Tri the Wildwoods - TriathlonSprint

They didn't announce the direction you were swimming (north or south) until 5 minutes before the race. That didn't bother me, but it would have been nice if they had explained the bouys...umm...i mean flags. They had three flags. Swim out to the first one and turn right. Pass the
second one and then a right at the third one back to the beach. They prob could have used another flag or two.

Waves were not as bad as the 2005 Cape Henlopen tri, but the course had you going further out in the ocean, thus IMO making it a tougher course... you had to contend with waves in your face for the first 100+ meters. Overall the conditions didn't bother me...I just plugged along at a comfortable pace...no drafting and due to the waves, i had my head up...a lot.

Removed cap, goggles and wetsuit at waters edge. Swim time includes a cpl hundred yard beach run up to transition.

Do more some ocean swims.

I was going to try and leave my shoes on the bike, but I forgot the rubber bands.

Rank: 39/436 (the highlight of my race:))
HR: 168

Remember rubber bands.

Ugh. Where to start? After the tough swim conditions and long beach run to T1, I was eager to get on the bike and crush it. Was hoping to avg 22-23mph. I felt pretty good early on...I passed 8 or 10ppl and was only passed by one or two. Not too bad for starting in wave 2. I get to the long straight away heading south preparing for the turn-around at approx mile 4. Unfortunately for me I was so focused on my line through the turn-around that I overlooked the wet pavement. Although the rest of the course was dry, the sprinklers for the island in the middle of the street were on earlier than morning and wetted down the intersection.

I'm half way through the turn-around and bam...both wheels give out and I hit the ground hard. I lose over half of my gu2o. I shake it off, gather myself and get back on my bike w/ some pain and a decent amount of blood. As I am getting on my bike, another guy drops his. As I get going again, I couldn't seem to generate any power...I still had my HR up in the 170s but my speed how now dropped from low-mid 20s to high teens. What I failed to check was my front brake. At approx mile 9 I open the front brake and my speed picks up a bit. I make a note to self to check the brake after the race. I do, and after closing the brake, my tire would only spin a cpl inches. That would explain why I couldn't get started after the wreck.

Such a disappointing ride.

This is easy....(1) not wreck and (2) if you do wreck and somethings seems wrong afterwards, don't be a meathead and push harder, relax and think! (HR is still up but speed is down...something must be wrong) (3) always pre-ride the course...even if just in a car.

Nothing exciting. Kinda slow b/c I didn't run that hard. I was in some pain and my goal was to finish...all time goals were way out the window w/ the slow ride.

HR: 169

hustle

I understand the RD can not control the tide, but please get the mile markers correct. Ever hear of GPS?

Enough venting. The high tide caused what was suppose to be a packed-sand run into a ocean/soft sand run. I decided to carry my shoes after mile 1 after my sneakers were soaked and feet hurting from the sand inside. I felt much better after removing my sneakers and my pace picked up slightly, but it still was slow.

Evaluate conditions of a beach run on race day

Visit the EMS ambulance.


Crash, front brake, lack of training.


The following was sent by the RD to participants after the race:

"Due to the "unusual high tide," the timing mats getting wet, and the timing van sinking in the ocean, some of the results are not quite right....All in all, besides the horrible water conditions, the high-tide-soft-sand run, the sprinkler system wetting down the bike course, the PA system not working inside the tent, the results not getting posted and having to mail out the awards"

I'd hate to pay for this race next year, but its personal now...I'll prob do the race again, and next time it's payback time!!!