Black Fly Tri - International Distance - TriathlonOlympic


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Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
United States
Endorfun Sports
70F / 21C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 52m 34s
Overall Rank = 110/430
Age Group = M30-34
Age Group Rank = 13/29
Pre-race routine:

Arrived in Waterville Valley around 3:00 and checked in at the Black Bear Lodge. Headed over to check out town square and the race site, went back around 5 to pick up packets. Cooked pasta in the room at 6:00 upon wife's relay teammate arrival. After spending a little time more time and at the campfire and s'mores, went back to the room, and off to bed around 9.

Felt I went to bed a little hungrier than I should've and didn't sleep very well. Empty stomach and race excitement left stomach feeling a little off.

Woke up at 5:30, toated whole wheat bagel with low fat PB. Walked to race site at 6:15. Got body marked, setup transition, and headed over to the water a little before 7:30 (our start was around 7:50 due to time trial start.
Event warmup:

Got in the water for ~5 minutes just before the race start to feel the water temp and get in a few strokes, adjust the wetsuit/goggles. Water was slightly colder than expected but actually a very nice temperature for swimming in the wetsuit. Exited the water and waited for our time trial start (entry was in order based on race number, wife and I were back to back).
Swim
  • 07m 28s
  • 440 yards
  • 01m 42s / 100 yards
Comments:

Started by passing a number of swimmer's almost immediately (within first 50 yards) of entering the water. Started to get some water in the goggles, potentially due to dry goggles before entering the water. Lots of sighting due to short course with a number turns/adjustments. Tried to fall into longer stroke pattern and less sighting along the longer back stretch. Breathing was labored due to sighting and shorter course level of effort.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, good effort overall.
Transition 1
  • 02m 13s
Comments:

Ran from water, got pulled suit to waist before arriving at wetsuit stripping. Dropped to the ground and volunteers had suit off in no time (needed 2 tugs to get it off the feet. Ran to the bike. Had socks rolled up and ready to go. Had socks rolled up in bike shoes ready to go. Puts gels and clif bar in back pocket and got on shoes and helmet and glasses.
What would you do differently?:

Felt a bit off on which transition activity to do first (put on shoes? put food in back pocket? put on helmet/glasses). Should figure this out ahead of time before next race to remove any lost time.
Bike
  • 1h 05m 23s
  • 20.5 miles
  • 18.81 mile/hr
Comments:

Breathing was labored at start of bike from swim and effort into and out of transition. Nice downhill to get the legs moving on the way out, realizing that I needed to save some energy for the climb back. Kept pedals moving nearly the entire time with only a few short downhills breaks to rest the legs a bit. Drank roughly every 20 minutes and it seemed like a good amount. Ate half clif bar around the half way point. Stomach felt a little off at times on the climb back with the higher level of effort, but settled rather quickly.
What would you do differently?:

Buy a tri bike and wheelset to match those that flew by me (it has to be the bike, right?). Realistically, I need more time on the bike to get my legs more used to the higher efforts in the same way I have spent doing with the run in recent years.
Transition 2
  • 01m 17s
Comments:

Didnt quite get my right foot out of the pedal on dismount and ended up semi-dropping the bike to the ground. Picked it up quickly and appreciated a "Nice recovery" comment from one of the fans. Name called by the announcer on the way back in, always fun to hear them stumble over the last name!

Nothing major to report in the transition area, pulled on shoes with minimal effort, strapped on the number belt, put on the visor, and off I went.

Saw wife's relay teammate on my way out of transition, always nice to see a familiar face.
What would you do differently?:

Dismount my bike without the half-fall-and-recover dance.
Run
  • 36m 15s
  • 5 miles
  • 07m 15s  min/mile
Comments:

Felt better than expected on the run. Legs as usual are a little off for the first 10 minutes or so. After first 10 minutes started to get into a better rhythm. First 2 miles around 8:00, and then then started to kick it up once hitting the shaded sections. Last mile < 7:00. Also, really liked the visor vs running with glasses.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, happy with effort.
Post race
Warm down:

Grabbed a few snacks and drink and ran from the finish line back to the wife to cheer for her relay runner (and stretched while waiting). Got some food at the athlete's food tent (I ate chicken sandwich, pasta salad and banana). Ate by the pond and then headed back to the hotel to shower before 11:00 checkout.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Bike, bike, bike.

Event comments:

Everything about this event was first class. Tons of volunteers, well organized and run race site, excellent hotel choices within walking distance to transition. We had a blast with the whole experience (starting with watching the time trial the night before) until the time we left. We'll definitely be back!




Last updated: 2011-05-23 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:07:28 | 440 yards | 01m 42s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/29
Overall: 63/430
Performance:
Suit: Xterra Vortex 2 Sleeveless
Course: Roughly rectangluar swim course around the edges of Corcoran Pond. Large number of buoys to keep swimmers on track (roughly 10-15). Run down into and out of the water was rocky and took a little extra care.
Start type: Run Plus: Time Trial
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:13
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
01:05:23 | 20.5 miles | 18.81 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/29
Overall: 168/430
Performance: Good
Wind: Some
Course: Downhill until mile 8. Short, steep hill after right turn @8, mix of flat and small hills until reaching main road again, after which was gradual uphill the entire way with a few slightly steeper sections.
Road: Smooth Wet Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills: Average
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:17
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Below average
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:36:15 | 05 miles | 07m 15s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/29
Overall: 86/430
Performance: Good
Course: Pretty flat on the run with a few rolling hills. Mix of open/sunny sections and shaded woods. Out and back.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
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] 5