Outer Banks Triathlon - Half Iron Course - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Manteo, North Carolina
United States
Outer Banks Sporting Events
75F / 24C
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 05m 18s
Overall Rank = 7/105
Age Group = 35 - 39
Age Group Rank = 2/
Pre-race routine:

Got to OBX on Friday morning and spent the afternoon on the beach (in the shade). This race is/was to be an IM Florida tune up on similar conditions. Not really sweating this one since it was not an "A" race and the goal was to finish comfortably and work on pacing. Pre-race dinner at Kill Devil Grill (great place) with some grilled shrimp pasta and some vino.

Up at 4:30 for pre-race breakfast of oatmeal, PB English muffin, instant coffee, ensure, and an apple. Got to race site at 6am and got setup. Less race nerves than normal.
Event warmup:

I stretched a bit but that was it.
Swim
  • 37m 24s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 46s / 100 yards
Comments:

First race in ocean and the chop in the sound took a bit to get used to breathing and not getting a mouthful. I was in no rush on the swim, just looking to see what IM swim pacing might be in salt water. Went out at pace I thought I could hold for 2.4 miles. Pace was 1:45/100 which is right around my easy 1hr swim pace in the pool. No problems getting into shore and was happy to see there weren't too many people already finished.
What would you do differently?:

For a IM tune-up race, nothing. If this was an A race, maybe knock 2min on total time.
Transition 1
  • 02m 29s
Comments:

No issues here. Wetsuit a little stuck trying to get if over the Garmin.
What would you do differently?:

Maybe use body glide on forearm to help suit over the Garmin
Bike
  • 2h 38m 25s
  • 56 miles
  • 21.21 mile/hr
Comments:

Let my HR dictate the pace. Goal was to keep HR in zone 2 the entire ride. Coming out of T1, my HR was too high or HRM was acting up (probably a combo of both since there was no way I was at 180). Took about 4m for my HR to settle in. Once I was in the groove, I felt great. The multiple turn-a-rounds were slow but I was out front so not much traffic. The headwind going out over the bridge was ridicules, especially on the second loop. It was all I could do to avg 17mph for those 2.5 miles (although a nice 25mph on the way back). Was passed twice on the bike, including the guy who won my AG. Roads were excellent except for the mile stretch on Airport Rd (which you rode 4 time). Felt good the entire bike (minus the bridge) and my IM nutrition plan seemed to work well (350-400 cal/hr).
What would you do differently?:

For a IM tune-up race, nothing. If this was an A race, ride low zone 3 instead of zone 2. Need to remember to tighten HRM as it loosened up on the swim under the wet suit.
Transition 2
  • 01m 5s
Comments:

No issues here.
Run
  • 1h 45m 54s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 05s  min/mile
Comments:

OK, the main plan here was to not blow up on the run like I have in two previous HIM. I made a conscious effort to keep the pace slower on the opening miles (unlike I have done in the past) and to keep an eye on my HR. First few miles clicked off at 7:55 which was a little faster then I wanted but still acceptable. First 3 miles couldn't tell if we were passing HIM or Oly folks. Once we got past the Oly turn around, could see who actually in my race. Felt excellent through 5 miles or so. Saw the lead male coming by and he had quite a lead. Didn't see 2nd place until almost another mile and I realized I wasn't that far from the turn around so I started counting runners to give me something to do. Got to the turn around and I was in 12th overall (with some relay folks in there)??? At that point I turned off my HRM alerts as I know I was like 1bpm below the alert and the temps were rising. Still feeling great and came up on the womens leader and passed her pretty convincingly and another two guys that were in front of me. I then got schooled by the overall womens winner as she was flying (but she still finished slower than me as they started before us ;-). Was getting warm but otherwise felt great...until mile 12. The last mile is through a soft trail in the airport and totally exposed. The soft footing was starting to give me calf cramps with about 3/4 mile to go. I kept looking back to see how far the next runner was in case I had to limp it in. The cramps kept coming but none were long lived and I was able to make it in in good shape. The crazy headwind for final half mile made it even more interesting! Saw the family as I was about to come down the shoot and my daughter made sure she run the finish with me since she knows she can't do it at IM Florida. Felt surprisingly good at the finish compared to the other two HIM's.
What would you do differently?:

Probably should have worked more on my IM pacing but once I saw where I stood overall, I knew a AG award was in the works if I could keep a decent pace for the second half. If this was an A race, I feel I could have run 1:41ish and not blown up.
Post race
Warm down:

Grabbed some beer, bananas, and a coke and then just hung with the family on the playground and let the dog fetch sticks out of the sound. Results went up and I was 2nd in AG and 7th overall so waited for the awards ceremony that was supposed to be at 1pm. 1:30 rolled around and still no ceremony yet and I was getting antsy so I asked a few folks and learned the male AG awards did't arrive in time and they were going to mail them so I packed up the family and hit the road back to the beach.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Used this race as a IM Florida pacing tune up due to it's similar conditions and course. Plan changed s little bit on the run but didn't go all out.

Event comments:

Great overall race. My only complaint was that awards ceremony started way late and the male AG awards weren't even there so I wasted 90 minutes just waiting around when i could be back at the beach (this was vacation first, race second). The swim, bike, and run courses were nice, the volunteers friendly, decent post race spread (more salty food next time please), and really cool finisher medal. Not sure I will be back as 6hr drive to race isn't my thing but recommend this race (or the Oly) to anyone looking for a great race in a great OBX location.




Last updated: 2012-08-02 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:37:24 | 2112 yards | 01m 46s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 28/105
Performance: Average
Suit: De Soto Black Pearl
Course: Triangle course. The swim portion will start at the Old Swimming Hole location next to the Dare County airport on Roanoke Island. Swimmers will behold panoramic views of the Croatan Sound and the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge and Manns Harbor Bridge.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 73F / 23C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting:
Waves: Average Navigation: Average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 02:29
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
02:38:25 | 56 miles | 21.21 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 9/105
Performance: Good
AVG HR - 142
Wind: Some
Course: The bike will be an out and back on smooth flat road outside of Manteo and into Mashoes. (yes Mashoes:-) ). The bike portion features 1 rolling hillover the Mann's Harbor Bridge; a 2.65 mile long bridge over the Croatan sound. There is very little traffic and abundant views of the soundside marsh and wetlands. Double loop with 5 total turn arounds
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 88
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:05
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
01:45:54 | 13.1 miles | 08m 05s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 15/105
Performance: Good
Avg HR - 157
Course: The runs will be flat out and backs through the airport and around the Manteo area. Offering a beauriful foot tour of Mother Vineyard area and the north end of beautiful Roanoke Island. This is a predominantly shaded course.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
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] 4