Swim
Comments: The conventional wisdom around BT is to try and start to the outside and back in your first open water swim. I now see why! I considered my two pool races and put myself 2/3rds the way to the outside but neglected to consider that the "outside" on the shore was still inside of the first buoy. Needless to say, I got stuck behind three slower guys then pummeled from behind. Between the physicality, my need to maneuver and the cold water, I was exhausted by the first buoy and part of me felt like it wanted to just quit then and there. After a quick breather via some sidestroke, I got myself back together and just kept telling myself to go slow and steady. By this time, I got some open water and was able to finish but I was mentally and physically exhausted. I later found out my feet got several cuts on them, including one really deep one, from the shells on the beach so watch where you step! What would you do differently?: Overtrain for the distance and be prepared for the starting scrum. Transition 1
Comments: After my ordeal in the water, I took some time to walk up the beach and into transition. I actually did the goggles and swim cap into the sleeve technique and getting the suit off routine smoothly, albeit slowly. The only hitch came during my usual "let's see how much grass I can carry with me for the rest of the race when I put my socks on" routine. I'll eventually figure out how to put my socks on without mowing the lawn at the same time. What would you do differently?: Jog and finally practice rolling socks onto wet feet in long grass to the point where it is no longer a problem. Bike
Comments: After my swim fiasco, I used the first lap of the bike to recover and learn the course. On the second, I got my legs back and started to be more aggressive. Unfortunately, two miles from the finish I shifted while climbing a long gradual hill and dropped my chain. To add insult to injury, I unclipped my right foot and noticed a drop off on the shoulder at the last second, so I leaned left, unclipped too late and kissed the pavement. Delicious! I got my chain back on in a minute or two with a minimum of difficulty. Unbeknownst to me, my fall shifted my back brake and it now was rubbing on the wheel. I could not get my hand in to force it back and because of where the brake is in relation to my pedals, I couldn't leave it open. Finally, another rider who was walking back because his day was done helped realign the back wheel for me. All told, I have to believe I lost around 5-10 minutes with this ordeal. At least I learned some very valuable lessons and I grew much more comfortable with my bike handling during the race. What would you do differently?: Not shift under load. Train harder so I don't have to wait a lap to kick it up a notch. Transition 2
Comments: After the stress of dropping my chain and pushing to get back into the race, I was spent and my calf cramped at the dismount. Fortunately, I had a good rack position close to the entrance and got there fairly quickly. What would you do differently?: Move a little faster and not walk at all. How's that for a complicated goal? Run
Comments: Even though this course was much tougher than I expected, I also need to get much fitter. What would you do differently?: Get fitter and not blow my mental reserves on both the swim and bike. Post race
Warm down: I walked around with my wife, drank some juice and then walked the 1.2 mile walk back with her to our car. What limited your ability to perform faster: This was my first open water swim ever, first race with my tri bike ever and first trail run in a long time. I need more experience with all three in addition to getting fitter. Event comments: In spite of my own performance, I really enjoyed this race. It is well organized, the race site is very pretty, the swag is decent and my wife got a huge kick out of the announcer calling out racer names like we were at an Ironman race. It is a race I will defintely do again! Last updated: 2010-03-04 12:00 AM
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United States
Tri and Du It Multisport
75F / 24C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 336/405
Age Group = Clydesdale
Age Group Rank = 29/36
I didn't think to check and we were out of my usual prerace mini-bagels so I settled for some Gu20, toast and a Powerbar on the way to the race. I took my usual warmup shower and then ran out the door since I dawdled too long.
My wife dropped me off near the entrace to the Webb Institute. I used the walk to transition while carrying all my stuff to try and get a little sweat going. I then tried to stretch and get my legs, particularly my balky right knee, loose.