Pat Griskus Triathlon Series - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic


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Middlebury, Connecticut
United States
Pat Griskus Triathlon Series
80F / 27C
Overcast
Total Time = 3h 21m 19s
Overall Rank = 253/282
Age Group = M3034
Age Group Rank = 34/35
Pre-race routine:

I stayed up pretty late the night before to make sure that everything was packed and ready to go. I got up when the alarm went off and took a nice hot shower. Breakfast was 2 hardboiled eggs and a slice of toast with jam, followed by a bagel with cream cheese en route. I packed the car, and off we went (wife and dad accompanied me). The wife drove, and I sat in back and listened to my music.

We got there half an hour before the horn, so I concentrated on making sure that everything was set up and that I was as calm as I could be.
Event warmup:

Minimal; I swam about 100 yards out and back.
Swim
  • 39m 51s
  • 1760 yards
  • 02m 16s / 100 yards
Comments:

Moments of panic at about 3:00 in; lots of sidestroke and forced calm. I started out way too strong and wound up with a HR of about 170. It took me a while to calm down and find my rhythm. Then at about the 750 yd mark, I realized that the water was just a little too calm, so I poked my head up and noticed that I was somewhere in the middle of the diamond. Hmm, thought I, that could be why I wasn't bumping into anyone. There was a boat heading my way, so I wouldn't have gotten too much farther anyway.
What would you do differently?:

Warm up more, probably with a balls-to-the-wall swim out to the first buoy and then back a little more sedately. Also, spot more often. In the next few months, I'll try to get in some open-water swimming as well.
Transition 1
  • 03m 28s
Comments:

I purposefully slowed it down in the transition to allow some of the freaky feeling to leave. I slid off the wetsuit (thanks Bodyglide!), rolled up socks, pulled on shoes, grabbed helmet, gave Wifey a kiss, and out I went.
What would you do differently?:

Speed it up a bit.
Bike
  • 1h 29m
  • 24 miles
  • 16.18 mile/hr
Comments:

Last-minute course change caused me a little confusion, but still a much better ride than the previous week.
What would you do differently?:

It would be very nice to have an actual tri bike. Yes, yes it would. Also, I will probably just take one bottle with me, and take a second at the aid station.
Transition 2
  • 01m 56s
Comments:

After T1, T2 seemed too easy. Change shoes and headgear, and away we go.
What would you do differently?:

Speed it up, and not chug as much gatorade before leaving.
Run
  • 1h 07m 32s
  • 6.2 miles
  • 10m 53s  min/mile
Comments:

The run kicked what little was left of my ass. On the second loop, I realized I had very little arm strength (glycogen kicked?). I opted to try a Hammer gel at mile 4, and was surprised to find a yummy jam that gave me just enough of a boost to pick it up a bit. Definitely need water with those things, though.

I came close to booting at about mile 1, and in retrospect, I probably should have just let it out. All that fluid was sloshing around, and I was STILL thirsty and overheated.
What would you do differently?:

Add nutrition. That gel was amazing; if I'd had one at the start of the run, I probably would have been able to shave a few minutes off. Ultimately, though, I need to run more. It's a good thing I got hooked on it.
Post race
Warm down:

Walk it off, add a little Tiger Balm, and walk it off some more. It must have worked, because I had just a little residual soreness in the calves the following two days.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

1. Excess weight. Losing 30 lbs in the last six months helped tremendously, losing the next 30 lbs should be astonishing.
2. I'm still new at running. 1:07 for a 10K is an average time for me, and according to my coach, a very respectable finish for someone who couldn't run a quarter mile a year ago.
3. I'm new at multisport. I was a little afraid to leave the transition area for the bike; where was my helmet? Were my shoes tied? Did I have my snacky bar? (on my head; they're tied with race laces; yes.)
4. Hell, I'm still new at RACING. I brought too much water on the bike; it was just enough for the ride, but I should have only brought one bottle and taken one at the aid station. I brought too much water on the run; they literally had water every mile.

Event comments:

That finish line was the most beautiful thing in the world, until I saw my dad's face light up as I crossed it.




Last updated: 2006-06-18 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:39:51 | 1760 yards | 02m 16s / 100yards
Age Group: 31/35
Overall: 240/282
Performance: Average
Suit: Promotion Fluid Drive Sleeveless
Course: Diamond course in Lake Quassapaug, clockwise
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 68F / 20C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Average Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 03:28
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
01:29:00 | 24 miles | 16.18 mile/hr
Age Group: 27/35
Overall: 240/282
Performance:
Wind: Little
Course: http://patgriskustri.com/images/OlyBikeCourse.jpg, except turn down Crane Hollow Rd one block before Chohees Trail (top ten rode full course, ~24.8 mi; remainder rode abbreviated course, ~23.4 mi).
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:56
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
01:07:32 | 06.2 miles | 10m 53s  min/mile
Age Group: 34/35
Overall: 267/282
Performance: Average
Course: Same as sprint course (out & back 2x).
Keeping cool Average Drinking Too much
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5