Nautica Malibu Triathlon - Classic Distance - TriathlonSprint


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Malibu, California
United States
Michael Epstein Sports Productions
75F / 24C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 43m 19s
Overall Rank = 128/1663
Age Group = M 55-59
Age Group Rank = 5/70
Pre-race routine:

Diagnosed with compression fracture in thoracic spine on June 30...orthopedist advised no vigorous exercise for 10 weeks. (And had to go through a bunch of tests to rule out metastatic bone cancer.) Had to skip USAT Age Group Nationals, but was determined to race Malibu. Ended up with no swimming or running for 7 1/2 weeks, no cycling other than a couple hours a week on the stationary bike at the gym. Got in 3 1/2 weeks of training after getting clearance from the doctor.
Event warmup:

Not much...other than having swum a 1500m relay leg at the Olympic distance race on Saturday.
Swim
  • 15m 54s
  • 880 yards
  • 01m 49s / 100 yards
Comments:

Lost a little speed this year (haven't trained the swim as much as the bike) and took 7 1/2 weeks off in July/August with spine fracture. Pretty happy with swim...hoping for about 15 minutes.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Transition 1
  • 02m 57s
Comments:

Right cuff of suit caught on heel.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing much...haven't had a problem getting out of this suit before, but it just hung up.
Bike
  • 53m 10s
  • 18 miles
  • 20.31 mile/hr
Comments:

Lost less fitness on bike during injury layoff than I did from the swim and run. Basically rode same avg speed as last year, even with added climb due to amended course.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Transition 2
  • 01m 38s
Comments:

No issues.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Run
  • 29m 37s
  • 4 miles
  • 07m 24s  min/mile
Comments:

Knew that I'd lost about 15 secs per mile due to injury layoff and that was pretty much how the run played out. Very hot (around 80F).
What would you do differently?:

Nothing...just didn't have the top end speed back yet after only 2 solid weeks for run training post injury.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked around. Ate light brunch.

After 8 years of racing at Malibu, got my first AG podium finish. Chalk it up to five-deep medals and moving up to 55-59 age group, but after the huge obstacle of the thoracic spine fracture--and the stress of going through tests for cancer--to get back to both the podium and qualifying for AG Nationals feels amazing.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

8 weeks of training lost to spine injury.

Event comments:

This was my first tri in 2007 and my wife and I have raced it every year since. One of the biggest and best run sprints in the U.S.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2015-03-02 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:15:54 | 880 yards | 01m 49s / 100yards
Age Group: 8/70
Overall: 199/1663
Performance: Average
191 of 1645 age group & celebrity finishers (excl. pro & challenged). Garmin fenix 2 had the swim section (excl run-in, run-out) as 14:38 for 976 yds (1:30/100 yds)
Suit: Vortex 4 Full
Course: 150m out from beach, 500m parallel to beach, 150m in to beach.
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 70F / 21C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Good
Waves: Good Navigation: Average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:57
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Below average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
00:53:10 | 18 miles | 20.31 mile/hr
Age Group: 9/70
Overall: 252/1663
Performance: Good
244 of 1645 age group & celebrity finishers (excl. pro & challenged)
Wind: None
Course: Out and back on Pacific Coast Highway. Course rerouted due to construction at the usual turnaround point...added a mile at the turnaround, but the course was shortened at the back end.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:38
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:29:37 | 04 miles | 07m 24s  min/mile
Age Group: 3/70
Overall: 113/1663
Performance: Average
103 of 1645 age group & celebrity finishers (excl. pro & challenged). Garmin fenix 2 had run as 29:37 for 4.06 mi. (7:17/mi).
Course: Flat out and back along Zuma and Westward Beaches.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
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