frequently.
- Push the bigger gear a little bit harder. It won't kill me. Just suck it up and do it!
Transition 2
  • 02m 17s
Comments:

I took my time here and talked to Colleen while getting ready to run.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing actually.
Run
  • 2h 45m 5s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 36s  min/mile
Comments:

The run started off pretty good and then started to fade in the middle miles. By mile 9 my hips were done with it and it took everything for me to just not walk it all the way in. My right foot ended up getting beyond soaked and I've got a few blisters as a result. Oh...and my tri top gave me some nasty, painful chaffing in the underarm region. Lovely!

Took water at every aid station (typically dumping one on my head) and a gu every 4 miles.

Splits:
1- 11:39
2- 11:58
3- 11:58
4- 12:12
5- 12:09
6- 12:30
7- 12:23
8- 12:52
9- 13:35
10- 13:22
11- 13:14
12- 13:43
13.1- 13:17
What would you do differently?:

Not sure. Maybe carry some infinit for the run for additional liquid calories?
Post race
Warm down:

Crossed the finish line and quickly learned to my amusement that I took first in my division. When I asked if I was the only one racing, I was surprised to learn that someone was still behind me. So I got a trophy celebrating the fact that I was slow, but faster than the other slow gal. :snort:

Ate some pizza, picked up my trophy, packed up and drove the 3 hours home.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

My HIM goal for the season was to go sub-7:30 and I'm pleased that I was able to accomplish it. Looking at my times, I realize I could've gone sub-7:20. of not sub-7:15 if I actually pushed myself harder.

Event comments:

I actually really enjoyed this race. I think I may do better mentally with smaller races rather than the big fanfare with a cast of thousands. I'll definitely be back to Mattoon to race again.




Last updated: 2009-09-07 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:47:44 | 2112 yards | 02m 16s / 100yards
Age Group: 1/2
Overall: 147/
Performance: Below average
Suit: Full Sleeve Promotion (too big)
Course: 2 loop swim. Possibly a hair too long?
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 77F / 25C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Bad
T1
Time: 02:13
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
03:44:59 | 56 miles | 14.93 mile/hr
Age Group: 2/2
Overall: 195/
Performance: Good
Avg. HR 172
Wind: Some
Course: 2 loop course. Wind from the east of all places. 2 hairpin turns and one ridiculously awful packed gravel road (about 1.5 miles) that made folks lose some momentum.
Road: Smooth  Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:17
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Average
Running
02:45:05 | 13.1 miles | 12m 36s  min/mile
Age Group: 1/2
Overall: 182/
Performance: Average
Avg. HR 174
Course: 2 loop out and back through an obscene amount of corn. Had it been sunny, there would've been zero shade. So yay for the rainy, overcast day.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
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] 4