Swim
Comments: The waves were tough and I was surprised how long it took to get out to the first buoy. Once I got there I had to deal with a bunch of swimmers bumping and swimming across me out to sea. I hate that part. I sighted almost every breath and tried to breathe every 3 strokes. I feel that my sighting was really good. When I hit the 3rd buoy I saw Alex hanging with the lifeguard and stopped to talk to him for a minute. I offered to swim in with him but he had a cramp so I just went on. What would you do differently?: I started in the back on the outside. Maybe if I get my sprinting down in the start I could start in the front. But I don't want to go out too hard. Transition 1
Comments: I don't know why but this took too long. I had everything set out and I still stopped to think it through for a few minutes. Taking the wetsuit off is a pain in the butt. Bike
Comments: I kept my cadence between 92-95. Every time I got over 100 or below 90 I shifted. The course was pretty flat but the cadence helped me keep my speed up. I drank water from my Aero bottle and then after 10 min started drinking perpetulm. I only sipped 1/2 the bottle (1.5 scoops). What would you do differently?: I realized that I got passed on every U turn or corner. I should learn to corner at a faster speed. Transition 2
Comments: I kept thinking I was forgetting something but this went faster than I could collect my thoughts or breath. What would you do differently?: It was really overcast, should have ditched the sunglasses. Run
Comments: I spent the beginning going slow and getting used to running. By mile 1 I was feeling good and into the running. I tried to focus on my posture and fast feet (although my feet didn't seem to be fast at all). I also tried to keep my shoulders and ankles relaxed. I was hoping for a water stop but they had some funky sports drink at 1.5 mile that tasted bad and splashed in my face and got me all sticky. I kept telling myself this is only a 5k so I can push myself. That worked a bit. Post race
Warm down: Saw Alex's fan club at the finish and chatted for a bit. Stretched, walked, ate 2 bananas and a 1/4 bagel. Waited for Alex and cheered him into the finish. Event comments: This was a good flat sprint tri. It has great competition and good for first timers too. The race was delayed but I think that was a good thing. I would have been too rushed. The state park has limited bathrooms and they were closed in the beginning. We could have used a few more port-o-pots. And the beach was full of garbage washing up from the ocean - yuck! They only had water at the transition. It would have been nice to have water along with the sports drink at the run turn around. But overall this was a good race. Last updated: 2009-09-17 12:00 AM
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United States
VBC Multisport LLC
64F / 18C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 183/284
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 4/17
Woke up at 3:30 AM hopped in the car and drove to LA in some crazy dark and foggy conditions. I made it in record time (by 5:30) so I drove around and hit the 7 eleven for a cup of coffee. Then I parked and walked over to transition area to pickup my race packet and timing chip. I set up my transition area, finished my coffee and cliff bar, hit the bathroom and then put on my wetsuit.
I went down to the water and joined a bunch of others swimming out past the breaking waves. I was shocked to realize that the waves were big and brutal. I have to remember to dive under them! Once past the waves I swam a bit and then headed in. I found Alex at the start, wished him good luck and waited for my wave.