Merrill Lynch Race For Sight Triathlon - TriathlonOther

Was a little nervous going in. I put myself in the 10:30-11:00 minute group. We started over 40 minutes after the first people hit the water. I had a good swim down the first let and that is where we started bunching to try to go under the ropes. I felt good but couldn't really go anywhere cause you just had to wait at the wall to go under.

Probably start in a faster pace group. I think I could have made the 10:30-11:00 minute slot and cut 4 minutes off my time if I had been in a group that was moving quicker. Also spend more time working on form/technique so I don't use so much energy on the swim.

The transition area was great but it was a pretty good jog from the swim area. Transition on the artificial turf was nice. I prepinned my number on my long sleeve shirt and then wore a short sleve tshirt under it. I put on the shortsleeve and then my helmet and had to take the helmet back off to get my shirt with my number on. Transition time took a little longer than I had anticipated. I wore socks cause I didn't train too often without them. Oh, and I also pinned through the back on one of the saftey pins and tore a hole in my shirt trying to push my head through. DOH!

Go sockless, use a race belt(I have one now), and use a tri top that I can swim in so I don't have as much time redressing.

I got out and made good time for the first portion of the first lap. I didn't get passed by anyone without a carbon fiber bike until about 1/2 through the first lap. Then it seemed like everyone was going by without much effort. I found a girl on a Roadmaster MTB bike and made it my goal to at least finish the bike before her. The first time up the "Wall" I decided to walk up. It was my plan to not put out too much energy that I would need later. I got to the top with several others to find a guy taking pictures. I did my best to cover my number and hide my face in shame so not to be posterized pushing my bike. I think the second lap I was making better time and decided to not be a complete puss and ride the wall on my second attempt. I did and I made it but was ready to yack once on the top. What do you know the picture guy was gone on lap two. My pace became a crawl for the next little bit and I made it to the end of the ride. Oh, I had also never ridden around people with Aero Wheels. You could always tell when the "Elite" racers were comming around you cause they made this cool whooshing sound like a jet when they went by.

I need to spend much more time on the bike. 20 minutes on the stationary bike at the gym doesn't cut it. I think the bike really hurt my overall time. Also I think aero bars would have really helped cause there were serveral areas that were pretty windy. I might also consider a tripple chainring setup so I don't have to push as hard on long hills.

I ran down the wrong row of bikes to rack my bike. Luckily they are open at the ends and I was near the end anyway. I got my shoes changed and my helmet swapped for my visor and was on the way pretty quickly. I ate the Hammer Gel that I found in my goodie bag from packet pickup and drank 1/3 bottle of Gatorade. My legs felt really good. I saw my wife and children right out of the transition area and ran over and gave them kisses.

Find a better way to mark my spot so it found more easily. Get speed laces or whatever they are called so I spend less time in transition.

Before I made it off the turf in trasition I had a horrible cramp in my side. I don't know if it was the Hammer Gel, the Gatorade or the onset of dehydration.(I needed to pee so I didn't think it was dehydration.) Once out of sight of the transition area I started a run/walk combo. I did this for a bit until I caught up with another guy doing the same thing. We passed each other probably 4 or 5 times until I finally broke down and just adjusted so we were doing the run and walking together. We talked a bit to help get through and things were going well until we had about 1/2 mile or so to go when I started getting cramps in my legs. The Vastus Medialis (Internus)(I googled the name) in my quads were turning into rocks. I don't know if this is from running this far after the ride. I have never had this muscle get sore before so I will have to research that. Luckily my new best friend was huffing and puffing and was happy to slow down more too. We made the last corner into the home stretch and could hear the announcer and that gave a new hope and burst of energy. The pain tends to go away and I found we were running again. In the last corner into the chute I saw my wife and kids and made my path run by them and gave them high-fives. I got past the finish line and when I stopped my quads were done. They were so tight that I almost couldn't stand up. A friend of mine was working in the finish area and took my chip off my ankle for me and gave me some energy drink and a water.

I definitly need to spend more time running. I need to find a running partner to push me because I know I am capable of better gains. Although I am pretty happy with my time as it is only 4 1/2 minutes slower than my 5K PR and I figured it would take me 45 minutes.

My warm down consisted of slamming the energy drink and picking up my 3YO and carrying him around for 15 minutes. It didn't take long for my HR to come down and for my quads to loosen up. Went straigt for Pizza, Oranges, Banannas an Sprite.


I think my performance is right on target with the amount of training I put in before hand. I new the timetable for training between when I decided to jump in and give it a shot was pretty short. Also I hadn't really been on my bike in almost 8 months so that really impacted my overall time. I was also up too late and didn't eat a proper dinner the night before so nutrition could have played a factor in my performance and the cramps I experienced on the run.


The race was awesome if you don't count the 3 day wait for results. I work in computer so I understand sometimes things just don't work so I am not concerned. I hoped to do better statistically but I succeded in both my goals for my first event. Finish. And not be last in my Age Group. I think just putting in more time in training and picking my next event far enough out that I can put in the proper training and my times will improve. If you go out too quickly there won't be any room for improvement, right? I didn't wear a watch for fear of racing against the clock instead of just being there to finish an enjoy the experience. I already have started losing sleep on when and where my next race will be. If I can finish a sprint with a little preperation as I put into this, maybe with proper planning and training schedule I could be good for a HIM next summer. Hmmmmmmmmm.