Marquee Triathlon - Olympic Course - TriathlonOlympic


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Tempe, Arizona
United States
Red Rock Co.
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 40m 13s
Overall Rank = 209/217
Age Group = M 50-54
Age Group Rank = 19/21
Pre-race routine:

This was my first Olympic distance race, so I was very nervous and concerned about the distance of each portion.

Ate a protein bar for breakfast (stayed at a hotel so it was not my usual cereal and yogurt). Got to transition an hour early and set-up while my wife parked the truck. I got bodymarked, walked through transition, counted the rows to my bike rack twice, got in my wetsuit, and hung out with my wife. Before the swim started, I ran into a friend who was also doing the Olympic distance and a couple of guys from Phoenix Triathlon Club. I also had unbelievable cyber-support from the Rookie Tri-Maniacs! It was great to get such positive support for so many immediately before my first Olympic distance race!
Event warmup:

I got in the water about 5 minutes early, swam out to the starting line and waited. This gave me plenty of time to acclimate to the cool water.
Swim
  • 38m 19s
  • 1640 yards
  • 02m 20s / 100 yards
Comments:

The water was nice once acclimated for a couple of minutes. The swim was smooth and there was little crowding at the start. For the first time, I kept my pace and breathing correct from the start. The four bridges we swam under gave great sighting and made "chunking" the course easy for me. I got concerned for no reason when I could not see the turn bouy after passing the last bridge (Mill Avenue bridge). I felt like the swim would never end. Once I saw the bouy the swim proceeded well because I had the bridges and final turn bouy as landmarks. Using the stairs is always tough for a tall guy, but the volunteers tugged hard and got me out quickly. The wetsuit strippers were efficient and fast! It was a joy to have them there.
What would you do differently?:

Just swim and stop being so concerned about how far it is to the turn bouy. That alone cost me a couple of minutes. Practice OWS more often so I get the distance without stopping every 25 yards to turn around. It is probaly more of a mental thing, but it is a thing none the less.
Transition 1
  • 06m 47s
Comments:

The run to my bike was good,and I threw my wetsuit on the bike frame while I put on my cycling shoes and socks. This was the first time I wore them and my feet were wet and grassy. I thought putting them on went fast. Then I tried to make too many decisions in transition. I had arm and leg warmers...hmmm, which should I wear (I wore neither because the weather was great)...Should I wear my Phoenix Triathlon Club jersey (of course!!!)...what nutrition should I take...hmmm. I need to lay out my stuff and move through it. The run to the mount line was good (probably because I was SOOO well rested from my time in T1!).
What would you do differently?:

Everything! Work on getting more focused after being in the water, take the decisions out of transition once the race starts, practice, practice, practice!!
Bike
  • 1h 32m 15s
  • 25 miles
  • 16.26 mile/hr
Comments:

The bike ride went well. My ITB started hurting a little after the turnaround, but I felt pretty good otherwise. I held back a bit because I knew I needed to save something for the run. I was hoping for 17mph, but would have been wasted had I pushed to get there. While riding the bike, I got shout-outs from several PTC members, and Amy, one of the club members, pulled up next to me and gave me some encouragemnt and chatted for a couple of minutes before she took off. It was nice having that support while on the road away from spectators. The Beeline Highway was, of course, windy. The wind from the SW slowed my return ride. Since this was my first Olympic, it was interesting seeing sprint racers at their turn a round point. Overall, I am pleased with the ride.
What would you do differently?:

Since I was having knee problems a few months ago, recently got a bike fit, and took February off of training due to surgery , I think I did pretty good. As always, there is endurance and speed to work on.
Transition 2
  • 03m 44s
Comments:

Run in from the dismount line went well as did racking my bike. Changing shoes was slow because I had not switched this set of running shoes to SpeedLaces. Yes, I had to lace up my shoes. More decisions on do I take water, do I take nutrition, do I leave on my Phx Tri Club jersey (OF COURSE), etc...
What would you do differently?:

Put SpeedLaces in ALL of my running shoes! Stop making decisions in transition...just set up transition with what I need and nothing else. Practice, practice, practice.
Run
  • 1h 19m 6s
  • 6.2 miles
  • 12m 46s  min/mile
Comments:

I was not looking forward to the run! As soon as I took my first step onto pavement, I realized I had bruised the inside of my left heel (I found out later I had a big bruise there) that really hurt. I adjusted my stride accordingly. For the first time during a race I used a Port-A-John! I incorporated walking sooner and more frequently than I originally intended. My ITB was bugging and hurting high-up. At mile 3 I came across a guy in my age group who was also having some issues. We ran walked together for a mile or so. This helped recharge me, told him I was going to head out and beat him...both of which I did! The rest of the run hurt but I pushed as hard as I could and ran as much as I thought was safe.

The best thing about the run is the finish line is at the end!! At the finish line was my wife with a big victory smoochie for me! :) I now have my first Olympic distance triathlon behind me!! While I have so much room for improvement, I am overall pleased with my performace in this race!
What would you do differently?:

Start a structured run program to build up my run base. Run more.
Post race
Warm down:

Hung out at Phoenix Triathlon Club tent and chatted for a little while. Consumed some hydration and nutrition. Gathered my bike and gear, and headed home.

Today was a GREAT race day!!!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Taking FOREVER in transition...especially T1. Use a roller on my ITB. Put more time in running. Overall, more time and focus in training.

Event comments:

Red Rock consistently puts on a great race. This race was well organized, well produced, had lots of enthusiastic volunteers, everything was on time, and it was just fun! I look forward to doing Red Rock events because the are so good.




Last updated: 2011-11-28 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:38:19 | 1640 yards | 02m 20s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/21
Overall: 0/217
Performance: Good
Suit: Zoot Conduit long sleeve wetsuit
Course: Rectangular course in Tempe Towne Lake.
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 65F / 18C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 06:47
Performance: Bad
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:32:15 | 25 miles | 16.26 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/21
Overall: 0/217
Performance: Average
Wind: Some
Course: This route went to the Beeline Highway with the turnaround at Gilbert Road (1 loop). It was 25 miles of the 37 IMAZ loop.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Average Hills: Average
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 03:44
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Below average
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
01:19:06 | 06.2 miles | 12m 46s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/21
Overall: 0/217
Performance: Good
Course: This was one loop around Tempe Town Lake. There were some inclines, overpasses and bridges, but nothing close to a hill. Overall, this was a flat, fast course.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
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