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 Swim
Comments: Well, it was a new course and apparently I wanted to see all of it I could. I had to fight swimming right the entire time and there's no question I added a lot of yards to what was unquestionably a LONG course to begin with. I'd guess the course was 200 yards too long and other racers seemed to agree, judging from their splits after the race. The water was just as brown and murky as at Edmund Orgill Park (the previous venue), but that's just as well-- some of the locals had informed me the recent flooding had driven the snakes out of their usual homes and into the lakes. So at least if they were there, the brown water prevented us from seeing them. And what you can't see can't hurt you, right? What would you do differently?: Not be such a rightwinger. I mean, there's a time and place leaning to the right, but a triathlon is not it. In my defense, this was my first open water swim of the season, so it's not like I could practice.  Transition 1
Comments: The only thing notable about this transition was that I looked at the sky and knew we would be in for a wet bike. It had already begun to rain and I could see some flashes of lightning on the horizon. Oh well, It's not like we were all going to be completely exposed and sitting on a piece of metal or anything. What would you do differently?: Do differently? Nothing. After all, life is not about clinging to regrets.  Bike
Comments: They promised a flat course and they delivered. That's why I was shocked to look down at my computer and see I was only sustaining 19 MPH. But when we finally turned left I learned why-- we had been fighting a consistent headwind caused by the storm front all the way out to the turn. When we did make that turn, we had crosswinds and I swear my disc helped turn those into forward momentum as my speed really picked up and I began passing what few racers were ahead of me. Yes, I still got passed by some Human Piston-Legs, but I fared alright, especially considering this was my first outdoor ride of the season and first ride on my tri bike in months (I use my roadie on the trainer at home.) Once we made the turn back to the resorts, I was pushing my biggest gear and holding 25 - 26 MPH consistently. In fact, I was regretting not having a cassette with a bigger gear as I could have pushed it easily. Throughout the entire ride, we were pelted with rain, which came down pretty hard at times and there were a couple of bolts of lightning so close, they nearly knocked me off my bike. I was actually a little surprised they let us continue, although the threat of lightning seemed to pass pretty quickly. Also, I think the threat of being crisped like bacon at any momentdidn't hurt my bike split at all. At all. What would you do differently?: Well, it would have been nice to have been able to get outside even once and ride before this race, but the Wisconsin Spring had other plans. Still, I rocked this course pretty hard, especially with the wind. I was actually surprised my split wasn't a little faster, but 21.7 is pretty solid for me. Transition 2
Comments: I had a loooooooooooong run with my bike, as my T-spot was located on the far end of transition. I also had neglected to put speed laces in my shoes as I had just picked up a new pair and don't really plan on doing more tri's this season, so that cost me a few seconds, but it was fine. What would you do differently?: I would have laughed more and worked less. Oh, you mean what would I have done differently in this transition? Nada.  Run
Comments: I've really got to hand it to the race organizers-- they did everything in their power to make Memphis in May a unique event. They found a great venue, with convenient access to the casinos for entertainment. They put on a great post-race party with a live band. Oh, and did I mention they made the 6.2 mile run a full 6.7 miles? See? Completely unique. You just don't find that at other races. Now, if I sound bitter, it's only because I really, really wanted to finish this race in the 2:30's which I would have done-- somewhat easily-- if they hadn't decided to extend the run course a full .5 mile and not tell anyone. Bastards. Like the bike course, this run is pancake flat, partly on pavement and partly on crushed gravel, and really designed for speed. Unfortunately, the non-stop rain really mucked up the gravel path in places and made the footing kinda squishy. If I'm honest, considering how flat this course was, I was a little disappointed with my split, but I guess running with heavy shoes can make a difference. Still, I'll take the rain and grey skies any day over the heat and humidity I'm used to fighting at Memphis. Us Wisconsinites are a lot more suited to running in crap at this time of year than heat. What would you do differently?: I'd run faster. Like, duh! Post race
Warm down: When I reached the finish line, I stopped. Because I'm just crazy like that. What limited your ability to perform faster: My unwillingness to entirely give up cheeseburgers and frozen custard in pursuit of a more svelte physique. Event comments: Start2Finish is to be commended. While I was skeptical about the change in venues because I felt the race would lose some of its character, the new venue is exceptional for those of us coming from a long way away with families. The race takes place right on the grounds of the hotel resort, which makes it really nice for family spectators to sleep in and go back to their room when they want. THe nearby Kids Quest facility also allows parents to drop off the kids for some fun while racing or even while hitting one of the nearby casinos (and you know I love the Black Jack.) As far as my performance goes, I've turned in faster times at Memphis in May, but never placed better in my AG. I'm also positive my time was affected by the extended length of the swim and run courses. Still, I was very happy with my result. Really, a great race and I will be back, as always. Last updated: 2011-05-24 12:00 AM
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Start 2 Finish, Inc.
Precipitation
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = M 40 - 44
Age Group Rank = 38/100
Come hell or high water, I was determined to have a good race at Memphis this year, my fifth year doing this race. I certainly got the high water. The flooding of the Mississippi River had put this race in jeopardy for some time, as the new venue in Tunica, MS, is located just on the other side of a levee from the historically high river which had already forced most of the nearby casinos to close for days. To make matters worse, the forecast called for thunderstorms all day and the ominous dark clouds which hung above us on race morning made it clear the race had every possibility of becoming a swim-only event.
Still, as I set up my transition area, I was unfazed... until I discovered I couldn't my timing chip. Then I became FAZED. Very FAZED. I searched my race bag. I went back and searched my hotel room (which luckily is located right next to transition at this new venue). I searched the Expo. I searched everywhere. No dice. Not only that, no timing chip. Apparently, somewhere in the 50 freaking yards between the race expo and my hotel, I lost the one thing a racer can absolutely not lose. So I proceeded to lose my mind. I hustled back to the Expo where they gave out the timing chips to explain my situation and, after some back and forth, they told me that because I had already been bodymarked, I'd have to shout out "Lost chip, I'm Racer #222" at every check point. That seemed reasonable. What they should have made me shout was, "I'm a moron! Someone pants me!" But I guess that's why those Southerners are famous for their hospitality.
Any way, I ran back to transition and finished setting up, still intent on having a great race. Because I've signed up for a marathon in October, I had decided I really wanted to make running my sole focus this summer, so Memphis was likely to be my only tri for the year. I wanted to make it a good one.
Now, there are a number of reasons I plan on doing the Memphis in May Tri each year. My oldest brother lives in nearby Southaven, MS, which means we can combine a family visit with a race. Also, the race gives me a lot of motivation to hit my bike trainer hard in the early Spring, when riding outdoors around Wisconsin is a dubious proposition at best. And, it gives me a chance to enjoy some of my favorite food in the world-- real Memphis barbecue.
Now, it's all well and good to enjoy Memphis barbecue AFTER the race, but as I was discovering on race morning, it's not the greatest of ideas to load up on ribs, beans and, yes, barbecued spaghetti (the specialty at my favorite barbecue joint, creatively named "The Barbecue Shop") the day BEFORE the race. Let's just say my stomach was a bit gurgly and you didn't want to be the person after me at the Port-a-Let.
But I hit the water for a quick warmup and things seemed to settle down. Memphis is a time trial start and I was Racer #222 in the first wave of Age Groups scheduled to go off, so at least I knew I wouldn't have to wait long before I'd be in the water.