Stanford Treeathlon - TriathlonSprint


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Redwood City, California
United States
Stanford University Triathlon Team
52F / 11C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 12m 33s
Overall Rank = 65/135
Age Group = 50-54
Age Group Rank = 6/14
Pre-race routine:

Arrived at event site at about 7:30. Plenty of time to wander the transition area and check out the swim course.
Event warmup:

Jogged, stretched.
Swim
  • 13m 49s
  • 547 yards
  • 02m 32s / 100 yards
Comments:

During the first 250 yards or so, there was lots and lots of bumping and pushing going on -- no surprise. But I survived. I eventually managed to find a groove. But I was breathing every two strokes, instead of three. I just couldn't hold a longer pattern. I'm guessing my breathing issues must have been due to the cold water and crowded conditions. Overall, I was somewhat satisfied with my swim. I checked my watch just after I got out of the water, and I was at about 10:15. But I still had a 1/3 mile run to the transition area, which added several minutes to my time. The post-swim run was actually the toughest part of the swim leg. It took a while for the blood to return to my legs just so I could sorta jog/run. Anyway, no excuses. Everybody faced the same thing I did...
What would you do differently?:

The main mistake I made was starting in the left-middle near the front. I thought that staying as close to the buoys as possible was the best route to take. The problem was, EVERYBODY else was thinking the same exact thing. It seemed like every swimmer in the race converged directly in MY PATH. Hmmppph. :-)
Transition 1
  • 01m 19s
Comments:

T1 went as planned.
Bike
  • 34m 41s
  • 12.43 miles
  • 21.50 mile/hr
Comments:

I was hoping to get my time down in the 33-minute range, but it didn't happen. I might have been too conservative. My legs seemed to loosen up by the third lap, so I might have just been cold. Who knows...
What would you do differently?:

It's still early in the season, so I can't really make any assumptions yet. I've mostly been focused on endurance during the winter. But I know that I now need to add some regular bike intensity workouts to my schedule. I just didn't have enough umph in my legs to find any more speed. It'll come -- I hope.
Transition 2
  • 01m 23s
Comments:

I had some issues unclipping my helmet and putting on my socks. I guess it didn't cost me too much time, though.
What would you do differently?:

Practice unclipping my helmet and putting on my socks. Unfortunately, I still need to wear socks when I run..
Run
  • 21m 20s
  • 3.1 miles
  • 06m 53s  min/mile
Comments:

If the course distance is accurate, this was a 5K PR for me -- in or out of a triathlon. I managed to find a groove and stayed with it. I kept thinking I might cramp up, but it didn't happen. I had a decent kick at the end (well, for a geezer like me, anyway).
What would you do differently?:

I think I was too afraid of cramping up. I'm not sure why I was worried -- it's only a 5K, and the temperature was reasonably cool. I should have pushed the pace earlier. But I can't complain. A PR is a PR.
Post race
Warm down:

Walk around, stretched a bit.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I probably didn't get amped up enough to put in a solid bike leg. Usually, I'm fighting hard on my bike to make up for a poor swim.

Event comments:

Lots and lots of college kids in the race -- it was sponsored by the Stanford Triathlon Club. Anyways, I felt really, really old. This was my first official race in the 50-54 AG.




Last updated: 2012-01-05 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:13:49 | 547 yards | 02m 32s / 100yards
Age Group: 6/14
Overall: 0/135
Performance: Good
Swim time includes a 1/3 mile run to transition area.
Suit: Orca Sonar
Course: Protected marina area. Point to point (from one dock to another). The actual swim course is great -- plenty of room, well-marked buoys, etc. But the run from the water exit to the transition area is amazingly long (about 1/3 mile). It really adds some minutes to the swim time (at least 3-4 minutes). But everybody had to do it, so I can't complain.
Start type: Deep Water Plus:
Water temp: 54F / 12C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Below average Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 01:19
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
00:34:41 | 12.43 miles | 21.50 mile/hr
Age Group: 7/14
Overall: 0/135
Performance: Average
Wind: None
Course: Three laps around a business park area along SF Bay. Some curves and turns, but very flat. Plenty of room to pass (and get passed). There were some cobblestone bumps in a couple of spots, but the road was in good overall shape.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks:
T2
Time: 01:23
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
00:21:20 | 03.1 miles | 06m 53s  min/mile
Age Group: 9/14
Overall: 0/135
Performance: Good
Course: Out and back course -- mostly on sidewalk and parking lot. Flat as a pancake. Just a slight breeze.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
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? No
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4