Cactus Challenge Triathlon - Olympic - TriathlonOlympic


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Austin, Texas
United States
3D Racing
72F / 22C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 47m 44s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 30 - 34
Age Group Rank = 27/38
Pre-race routine:

Weds - I read something like "you race on Sunday what you eat on Wednesday". So, I had Pasta.
Friday - Picked up Packet
Saturday - Packed up; cleaned up my bike
Sunday - Up at 5:30. Oatmeal w/ bananas. 3 glasses of water; Left at 6:30;

Set up transition area; picked up my chip; drank Endurance Gatorade + Water; Walked the Water -> T1 path.
Event warmup:

250M of swimming
Swim
  • 21m 15s
  • 1640 yards
  • 01m 18s / 100 yards
Comments:

I loved this swim course - it was my first Oly so maybe the swim is just less congested. After about 200M or so I didn't touch another person. The water temp was a great way to start this race off.
What would you do differently?:

I swam a little wide overall - on the outside of the course. I did this on purpose based on my Sprint experiences - less folks on the outside of the swim course. I probably could have tucked in a little closer to the bouys and saved myself 50 yards or so.
Transition 1
  • 04m 5s
Comments:

I tried to focus on getting my HR back in check after the run from the water. I took a little longer than I needed to getting everything changed over.

I think I was the first person on my rack to get to the bike. The Transition area wasn't congested in the least. Very Nice.
What would you do differently?:

I need to work on T1 transitions. Maybe I can do some of this at Barton Springs or at our pool in the 'hood over the next few weeks.
Bike
  • 1h 20m 40s
  • 26.1 miles
  • 19.41 mile/hr
Comments:

Great course - but as I ticked off laps I started to become more aware of the annoyed motorists gunning their engines and what not. Even heard one guy honking at the race volunteer who was directing traffic over the race course.

I really liked the mix of hills and flat sections. Made for some fast riding for me.
What would you do differently?:

I need to work out the bike nutrition. I should have eaten early, when the course was mostly empty. By the time I started to eat there were too many folks to do so safely. I also didn't drink nearly enough. Good thing it wasn't hot!
Transition 2
  • 02m 12s
What would you do differently?:

This was pretty smooth - no changes
Run
  • 59m 34s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 09m 35s  min/mile
Comments:

Killed by the run again!! The first loop was good. I came off the bike feeling strong. Legs felt great. A section of the course around the 1st mile marker was pretty rough terrain. Most of my training was on streets and granite paths. This through me a bit and left me winded on both laps. I felt like I was running cautiously.

The monster hill on the back side stopped me both loops. I ended up walking about a quarter of it both times.
What would you do differently?:

Running is always my weakest sport. I just need to prepare for this section better. I think some good long bricks would be great for getting me used to running on tired legs.
Post race
Warm down:

Ate pizza. :-)

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I may have pushed a little hard on the bike and missed out on a chance to come off the bike in great shape (food and water wise) for the run. I'm gonna work on this area.

Event comments:

Things got off to a bit of a rocky start - 3D apparently dropped the ball on getting the bike course set up, some equipment problems, body marking was "buddy style". It made for some unhappy folks. I thought it was fine - the weather was great - we were surrounded by great folks.

I didn't rack my bike on Saturday - I'm glad I didn't. I wasn't asked to show a race number entering or leaving the T-area - ever! I even left the transition area with my bike before the race began to get something from my car and never even got a second look. Afterward, I walked out with my bike and nobody checked to see if I was a participant. There were tons of non-racers in the transition area all morning before the event and by the time I finished. That stuff makes me pretty nervous.

It also seems they took an extended amount of time to post results to the website (which continues to be up and down). Kind of disappointing.

Overall, I loved the course - the race itself was fantastic! I think 3d needs to work out a few kinks, but I had a blast. See ya next year!




Last updated: 2006-02-25 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:21:15 | 1640 yards | 01m 18s / 100yards
Age Group: 8/38
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Suit: XTerra Wetsuit
Course: Long Triangle -- Based on my times, I think this course was a little short. I'm just not that fast
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 68F / 20C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 04:05
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
01:20:40 | 26.1 miles | 19.41 mile/hr
Age Group: 26/38
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Wind: Some with gusts
Course: 4 loops on couty roads.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 02:12
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:59:34 | 06.21 miles | 09m 35s  min/mile
Age Group: 31/38
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Course: Trail run through the park. Partly shaded in some sections. Monster hill on the back side. 2 loops.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? No
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4