Florida Challenge Triathlon - Long Course - Triathlon


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Clermont, Florida
United States
Sommer Sports, Inc.
71F / 22C
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 17m 39s
Overall Rank = 30/423
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 4/31
Pre-race routine:

1. Taper
I decided not to taper as I want to race a little bit fatigued. However, that was tru only for swimming and biking, I didn’t run the week before this race due to a right calf injury

2. Travel
We left Miami at 5 pm and we were expecting to arrive to Orlando (where we booked our hotel) around 8:30 pm. We didn’t arrive until past 11 pm due to lot of traffic. I was exhausted after the trip and working all day long

3. Pre-Race Dinner
We didn’t have much choice, since it was late and most places were closed or about to. We had to settle for Qdoba and I ordered a Queso Burrito (it was spicy too). Terrible decision, but I was tired, cranky, and hungry. I needed something to cheer me up. Never do this again, I had GI issues during the race…

4. Rest
We went to bed around midnight after checking-in in our hotel and woke up at 4:30 am. I didn’t get as much rest as I would’ve liked, especially after a long drive

2.Race Day:

2.1. Nutrition
3 hours before race start: 120 gr of cereal + 300 ml milk with Nesquick
1:30 hours before race start: half banana
Sip of water and/or sports drink during the last hour

2.2. Set Up
After picking up the race packet I set up my transition as usual. Once I was done, I headed to the beach area and put my wetsuit on
Event warmup:

I swam 100 – 150 yards. I wanted to swim a little bit more, but I didn’t have time. At least I was able to get in the water, I don’t like when I can’t get in the water before the race

Swim
  • 31m 42s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 30s / 100 yards
Comments:

My best swim ever. I can't believe I went that fast and the distance was spot on (1.19 according to my Garmin).

I had a very good start and I was able to draft out of fasters swimmers for most of the swim. The only negative point was that I got cramps on my injured right calf towards the end of the swim.
What would you do differently?:

Not much. For once, I think I executed a leg pretty well. I wish I didn't get cramps at the end, but not sure what can I do to avoid it?
Transition 1
  • 03m 42s
Comments:

Overall: 109/423
AG: 10/31

Terrible transition. My helmet strap was buckled and not attached to the right strap. I had to fix it and I probably lost 30-45 seconds. I thought about going without fastening my helmet, but I opt in for safety over speed (thank god I did it, I crashed on the bike 1 mile into it...)
What would you do differently?:

I think my helmet issue was manufactured by another athlete who got mad because I couldn't get the spot he wanted in transition. I don't think is coincidence that that happened to me and that the guys next to me (right and left) also complained about weird stuff happening to them with their transition gear (one had one of his bike shoes off the pedal?!?! and the other one had the race number detached from their race belt)

Anyways, next time I will make sure that everything is ready to go rather than assuming it.
Bike
  • 2h 41m 6s
  • 56 miles
  • 20.86 mile/hr
Comments:

Really happy with the bike. I went a little too hard since I thought that I would not be running to not aggravate my right calf (I ended up running though).

The first 40 miles were great, but I suffered I a little bit the last 16 miles, which were the hilliest too. I think I went too hard on the uphills and I depleted myself. I am not used to hills anymore, but I definitively need to control myself going uphill to avoid going into my zone 4-5.
What would you do differently?:

Pace better through the course and going easier on the uphills.
Transition 2
  • 02m 22s
Comments:

Overall: 82/423
AG: 6/31

I wasn't planning on running, so I took it easy... However, I can't be happy with my performance, I fell running with my bike! It was embarrassing... I usually fly dismount, but this time I was so focused on the bike that when I realized it was too late for it. And yeah, I am not use to run with my cleats...
What would you do differently?:

Fly dismount, lock laces on my shoes.
Run
  • 1h 58m 49s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 09m 04s  min/mile
Comments:

Terrible run!!!! Well, I need to put this in perspective. Yes, it was my worst run ever in a HIM and I really suffered. However, I didn't run for the 10-12 days preceding the race as I injured my calf and I wasn't planning on running, just swim and bike.

I started the run and I calf felt ok, so I decided to run a little bit. After 3 miles, my legs were done due to the hard bike and lack of running mileage the 2 weeks prior to the race. I decided to power it through and that I will only quit if my clad hurt. My calf didn't bothered me (it was tight, but not painful), so I run a little slower and I was able to finish the race.
What would you do differently?:

Don't overdo the bike (I did it because I thought I would not run) and have better run fitness (I couldn't prepare well due to a calf injury).

Also, I think my pacing strategy wasn't the best. I didn't have my HR monitor, so I went out too fast and I paid after the first few miles.
Post race
Warm down:

Lay down, massage, drink, and eat! Also, hanging out with the family. I did this race because my parents were in the US visiting.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Definitively, my calf. I couldn't train properly the last 2 weeks before the race and it wasn't 100% on race day. I didn't even know whether I would be able to run, or not, until I started the run.

Also, terrible T1 and T2.

Event comments:

My only complain is that there was only 1 aid station during the bike course. I run out of liquid and I had to wait until mile 40ish to get some... Other than that, fantastic race, well organized, amazing course design, and great people.




Last updated: 2014-01-13 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:31:42 | 2112 yards | 01m 30s / 100yards
Age Group: 7/31
Overall: 73/423
Performance: Good
Suit: Xterra Pro
Course: 1 lap lake swim. Out and back with a left turn at the middle
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 71F / 22C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Good
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 03:42
Performance: Bad
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
02:41:06 | 56 miles | 20.86 mile/hr
Age Group: 5/31
Overall: 25/423
Performance: Good
Wind: Some
Course: Out and back hilly terrain. Traffic was blocked in intersections, but we rode quite a few miles on the shoulder of a very busy road/highway (not fun).
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Average Hills: Bad
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:22
Overall: Bad
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Bad
Running with bike Bad
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
01:58:49 | 13.1 miles | 09m 04s  min/mile
Age Group: 5/31
Overall: 51/423
Performance: Below average
Course: 2 or 2 1/2 run course, flat, rounding the lake we swam in the morning.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 2
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? No
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4