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 Swim
Comments: This turned out to be my best event all day...finished 234/918...surprising but maybe not since I've been improving in the pool all year. Still can't break that sub 2:00/100m in open water... Sighting was best ever for me during a race. I did almost get kicked in the head by a backstroker...holy crap that was close....and a couple of the women I caught in the wave ahead of us smacked me in the head...but other than that I was pretty pleased. I didn't feel overwhelmed or stressed by the swim at all. What would you do differently?: Not much..it's all about fitness and getting better in the water. This was my best ever open water swim so I was happy. I improved my sighting as that's where I've struggled in the past.  Transition 1
Comments: Not much I would do differently here...my transition times are fairly good..I would go quicker if I learned how to keep my shoes clipped into the bike...not too concerned about that right now. What would you do differently?: Nada. All went smoothly.  Bike
Comments: Felt good on the bike..second best event of the day..finished 276/918....some discrepancy between what the timing chip measured me as averaging and what my bike computer did..I'm leaning towards my bike computer...I watched my pace and speed the entire race. I did get passed by a few guys on some pretty mean machines..(ahh, someday) but I was pretty satisfied overall with my pace and effort level. Not sure I could call it 'hard' but then again it wasn't completely 'comfortable' Course was well laid out and supervised....no issues other than a few potholes you had to watch for. I did feel a little bit of discomfort at times being in aero...which I thought was strange because I workout in the areo position...... Had one bottle of HEED and one of water on the bike..finished all the HEED and about 2/3rds of the water... What would you do differently?: Not much...it's bike fitness for sure...and I have been improving each race so I'm pretty happy. I've spent alot more time on the bike this year training... I'd certainly love to get fitted for a 'real' tri-bike someday... Transition 2
Comments: No problem in transition... What would you do differently?: Nothing...I am pretty well prepared...I ran out with my race belt instead of strapping it on in transition..that was smart...  Run
Comments: Sooo...what had been a pretty decent day so far was about to get miserable...I had tried to train in the extremely hot conditions we had been experiencing of late but I hadn't replicated it under the duress of an actual S/B/R set.... I could tell from the start this run was going to be tough...about 1 mile in I could tell my heart rate was just too high...and I was starting to overheat...I made it through about 2 miles before I needed to start walking the aid stations...and then it was a run/walk strategy for the rest of the way... I took every opportunity to get fluids and grab 'cold' towels...those were a treat. I must say in my short racing career (since 2008; 12 tri's) this was the toughest run...even harder than my half iron run last year...it just felt oppressive and my heart rate was just too high...my head was pounding...my brain was screaming 'walk'...so i did...I listened and was surprised to still finish just under 10 minute miles... Brutal. That's all I can say...but it appeared that it was awful for many of the racers. I ended up finishing a disappointing 421/918 in this segment...just chalking it up to experience. A strong top 300 would have put me much higher in the overall rankings... What would you do differently?: Nothing...I gave it 150% effort...mentally and physically... Post race
Warm down: Finished, drank as much water as I could...went through the mist tent and found a nice fan to stand in front of....walked back to transition and ran into Mike and Sarah. Spent the next hour getting some food and talking to friends...did run into Nicki who was now working the finish line taking off timing chips.... Picked up my bike and bag and headed to the car. Arrived back home after a stop at wawa for a hoagie about 2:00. Not bad. Did sleep for two hours after a nice shower. What limited your ability to perform faster: I was happy with my swim and bike...of course I can get better....but the run, oh the run..the heat...that killed me. Event comments: A really nice race, well organized and plenty of post race activity. The 'mist tent' was an added bonus at the finish line...well done! Looking forward to next year already. Last updated: 2009-10-11 12:00 AM
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United States
CGI Racing
95F / 35C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 272/918
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 41/120
Up at 4:00 AM and loaded up the Pilot. Stopped at Wawa for a Detour protein bar, coffee, banana and water. Took about an hour or so to make the drive to Mercer County park...easy.
Called my friends Sarah and Mike on the way. Arrived, unloaded and headed to packet pick up. Ran into my friend/coach Nicki Atkinson who was coordinating the CGI volunteers and Lindsay Ross who was one of the lifeguards.
Set up transition and went and talked with Mike and Sarah. Hit the port-a john and walked down to the swim start.
Swam a few strokes in the lake to warm up. My wave didn't start until almost 8:15 so I had plenty of time...almost an hour between the first wave and mine. Was nice to get into the warm lake water and just get relaxed.
I think the largest wave was mine, the male 40-44 so they had us broken into two waves..I had the purple cap and was able to get started with the first wave.