Pumpkinman Triathlon - Sprint Course - TriathlonSprint


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Boulder City, Nevada
United States
BBSC Endurance Sports
80F / 27C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 54m 24s
Overall Rank = 50/172
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 9/27
Pre-race routine:

Friday night, after packet pick-up, we had to go to Boulder City to set up T2. After that we met some fellow triathletes for dinner in Boulder City (including some impromptu karaoke!). Race day morning required a long hike through the gravel parking area carrying our bikes to T1 due to the extremely long and narrow transition area. Once that was done, the rest of the time was spent taking photos, talking with friends, as well as three or four trips to the port-a-potty (nerves, I guess).
Event warmup:

There was very little opportunity to warm-up. Got into the water and did a little bit of swimming, but probably only 200m or so, and suddenly it was time for the men to start. Did not do any stretching, which may have been a good idea.
Swim
  • 17m 34s
  • 750 meters
  • 02m 20s / 100 meters
Comments:

Starting strategy worked out well, although it was accidental (which means I can't really call it a strategy, I guess) However, I happened to be out about as far as I could be, warming up, when they announced that it would be 30 seconds until the start. I stayed out, treading water, which put me in front, but away from most of the pack to start. Started kind of slow to keep myself relaxed, and make sure my heart rate stayed down, as I wanted to avoid the moment of panic that I had experienced during Slam the Dam two weeks earlier. Felt good coming around the second buoy, but absolutely could not see the next buoy due to foggy goggles combined with looking directly into the sun. Swam blind a little bit, and subsequently went off course a little. Eventually just followed someone whom I hoped was going the right way. Once I rounded the third buoy, I could see again, and started swimming faster. Hammered it on the way back in, but began sighting off the bottom once I could see the boat ramp underwater, not realizing that the side of the ramp that I was following led to the right of the last buoy. (we needed to come in to the left of it) Had to make a mad dash straight back to get on course, which cost quite a bit of energy. Came out of the water breathing hard.
What would you do differently?:

I would definitely put some kind of de-fogger on my goggles, and spend a little bit of time really examining the buoy position to plan out where each one is after the turn. Aside from that, I think I could have pushed it a little more from the start. I can do 1:50/100m in the pool, so I should be able to do better than 2:21 in a race.
Transition 1
  • 04m 26s
Comments:

I deliberately spent a little extra time in T1 due to the fact that I came out of the water feeling pretty winded. Pulled my wetsuit down to my waist right after I came out of the water and took in a Hammer Gel that I had in my trisuit pocket while I ran up to my bike. Drank some water to wash it down (it was disgusting) and took some deep breaths before taking off all my stuff and packing it up in the bag so they could move it to T2 for us. My bike was less than halfway up the transition area, so the uphill run with my bike to get out of T1 seemed to take forever!
What would you do differently?:

I really could have done it faster if I had wanted to. I guess next time I will just push through it and not use the T1 time to rest. There would have been time once I was on the bike to rest a little while still moving forward.
Bike
  • 1h 04m 16s
  • 12.4 miles
  • 11.58 mile/hr
Comments:

I feel like I should have pushed it more on the bike. It was hard to know how much to really hammer it because I wanted to make sure I had something left for the run. The hills were tough, and I was breathing hard, but mostly I just really enjoyed myself, chatting with fellow racers and taking in the scenery. I did pass a lot of people, so I knew I was doing ok, but I think I can probably shave off that four minutes anyway. Struck up a conversation with another racer at the start of the big hill at the end, and kept it up almost all the way up the hill, which was helpful I think. The distraction does wonders!
What would you do differently?:

I definitely need to get more comfortable with the downhill speed. I know I was on my brakes more than I really should have been. Being that I didn't get my bike until 3 weeks before the race, I really had no bike experience. Decided at the last minute to not wear my bike shoes because of anxiety over being clipped in. That probably slowed me down a bit, although it made my T2 super-fast! So maybe it came out in the wash.
Transition 2
  • 01m 31s
Comments:

Once again, this was a very long transition area, and my rack was very close to the opposite end, so I had to run with my bike for what seemed like ages. Had no problem finding my spot though, and the run was made much easier by the fact that I was already in my running shoes! Once I racked my bike, all I had to do was take off my helmet and put on my hat. Had one last swallow of Cytomax from my bike, and I was off!
What would you do differently?:

Don't think I'll ever be able to top this time! :)
Run
  • 28m 10s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 09m 04s  min/mile
Comments:

Felt really good throughout the run. At the very start, my right calf was cramping a little bit, but it worked itself out. Also had a mild side-stitch at the beginning, but nothing I couldn't deal with. Held back quite a bit heading out, and picked it up a little heading into the third mile. Passed a lot of people, but did get passed by a 10-year-old at one point!! Kicked it up into as close to a sprint as I could manage as I rounded the last corner, which was a little too soon - it was still an uphill quarter mile to the finish! Suffered through the last part and managed to pretty much maintain the pace, although it was painful.
What would you do differently?:

I could have picked up the pace a little from the start, and I would also spend a little less time at the aid stations. I walked through them and stopped at the trash can to drink my water and throw out my cup.
Post race
Warm down:

Overall, it was a great event - very well organized and great post-race meal. Drank my icy cold water and gatorade that was waiting for me at the finish line, and then sat in the shade and ate some yummy chicken and pasta!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Could have trained much harder than I did, especially on the bike. Definitely will be more prepared for that in the future. Need to work on more long runs. My training focus overall has been very swim-heavy, being that I did not know how to swim at all 3 months ago!! Strength training would help my swim speed also. Aside from that, just my lack of experience with racing made it hard to pace myself properly and I think my lack of confidence in my own ability made me set the pace too slow.

Event comments:

Awesome experience for my first triathlon - had a really great time!




Last updated: 2011-10-17 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:17:34 | 750 meters | 02m 20s / 100meters
Age Group: 12/27
Overall: 0/172
Performance: Average
Suit: Xterra Vortex3 Sleeveless
Course: Rectangular course heading north and moving clockwise. First leg was in pretty shallow water, which made for very murky conditions after all the churning up of the water from previous racers. Well marked with buoys, but very difficult to sight into the sun.
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 78F / 26C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 04:26
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
01:04:16 | 12.4 miles | 11.58 mile/hr
Age Group: 9/27
Overall: 0/172
Performance: Average
Wind:
Course: The course was definitely tough - very hilly with an overall elevation of 1695 ft. Beautiful though, very scenic.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Average Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:31
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Below average
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:28:10 | 03.11 miles | 09m 04s  min/mile
Age Group: 5/27
Overall: 0/172
Performance: Good
Course: Out and back along a road through residential. Pretty flat course. Lots of spectators along the way, which was really encouraging. Aid stations at mile one and mile two.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
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