Mountain Man Sprint Tri - TriathlonSprint


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Flagstaff, Arizona
United States
Mountain Man Events
70F / 21C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 21m 38s
Overall Rank = 79/213
Age Group = M40-44
Age Group Rank = 12/32
Pre-race routine:

Normal routine - woke up about 2.5 hrs before event, had a Clif Bar and G2 for breakfast. Checked the air pressure in my tires, and loaded up gear into the car. Made it out to transition a bit early to get a good parking spot and transition space close to Bike/Run exit. Ended up in the second row from the bike/run exit, but on the far inside of the rack, which I am not used to (I am usually right on the outside).
Event warmup:

Listened to my pre-tri playlist to get energized for the race, spent time with Kym with a few pictures and conversation. Got into the water about 5 minutes before our wave went out to get a feel for the temp and to loosen the arms up for the swim.
Swim
  • 16m 59s
  • 750 meters
  • 02m 16s / 100 meters
Comments:

A bit of mayhem at the swim start, as the width of the dock is not great, so we were crammed together. Started as close to the outside as I could, and quickly tried to maneuver to the outside for a clear swim line. Ran into some people, got run into as much, so it was normal chaos. The first 100m was kind of week due to this and just getting into a rhythm, but then I settled in and started to move. The altitude (7K ft) disrupted breathing a bit, and my stroke was not as smooth as I would like, but it was also not a hindrance. When I rounded the last buoy I turned on the speed a bit and pushed harder, and felt myself moving better and smoother.
What would you do differently?:

Try to push myself earlier than I did. A 750m swim distance should not be difficult with the conditions we had, so I think I could try to increase my pull and speed to move through the water faster.
Transition 1
  • 02m 25s
Comments:

My transition location was strategically selected so I could run through transition to the end, then throw on my bike shoes and run with them a short distance. I am still working on leaving them clipped in and securing them once I am riding, so for now I put on my shoes in transition. My wetsuit came off fine, but my bike would not leave the rack smoothly so I had to work with it for a few extra seconds to get it loose and free. This was still my faster T1 in a tri, so no complaints really.
What would you do differently?:

Be closer to the outside of the rack, where I am more comfortable, and learn to get into my shoes while on the bike.
Bike
  • 33m 51s
  • 12.4 miles
  • 21.98 mile/hr
Comments:

A 22mph average is my fastest for any race, so I felt good. My gears were not shifting smoothly all of the time, and it was on my mind as I thought I might throw a chain at some point. I passed a number of people and pushed as hard as I could, so I believe my effort was max on the bike. I stayed in aero for 95% of the ride, and climbed out of the saddle on a couple of the uphill grades to keep my legs strong. Approaching transition I was able to get my feet out of my shoes so I could run without them through transition, which was a longer run for me as I was on the far end toward the run exit.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing that I can control. I still need more hours on the bike to build up a better ride, but for my skill level I am very happy with my bike split.
Transition 2
  • 01m 18s
Comments:

Again, had problems with the rack, as it was too low and I could not get my seat racked. It did not help that I was doing it backwards, but that was necessary due to space restrictions. Got out of my helmet and into my running shoes and visor in record time, and this was the fastest T2 I have had, so all in all it was a success.
What would you do differently?:

Learn to rack my bike better - beyond that, nothing.
Run
  • 27m 4s
  • 3.1 miles
  • 08m 44s  min/mile
Comments:

This was the disappointing part of my race, considering it should be my strength. I run regularly at 7:30 - 8:00 for much longer distances (and after rides), so I am not sure why I was closer to 9:00 miles. Perhaps it was the thin air, but I cannot say I recognized the shortness of breath. I passed someone in my AG, but then got passed by another at the end of the run and could not keep up with his pace. I did push harder at the turnaround, but found myself then holding back a bit when I now think I could have pushed it harder.
What would you do differently?:

One thing is to have a GPS trainer watch so I know my pace. I was clueless for the first mile +, and I have to think if I had the GPS trainer with pace I would have risen up and pushed my pace to where it should be.
Post race
Warm down:

Had a few donuts, oreos and some water provided by the event team. Had to go back and get my finisher medal, as I passed the guy handing them out originally looking for my wife, and totally forgot to stop and get one. Finally made it back to the chute and picked one up for my little collection. Walked with gear back to the car and cheered on the runners coming to the finish.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

On the swim - most likely the altitude and thinner air slowed me down just a bit.

On the bike - only my skill level kept me from going faster. I am totally happy with 22mph for my current skill level.

On the run - Not sure why I was slower, but this needs to improve, as the run is my strength and for Oly and Sprint distances I should not be slower than 8:00 miles for the race.

Event comments:

I like the Mtn Man event team. They do not have the numbers (volunteers) like the bigger races, but they do a great job with what they have. It is hard to keep crowd control with smaller numbers of volunteers, but they make do overall. They did an awesome job of directing traffic on the highway as well as pointing the athletes on to their next part of the course.




Last updated: 2011-03-04 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:16:59 | 750 meters | 02m 16s / 100meters
Age Group: 14/32
Overall: 0/213
Performance: Average
Suit: Orca Sonar sleeveless
Course: Clockwise square course
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 71F / 22C Current: Low
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting: Average
Waves: Average Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:25
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
00:33:51 | 12.4 miles | 21.98 mile/hr
Age Group: 14/32
Overall: 0/213
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course: Flat course overall, a bit more uphill on the way out than on the way back.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Average Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:18
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Average
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Below average
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:27:04 | 03.1 miles | 08m 44s  min/mile
Age Group: 14/32
Overall: 0/213
Performance: Below average
Course: Pretty flat, with a bit more uphill grade on the way out.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4