Cactus Challenge Triathlon - Sprint - TriathlonSprint


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Austin, Texas
United States
3D Racing
67F / 19C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 12m 14s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 2/26
Pre-race routine:

Got up around 6:30 and ate toast with peanut butter and a banana. Stopped at Starbuck's for my latte and I was good to go. Drank water prior to race. My bike was already at the site so transition set up went pretty quick.
Event warmup:

Didn't do as much warm up and actually felt better. Went for a short warm up swim. This was the first time using a wetsuit in an event and it sure does make you more buoyant.
Swim
  • 10h 59m
  • 547 yards
  • 2h 00m 31s / 100 yards
Comments:

I still can't believe how different it is swimming in open water with a lot of other people around. I have been working hard in the pool and have been feeling great. My stroke improved and my breathing was much better in the pool... Then came the lake. My technique was shot and my breathing was eratic. I went from a 1:45/100m to a 2:12/100m. I was hit and kicked throughout which also made it difficult to ever get in a rythm. Even though I felt bad during the swim, I was close to my target time of 10:00 minutes. I'd just have to make up the extra minute.
What would you do differently?:

I'm not sure how you can simulate the rough water and body bashing. I guess you just have to get used to it and concentrate on your stroke.
Transition 1
  • 02m 45s
Comments:

My tranisitions were much better in the race than my last. T1 was 3rd fastest in my age group. I decided this time I'd sit my butt down to put my shoes on. Didn't fall over and made it go quicker. I also didn't waste time on a drink or gu during the transition. With such a short race I didn't need gu and I could hit the fluids while moving on the bike. Only problem I had was I pulled my wetsuit off and realized I was at the wrong bike rack. Fortunately my bike was only 1 rack over.
What would you do differently?:

Duh, make sure I'm at my bike for T1.
Bike
  • 35m 59s
  • 12.43 miles
  • 20.73 mile/hr
Comments:

Even though I was 2 on the bike #1 was only 1 second ahead of me. I felt great on the bike and I was flying by people. The road was a little rough in areas but the hills were no problem. I'm used to riding on a much hillier course so this felt like a cake walk.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, felt great.
Transition 2
  • 01m 26s
Comments:

Another pretty good transition. I do tie my shoes so they stay snug. I was 8/26 in T2 so could have been quicker getting my running shoes on.
Run
  • 21m 7s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 06m 47s  min/mile
Comments:

Even though I didn't feel extremely strong I was happy with my run time. I only had 1 person pass me and that was an elite Olympic triathlete. I was thinking of walking up the last hill, but I was proud for refusing to do so and driving through it. I must've passed 10 people just going up that last hill.
What would you do differently?:

I think the taper week prior really helped. I focused on keeping heart rate down a bit and going slighly longer distance. I think I can go harder at the start of the run.
Post race
Warm down:

Stretched, gatorade, fruit, and pizza. I ate a lot for the next couple days.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Felt pretty good. Just need to keep working on the swim. Bike and run are good.

Event comments:

This was my 2nd triathlon ever so I'm very happy to have finished #2 in my age group. They didn't have overall, but if my math is correct I came in the top 20 overall. I beat my target time by 5 minutes so I know I can continue to improve. Finishing #2 only makes me want to work harder to finish #1.

The race started late, but that's ok because I arrived a little later than I wanted to. Once the race got going it was great! I'll be there next year.




Last updated: 2006-04-12 12:00 AM
Swimming
10:59:00 | 547 yards | 2h 00m 31s / 100yards
Age Group: 8/26
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Suit: Xterra Full Suit
Course: Course was out and back around the buoys. There were a lot of people and got bumped around the whole time.
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 67F / 19C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Below average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:45
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
00:35:59 | 12.43 miles | 20.73 mile/hr
Age Group: 2/26
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Wind: Little
Course: 2 lap race over rolling hills. Much flatter than what I'm used to riding.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:26
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:21:07 | 03.11 miles | 06m 47s  min/mile
Age Group: 3/26
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Course: Grassy and rough in some areas with some good hills. The hill on the back was a killer. A lot of people were walking up the hill.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]