Deer Creek Fall Challenge Half Iron Triathlon - Triathlon


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Mt. Sterling, Ohio
United States
HFP Racing
74F / 23C
Overcast
Total Time = 5h 23m 18s
Overall Rank = 40/105
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 6/12
Pre-race routine:

2 hour drive from Cincinnati. Was my first long triathlon. I had one short sprint under my belt from May 2013. Should have stopped at a restroom on I-71 because the port-o-let line was 20 minutes. Set up my transition area. The set up was racks that hold 4 bikes. 2 facing each direction, then a space, and then another 4- bike rack. I managed to find one with an empty spot :-)
Event warmup:

None. Didn't even stretch. I simply forgot.
Swim
  • 29m 23s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 23s / 100 yards
Comments:

I freaked the F%$K out. This was my first time in open water and my first time in a wetsuit. Of all 3 disciplines I was most comfortable with this piece. I had an all out panic attack and thought my race was over 2 minutes in to it. Not sure why it happened? That is why it is called a panic attack. Ended up settling down by racing way outside, focusing, and literally forcing myself to smile in the water. Once I settled in, I did great.
What would you do differently?:

Arrive early and get in the water and swim before to settle down. I wasn't sure how I would stack up but it appears I am a faster swimmer so I will get up front next time to avoid the traffic. Prepare to have leg cramping. I have no idea why my legs cramp when I swim, especially since I don't kick much but it happens more and more. Think I will try pickle juice and/or mustard before next swim.
Transition 1
  • 03m 50s
Comments:

Didn't dry off enough and had a heck of a time getting Bike Jersey on. Also getting socks on was a nightmare.
What would you do differently?:

Wear jersey beneath wetsuit and not wear socks.
Bike
  • 2h 44m 54s
  • 56 miles
  • 20.38 mile/hr
Comments:

Very pleased.
What would you do differently?:

Eliminate cramps from swim that haunted me miles 35-56.

Put in more long distance rides. I trained at 41 miles all summer and only rode 50+ 2 times prior to race. Lost power on the last lap. I need to commit to longer rides.
Transition 2
  • 02m 45s
Comments:

Didn't seem this slow. My bike was on back of rack and that slowed me down a little.
What would you do differently?:

Move bike to front of rack.
Run
  • 2h 02m 24s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 09m 20s  min/mile
Comments:

Thigh cramping prevented me from running fast. Was hoping for an 8:45 pace but fell way short. Every time I pushed the cramping started. But I never walked!
What would you do differently?:

I'm starting over. If you want to place well you must be able to finish fast and strong. I failed at this. I am not getting any faster by running further in my training, so no more long runs for a while. I want to run 7:30 miles. So I'm going to start with 1 mile until I run a 7:30, the 2, then 3...
Post race
Warm down:

N/A. grabbed a drink, packed the car, and went home.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Panic on the swim, cramping, being under prepared for the bike distance, and running like an elephant :-)

Event comments:

This was my first half ironman distance race. I am very pleased but also know I can cut 30 minutes off with some changes. This was a "racers" race. I was the only first timer. Racers were polite, supportive, and experienced. Will definitely do this race again.




Last updated: 2013-10-03 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:29:23 | 2112 yards | 01m 23s / 100yards
Age Group: 2/12
Overall: 13/105
Performance: Good
Suit: Xterra wetsuit sleeveless Vortex 4
Course: 2 Counter clockwise rectangle loops
Start type: Wade Plus: Shot
Water temp: 70F / 21C Current: Low
200M Perf. Bad Remainder: Good
Breathing: Below average Drafting: Bad
Waves: Good Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Below average
T1
Time: 03:50
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
02:44:54 | 56 miles | 20.38 mile/hr
Age Group: 5/12
Overall: 36/105
Performance: Good
Wind: Some with gusts
Course: Flat with 3 hills at the end of the 18 mile loop. 30% of the roads seemed to be paved/loose gravel roads. The looked and felt worse than they really were. Didn't bother me too much but definitely steals some power. 3 hills in last 3 miles. They are not huge but will catch you off guard if you are not ready for them.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence: 83
Turns: Below average Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:45
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Bad
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Below average
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:02:24 | 13.1 miles | 09m 20s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/12
Overall: 7/105
Performance: Below average
Course: Very flat out and back that you run 2 times. Each way is about 3.25 miles. Very boring. Leave parking lot, run across grass dam, across concrete path above dam gates, then run on paved streets.
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: Below average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4