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 Swim
Comments: Swim started at 8:40. I was totally calm. Actually had a groove for the first 5 minutes but then I started losing my breath again. Not a lot of waves...really calm. The swim was another struggle. I think I was 4rth to last out. What would you do differently?: Swim more...schedule didn't really allow it. And i think i took a week and a half off from my last tri. So basically I haven't been putting the time in - not by choice. I would love to have a masters team near me...I know I would get faster swimming with them. Nobody is really 'pushing' me in the pool. Plus work on more drills to improve efficiency. Several lessons would help me a lot. Its just time and money.  Transition 1
Comments: Putting on the tri-shirt was a lot easier this time since I wore it for the swim. I also fashioned a race belt that i simply hooked on...last tri i had no race belt and pinned the number on the shirt so in t1 the shirt wouldnt go on my wet body and the number ripped off. SO much improvement. Unfortunately in looking for a belt I found out that my local running store got bought out by fleet feet who promptly relocated the store too far away! What would you do differently?: Try to get faster getting sand off and shoes on - I am a very slow swimmer and there is no water left for me in the little feet baths...I should bring my own. I ALMOST GOT DOCKED for time as I was a little excited and about mounted my bike in the transition area...WHOOPS!  Bike
Comments: The ride started out with rolling hills immediately, something of which I will never get accustomed to unless I move to a different topography. I kept in easy enought though, albeit slow. The course featured several other 'moderate' climbs - but not too long in duration. Also a monster downhill that had me wondering about the status of my breaks...i swear I was applying full brakes for 5 minutes...it was sheer as the earth is round. I did hear about one or two unfortunate wipe-outs. I hope they are ok. Well, what goes down goes back up in about 15 minutes later. I used the Grandmother of all Granny Gears...couldn;t do it though...i pussed out at the smiley face painted on the road marking the half-way point. I walked up the rest...very sheer hill and long. The rest of the course was nice, scenic and country fragrant with very little traffic. I ate 3 gels on the bike and had 32oz of gatorade on my back in the tri-shirt pocket...nothing seemed to be wrong with that nutrition plan. I actually did not use the camelback this time as i found out i didnt need that much gatorade - even on such a hot day...i felt more 'natural' without it as i only needed a water bottle in my back pocket. What would you do differently?: Practice hills, get a real bike...(another tri life) Transition 2
Comments: Easy transition. Ate a gel, finished the bike leg drink and was off. What would you do differently?: Nothing much,  Run
Comments: Hotter then Hades with absolutely no shade nor wind. Brutal. It didn't start all that well either for me. Being at the back of the pack, when I asked a man which way the course went at one of the turns where there was a MASSIVE convergence of arrows, he told me 'that way'...he was assuming i was finishing the run and I found myself going towards the finishline arches. Turned around and found my way correctly - only lost a few minutes. Incidentally at that same spot that confused me withall the arrows, it was CLEAR AS DAY on the way back?!?! The run did feauture a good sized hill...i was SOOOO tempted to walk it but didn't. I drank two cups of liquids at each station as it was that hot (4 stations total)...I was full but it was good...no sloshing though. At the last mile marker, I realized that the number '1' can be connected at the ends and half-turned into the 'infinity' symbol...that how long that last mile felt. I was very, very happy that I made it to the finishline without dying or overheating. What would you do differently?: Command the gods-that-may-be-presiding to give me a little more shade next time. I don't think I would be asking for much. OH! Get more familiar with the run course directions. I had them on the bike but not on the run. Post race
Warm down: Got a cold pepsi immediately and downed that, got another one and just walked in a big box (not literally) for 30minutes in some shade to cooldown before the 3 hour drive home. Was not hungry...yet. Just wasted. I packed up - most of the transition was torn down during my arrival at the finish. I drank two more sodas, ate a bag of m&m's, skittles and a sandwich plus a large coffee to keep me awake on the way home...last 30minutes was difficult. 3hours is max for me. Upon getting home I noticed that i got pretty burnt out there...need water-proof sunscreen, not water resistant...plus if its fresh, it would have helped...i was using some old stuff. What limited your ability to perform faster: Most people had left when i arrived at the finishline. It felt great to complete that course without any walking and such...but for the first time it was a little depressing bringing up the far-rear again...and being virtually the only one in all the transitions. I guess I need to accept this for a while with the new family and the fit-training-in-when-i-can plan that is really the only realistic one i have now. It would be cool someday to be mid-pack and amongst the excitement. Event comments: Another great race by HFP racing. A wonderful course with a HUGE sandy beach and a large covered picnic area where the whole family can come out and enjoy the day. Last updated: 2004-07-12 12:00 AM
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United States
HFP Racing
85F / 29C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 196/220
Age Group = 30-39
Age Group Rank = 0/
Saturday night my wife and I had our 5th year anniversay....first time in a year it has just us out. Went to 'Piottos' - uppity Italian restaurant. Had a ton of food and some aussie wine - discovered two new tastes too. When we got home I finished packing my bag and went to bed at 11:00pm. I got up at 2am, showered, went through the checklist, made espresso - and my awesome wife packed me breakfast/lunch/pop/candy. I was loaded up and left home at 3:00am. Another uneventfull drive past Columbus eating sandwich, drinking pop and listening to Oakenfold and Carl Cox. Arrived at 6:15am, a few people were there. I met Scott Erdman (event manager...totally nice guy), got my packet, timing chip, racked my bike in the corner to the outside (fav spot). by 6:40 I was good to go.
Strolled down to the lake...VERY WARM! Huge beach...I kinda just zoned out for 45 minutes watching the sunrise...i'm more of an introvert...i like to think and collect thoughts. I'm shy and quite by nature so I wont be walking up and saying hi to you too fast unless i know u. Headed back up to the transition...VERY BUSY. A full house race...lines everywhere. It does pay to be early - more relaxing on the nerves. I took lots of pics, noticed (again) i was the only knobby rider. oh well...someday... Listened to the pre-race meeting, put the suntan lotion on and headed down to the beach...about 8 waves of racers took off...My wave was 45minutes from the start so I got to cheer some of the sprints in. Pretty cool. I was surprisingly calm.