Aquaphor NYC Triathlon - Triathlon


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New York, New York
United States
Korff Enterprises
85F / 29C
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 03m
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = M45-49
Age Group Rank = 160/250
Pre-race routine:

Thought this would be a fun destination race, and was fortunate enough to be entered via the lottery last fall. Racing in NYC seemed like a great spot for a race, so why not?

Arrived at hotel in mid-town on Friday. Hit one of the athlete meeting/orientation sessions, then the expo. LOTS of VERY fit looking people walking about. Didn't feel like I was one of them :). Picked up my packet, t-shirt, etc.

Saturday I did the bike drop off. Was a cool thrill biking through Manhattan to get to Riverside Park where transition was located. Big transitions to accommodate the several thousand racers. Very cool scene, but hotter than heck with humidity to match. Spent much of the non-race related time with the family doing soem touristy things in the city, and generally having a good time and supporting the NYC economy. Went to bed about 9:30
Event warmup:

Alarm at 3:30. Up, dressed, and off to the race shuttle. Arrived at transition about 4:30. Got set up, then settled in for the wait. I was in the second half of the swim start which was supposed to be at 7;10 or so. Since transition closed at 5:30, I found a nice grassy spot to hang out. Watched the pros go off, then the rest of the first pack of AG's. LIned up and headed down to the barge to start.

Technically there was no 'warm up' as both bike & swim warm ups were prohibited. No place to do it, really.
Swim
  • 18m 23s
  • 1640 yards
  • 01m 07s / 100 yards
Comments:

I was the first one down the ramp in the second wave of swimmers, so I was at the outside of the barge. Good place to take advantage of the current. Start whistle blew and in we went (about 25 of us in the group). started easy, and just kept the long glide stroke going. Navigaion was off as I kept going right and a bit off course. The kayak guys were having a field day yelling "go left" at me. Just kept plugging away, and eventually made it to the finish chute, up the stairs, and through the showers.


So, swimming in the Hudson. most say 'Ewww- gross!". Didn't have that experice. Water didn't stink, didn't see anything dead, and was only miildly salty. I could even see the bottom most of the time.
What would you do differently?:

Better navigation, but thats it.

About the current -- it didn't feel strong but looking at my finish time, the only way I could move that fast in water is using something motorized. It was quick and really moved you along. Normal time for this distance would have been 24/25 min or so
Transition 1
  • 05m 31s
Comments:

There was a 4-500 yard run from the swim exit to transition entrance. That took a while. Other than that, it was OK.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Bike
  • 1h 24m 56s
  • 24.85 miles
  • 17.67 mile/hr
Comments:

a few things stick out about the bike for me:
- right out of transition is a sharp up hill to get to the highway, and it wasn't fun
- Who though that Manhattan & the Bronx would be so freakin' hilly? It was crazy.
- Road surface was a real mixed bag. We were riding on a 3-lane city highway with all the cracks, holes, patches, and other things you experience when you drive down it. Spent more time than desired on the horns just to be sure no 'surprises' came up on the road surface
- I felt like I was riding with a flat tire the entire time. Could not shake the feeling my back wheen was flat. Even stopped at the turn around to check both tires. They were fine, no rubbing. Could not figure it out, and it was a real mental drag the whole time. Just felt slow. Time was crappy.
What would you do differently?:

Know the course?
Transition 2
  • 04m 30s
Comments:

No problem in and racking. Socks on were OK, same with sheos. Noticed a hot spot on my foot, and stopped one of the roving Aquaphor folks (event sponsor) and globbed some on. Sock/shoe back on, and all was well.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. Maybe run faster?
Run
  • 1h 09m 32s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 11m 08s  min/mile
Comments:

Felt OK getting to the park, and for the first couple of miles. did walk aid stations through the first half, and a couple of the big uphills I took my time. TONS of people watching, encouraging, and the aid stations were all great.

My lingering hamstring injury decided to make a reappearence at Mile 3 or so and became progressivly worse as I went on. By 4.5 miles, it was painful from the back of my left knee straight up through my glute into my lower back. It was not fun to even walk at times. I was at a run when I could mode, and the heat was awful.

The last mile was pretty cool, however as this lady, Kim, who recognized me from the expo on Friday (she worked the info booth) became my pace buddy. We ran just about the whole way in, and it was a great finish chute. TONS of folks cheering, etc. Felt great to finish! Grabbed water, Gatorade, cold towel, and just enjoyed standing still for a minute.
What would you do differently?:

This leg thing needs actual medical attention at this point I think. The new lower back pain with it isn't good, so I'm calling the doc this week.

If not for the injury, I'm sure this would be a much better run (kind of like "other than that Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?).
Post race
Warm down:

Drank some water, Gatorade, then made the 1+ mile walk back to transition to get my bike/pack up, and ride back to the hotel. Lots of racers to talk to on the way back, and it was a fun walk, despite the heat & being really tired

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Lack of decent run fitness/injury. I also need to see what was up with the bike. After the race, everything seemed fine with the thing, so I don't know what it was. Just odd, and annoying.

Event comments:

Great organization, volunteers everywhere, and a great job in coordinating the whole thing in what has to be as challenging a city as possible. If I lived closer, I 'd do this race again, but coming from 3 states away, the time, cost, logistics of it all likely make me a one-and-done for this tri. However, I highly recommned this to anyone who can get in. Fun, well run race!!




Last updated: 2012-12-03 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:18:23 | 1640 yards | 01m 07s / 100yards
Age Group: 26/250
Overall: 828/
Performance: Good
Suit: full sleeve
Course: A straight shot downstream in the Hudson.
Start type: Dive Plus:
Water temp: 75F / 24C Current: High
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding:
T1
Time: 05:31
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:24:56 | 24.85 miles | 17.67 mile/hr
Age Group: 160/250
Overall: 1527/
Performance: Below average
Wind: Headwind
Course: Long out & back on the Westside Highway.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 04:30
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
01:09:32 | 06.21 miles | 11m 08s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/250
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Course: straight shot down an oven-like 72nd Street to Central Park, then uphill 5 more miles to the finish (so it seemed!), all while baking in the heat.
Keeping cool Below 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? No
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4