Barb's Race - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Guerneville, California
United States
Vineman
Total Time = 6h 54m 48s
Overall Rank = 233/496
Age Group = W 50-54
Age Group Rank = 22/59
Pre-race routine:

Prior evening - pasta dish at the Applewood Inn.

Morning - Ate a small amount of a sprouted wheat bagel and drank water.
Event warmup:

None
Swim
  • 41m 8s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 56s / 100 yards
Comments:

I expected to be frightened at the start of the swim so I positioned myself at the back and toward the inside. Unfortunately, I was surrounded by other frightened women, many more so than me. I had a difficult time getting started. I tried breast stroke for a short while and ultimately swam back stroke until I was near the bridges. At that point, I stood up and walked a few steps to regain composure and then began swimming. After that I was generally fine.
What would you do differently?:

Position myself a little better at the start and continue to work on my open water swimming fears.
Transition 1
  • 09m 22s
Comments:

Having never experienced a triathlon transition before, I was a little disoriented. I felt that I needed to completely dry myself before starting to ride. I also took extra time taking my bag to my husband and walking my bike through the transition and up the hill at the start.
What would you do differently?:

Hasten my pace and not worry about the wet clothing.
Bike
  • 3h 44m 25s
  • 56 miles
  • 14.97 mile/hr
Comments:

Although my time was slow relative to other participants, I am new to riding and this was actually a very good time for me. My race plan was to maintain 15 mph and I did.
What would you do differently?:

I would train and plan to ride at a slightly higher speed. I would also practice drinking from a water bottle so that I wouldn't need the camel bak. The extra weight caused shoulder/upper back fatigue and tightness.
Transition 2
  • 08m 36s
Comments:

Again, I think not having participated in a triathlon before caused my transitions to be much slower than average. However, my main objective was to finish the event so I tried to approach all segments in a calm and steady manner.
What would you do differently?:

Practice transitions
Run
  • 2h 11m 17s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 10m 01s  min/mile
Comments:

I felt really good at the start of the run and throughout the first loop, maintaining 9 min. miles. I used the Galloway run/walk plan running 9 min. and walking 1 min. At the start of the second loop I started feeling considerably fatigued and warm. I switched to 8:2 (run:walk) for a couple miles and then found I had to walk much of miles 11 and 12. I recovered and ran the last mile and finish.
What would you do differently?:

Not sure. Maybe start with a 8:2 run/walk plan.
Post race
Warm down:

Drank lots of water and ate watermelon.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Probably inexperience. I generally performed according to my race plan with the exception of the additional walking at the end of the run.

Event comments:

My decision to participate in Barb's Race was more of a "bucket list" thing. I wanted to see if I could do one. Now I'm trying to decide whether or not to do more ;-)


Profile Album


Last updated: 2012-03-05 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:41:08 | 2112 yards | 01m 56s / 100yards
Age Group: 14/59
Overall: 170/496
Performance: Good
Suit: AquaSphere Racer Wetsuit
Course: Russian River out and back
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 70F / 21C Current: Low
200M Perf. Bad Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 09:22
Performance: Bad
Cap removal: Below average Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: No
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Bad
Biking
03:44:25 | 56 miles | 14.97 mile/hr
Age Group: 39/59
Overall: 355/496
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course: A beautiful ride through the vineyards but with winding hills, rutted roads, and shadows
Road: Rough Dry Cadence: 100
Turns: Bad Cornering: Bad
Gear changes: Average Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 08:36
Overall: Bad
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
02:11:17 | 13.1 miles | 10m 01s  min/mile
Age Group: 7/59
Overall: 104/496
Performance: Good
Course: One and a half loops in area near Windsor High School. More hilly and hotter than I expected.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
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? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5