Mountain Lakes Triathlon - TriathlonSprint


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Guntersville, Alabama
United States
Team Magic
82F / 28C
Overcast
Total Time = 1h 22m 55s
Overall Rank = 270/798
Age Group = 25-29
Age Group Rank = 18/28
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 5:30 had some fruit and a peanut butter bagel. Loaded the bike and car and headed to race site. Spent some time in transition looking at my stuff. I felt like something was off...had that feeling that I was forgetting something. I was not mentally sharp...something was off. I ate at clif bar around 7 and a gel at 8. Drank a 32 oz powerade
Event warmup:

Race began at 7:30. I expected to get in the water aroun 8:30. I watched the first 20-30 people hit the water before stretching. Again, I was lacking the mental focus to prepare for the race. I was a bit concerned about my hamstrings and tried to work them out. About 10 minutes before my swim start I realized I had not even streched my calves. I swear I left my head at the hotel that morning!
Swim
  • 11m 28s
  • 600 yards
  • 01m 55s / 100 yards
Comments:

Hmmm....where to begin. As mentioned I was not mentally ready. Furthermore they were moving quicker than expected so I literally jumped in line about 2 minutes prior to my start. The swim was hideous. I am not sure the water was deeper than 5 feet at any point. You ran into the water...and could have waded for the first 100 yards. Some people were trying to dolphin, others were running.

I chose to run the first 25m then try to swim. Well as I pulled through the stroke my hand was grazing the bottom of the lake. Then one of my goggles filled up with water. That will mess with you mentally. Instantly my stroke was off as was my breathing. I still pulled it together but as you rounded the buoys you could still feel the weeds below you. They were in your hands, feet and face. I stood up with about 50 meters to go and just started running...in fact I passed someone.
What would you do differently?:

Get myself mentally prepared better. Swim in cleaner water.
Transition 1
  • 01m 59s
Comments:

I wasn't happy coming out of the water. Heart rate was down for the most part. You had to run about 30m up a small hill and then down a sidewalk to get to the transition area. I found the sidewalk clogged with walkers and tough to navigate that stretch. I found my bike without a problem...got my helmet and shoes on. Then I again had that moment of am I forgetting something? I took off with the bike, made the u-turn to the dismount line and then was about to get on the bike when the guy behind me ran into me. I saddled up and was off
What would you do differently?:

Sprint out of the water. Get on the bike quicker. I thought T1 would have been faster.
Bike
  • 45m 12s
  • 16.2 miles
  • 21.50 mile/hr
Comments:

I had driven and ridden some of the course the day before. I knew it was mostly flat....with some unsuspecting inclines. I rode with some cytomax in my aero bottle but the local water was nasty so it tasted funny. I was only passed once on the bike and that was in the beginning. The road course was not too crowded and I never felt any pressure to pick up the pace...as it seemed that I was racing against myself. I still tried to push it but I knew I could go faster. My hamstrings were a bit tight but never in too much pain. I did manage to go through the entire bottle on the ride. I likely passed 100 people out there.
What would you do differently?:

Pick up the pace. This is the only problem with the starts by age group then swim time. Other than the one guy who flew past me on a QR Tequilo with a disc wheel...no one was in my rearview mirror. It was a good ride...just could have pushed it a bit more.
Transition 2
  • 01m 4s
Comments:

I did manage to slow up as I approach the dismount line and got my feet loose and out by the time I hit the line. It wasn't the most graceful thing I have done but I did run barefoot. Running shoes were on quickly and I was off.
What would you do differently?:

wasn't bad...still need to get quicker
Run
  • 23m 10s
  • 3 miles
  • 07m 43s  min/mile
Comments:

Good overall run. I wanted to run comfortable for the first mile. Pick it up at the turn around and hit the last mile hard. My only complaint was that the running path was small and you had two way traffic. Path was about 6 feet wide. Made it difficult to navigate the path. Plenty of volunteers and water stations. I was passed by 2 people. One in my age group and one younger.
What would you do differently?:

Not much. I would still like to lower my splits to sub 7.30.
Post race
Warm down:

I was out of it today. I cruised it feeling fine. My hamstrings were in a bit of pain. I grabbed a water and a red bull at the finish line. Why the hell was I drinking a red bull? I met up with my parents and walked around the course. I also showed them a Cervelo P2C and a QR Caliente. They didn't buy either for me.

I hung back for about an hour. Had a banana, orange and some more water. I did check out a demonstration on the new Computrainer. I wish I had $1500 to drop on something like that.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Fresh legs. My legs are still raw going into races. I felt like I tried to taper but it didn't work. But I am pleased with the race.

Event comments:

Great race for a PR. It is flat, flat, flat. Great facilities and location for a race. I personally didn't like the swim location. I also would suggest trying to alter the run course...it was too crowded. TONS of volunteers (almost too many).




Last updated: 2006-07-25 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:11:28 | 600 yards | 01m 55s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/28
Overall: 320/798
Performance: Below average
Suit: N/A
Course: Rectangular with buoys on your left...except the last buoy which was on your right. They were making announcements but it was still confusing especially because all the documents said all buoys were on your left. A couple of people were DQ'd for missing it and several had to turn around.
Start type: Run Plus:
Water temp: 80F / 27C Current: Low
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Below average Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 01:59
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
00:45:12 | 16.2 miles | 21.50 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/28
Overall: 314/798
Performance: Good
Wind: Some with gusts
Course: All right hand turns through neighborhoods, rural highway then bridge over the lake. Very flat...3 small climbs. No real downhills
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:04
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Below average
Jumping off bike Bad
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:23:10 | 03 miles | 07m 43s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/28
Overall: 275/798
Performance: Good
Course: Flat course on a local trail adjacent to the lake.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Below average
Mental exertion [1-5] 1
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Too easy
Organized? Yes
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3