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 Swim
Comments: I seeded myself back and to the outside. Then to avoid the washing machine effect, I was swimming out wide of the pack. I didn't bother trying to draft off of anyone, though I felt a few touches from behind throughout the swim. In spite of the navigation issues, I felt good swimming. I could easily have pushed harder but tried to pace myself. One sleeve of my wetsuit wasn't quite straight and that caused a bit of bunching up under my right armpit. It was a little chaffed there afterwards. What would you do differently?: I should probably learn to be more aggressive, swimming straighter and in the pack.  Transition 1
Comments: They had a couple of plasic kid's pools to run through as we entered the paved transition area from the beach so my feet were clean already. After all the stress earlier, I tried to be deliberate and methodical. I put on socks and shoes, not trying anything fancy yet, and got everything I intended to take. Ran to the mount line, getting clipped in and away efficiently.  Bike
Comments: I started slowly, intending to pace myself. They had made a big deal about drafting penalties however, so I kept pulling out to pass and holding more speed to clear the other bikes. Then I would catch another right away, and another. To be sure, a few passed me but not many. The faster riders were long gone by the time I got rolling. I thought I was probably going too hard but I hadn't ever really pushed myself to know for sure so I went with it. I was working too hard in the traffic on the way out to fuss with gels or the power bar I had brought though I did drink a bit, both gatorade and water. After the turnaround, we were going back down the valley and with a tailwind. I sat up and got the power bar out but I was still reeling in other riders while I ate. I was hitting over 50 km/hr a couple times on the way back. The total time was 1:18:30 but that included transitions so I estimated 3 1/2 min. for those. What would you do differently?: Spend more time on nutrition/hydration and back it down a notch or two to save something for the run. Maybe leave the bike gloves behind 'cause they were a pain to get off and on when eating. I should also look at getting some aero bars. A tri bike might help but that's not in the picture this year. Transition 2
Comments: Not as much to do in T2 but I still took my time and made sure I did what I wanted to. What would you do differently?: I probably should have had the gel now that I forgot to take before the start or during the bike.  Run
Comments: I ran, or something like it. It hurt, but I ran. Everyone I saw was passing me. About 2km into the run one lady commented as she passed "Now that's an ironman shuffle if I've ever seen one!" I walked the water stations that I drank at though I skipped a few of them. Otherwise I kept running. Oh wait, except for stopping twice to retie my right shoe. Doh! About 1/2 a kilometer from the finish, I heard yet another set of footsteps coming up behind me. I started pumping the knees and elbows harder, and held him off to the line. My wife got a picture of us coming in to the finish and he was only about 10 feet back. My hamstring muscles are not happy with me right now. What would you do differently?: Train more on the bike and the run, seperately and in bricks. Try not to leave everything on the bike course. Even though this time was close to my usual slow pace, it cost way too much effort to do it. Post race
Warm down: I walked a bit to cool down and found my wife. Her arthritis was starting to bother her with all the standing and walking she'd been doing. She had forgotten her lunch ticket in the van so I got her to a bench and ran to get the ticket. Sort of. We had lunch and she rested back at the van while I checked if I'd won any draws at the awards presentations. I sat for a few minutes with another guy and his wife from Lethbridge. Event comments: In spite of a few aches and pains, I had a blast and learned lots. :) Well run event, except for some line ups at the port-a-potties and a last minute change in package pickup location. Good food and lots of great volunteers. You may not need it, but bring mosquito repellent! Last updated: 2006-04-24 12:00 AM
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Canada
Rocky Mountain Triathlon
17C / 63F
Overcast
Overall Rank = 249/314
Age Group = M 45-49
Age Group Rank = 14/16
Race put on by: http://www.rmevents.com/
Stayed at a motel room about 20min. from the venue. Up early and had a bagel, some raisins, coffee, and a yogurt cup. Showered, loaded the van and got to the site about at the posted opening time for the transition area. Too late for the best parking and rack spots though. There was a bike booth doing tire pressure checks and top ups so I took the bike over. Something let go as soon as he started to pump and my back tire went flat. Back to my rack spot and changed the tube but at least I had brought two spares so there was still one for the race. While putting the tube in, my little hand pump fell apart but I collected the parts, figured out where everything went, and got it screwed back together. Went back, got the tire pumped up, and re-installed it on the bike, forgetting to check the front tire. Went to use a washroom and... waited... in... line... By the time I got back they were just starting the pre-race instructions, a few minutes late. Luckily it was close to my rack spot so I went and got my wetsuit on while listening to the announcements. Then it was time to run down to the beach, checking the timing chip over the mat on the way, and straight into a quick warmup swim. I forgot to have my usual pre-race gel and that may have cost me something later.
Besides the stress of running around getting my bike tire fixed, I got a few minutes of warm up swimming too.