HITS Triathlon Series: Hunter Mountain - Half Iron Course - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Haines Falls, New York
United States
HITS Triathlon Series
70F / 21C
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 33m 43s
Overall Rank = 20/119
Age Group = M25-29
Age Group Rank = 2/9
Pre-race routine:

Went with the breakfast I eat most days (Multigrain Cheerios with Blueberries) then drove to the course and set up transition. Despite eating a very familar meal, my stomach was acting up, luckily it resolved and did not affect my race.
Event warmup:

Got in the (cold!) water and swam a few strokes.
Swim
  • 33m 42s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 36s / 100 yards
Comments:

Easily my best swim ever. This time includes the run up the hill to transition, checking my watch coming out the water I got about 33:00 flat. I got into a good pace after the initial rush and was able to find some feet to draft on the long stretch after the first turn. With the shore so close most of the time navigation was pretty easy, as this was my straightest swim ever. After rounding the last bouy I kicked it in to the finish.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, great swim. This gives me tons of confidence for Lake Placid
Transition 1
  • 01m 56s
Comments:

Not my best transition ever because I decided to throw on a jersey so I could carry my gels. Gels were already in the jersey ahead of time but I'm not sure that actually helped anything.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing new on race day! (throwing on a pre filled jersey)
Bike
  • 3h 11m 20s
  • 56 miles
  • 17.56 mile/hr
Comments:

Weird that cycling is now my slowest sport. To be fair I was practicing full IM pace so I was definitely holding back a tad. I went up a couple hills a bit harder than I should for a full, but for this race my pacing was fine.
What would you do differently?:

Not much, treated it as a training ride so I can't complain about the time.
Transition 2
  • 00m 54s
Comments:

This is more like it for me. No wasted time. Skipped the socks which came back to get me with some blisters
What would you do differently?:

Nothing
Run
  • 1h 45m 51s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 05s  min/mile
Comments:

I started out a bit too fast but then settled down on the downhill after the park. After about 3 miles a guy tried to pass me and my plan of pacing as I would for a full went right out the window. We ran together for the next 9 miles at a pretty tough pace. He almost broke me on the long climb back into the park but I held on. I knew my only chance to break away would be on the last downhill with about a mile to go (I noticed him slow on a previous decline). Knowing I wouldn't beat him in a sprint at the uphill finish, I went for it when I could. I put enough space between us to be able to hold on for a 12 second win.
What would you do differently?:

Totally trashed my legs for a couple days in the middle of build period for Lake Placid, but that was just so much fun I can't regret it.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked around, barely stretched, and went down to the lake to cool off.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Pacing the bike for 112 miles.

Event comments:

Fantastic race, HITS did a great job organizing this event. Volunteers were plentiful and helpful. Now that HITS Cooperstown has been moved to Hunter in September, I'll probably be back here soon.




Last updated: 2012-02-28 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:33:42 | 2112 yards | 01m 36s / 100yards
Age Group: 1/9
Overall: 19/119
Performance: Good
Suit:
Course: Triangular course that covered all of South Lake
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 61F / 16C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Good
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 01:56
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed:
Biking
03:11:20 | 56 miles | 17.56 mile/hr
Age Group: 7/9
Overall: 48/119
Performance: Good
Wind:
Course: Loop in the beautiful Catskills. Steep but short climb early, long but low grade climb late. Overall slightly more climbing than one loop of Lake Placid
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 00:54
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
01:45:51 | 13.1 miles | 08m 05s  min/mile
Age Group: 2/9
Overall: 12/119
Performance: Good
Course: Very hilly out and back. This run course was tough.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
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: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5