Turtleman Triathlon - TriathlonLong Course


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Shoreview, Minnesota
United States
80F / 27C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 44m 38s
Overall Rank = 463/715
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

After getting a whopping 1.5 hours of sleep due to storms and not being able to sleep Kelly and I made it up to Shoreview in plenty of time to get everything done. Ate a Powerbar and talked to Matchman, Rabkaman and Sal waiting to start the race.
Event warmup:

Rode the bike in from parking so I deemed that good enough. Then did a warm up swim. More to come on the water
Swim
  • 33m 36s
  • 1640 yards
  • 02m 03s / 100 yards
Comments:

They did this swim as a time trial start, which I kind of liked. Here is the bad. The lake was disgusting, filthy, gross and putrid. No wet-suits were allowed because of the water temps, which is cool if you don't have seeweed hanging off your body for the entire swim. It was gross...period. Did a run in from the beach every three seconds. After about 50-75 feet you started slipping in the soft silt as it slowly wound up to your knees. Water was murky brown at best. I was able to find some feet to draft off of for awhile and made good progress on the way out. You had to stay very close though, anymore than 1-2 feet away and you totally lost site of the draftee. Checked my watch at the midpoint and I was doing good, under 15 minutes. Then things got hard. I couldn't see the buoys or much of anything else for that matter. Swimming right into the sun and my gogles kept fogging. I probably swam an extra 100-150 yards zig zagging back anf forth on the way back.
What would you do differently?:

I need to learn how to swim straight and site better. I am averaging 1:35's in the pool after 2,000 yards. No excuse for being over 2:00 minutes.
Transition 1
  • 02m 13s
Comments:

First triathlon where you could ride bike in transition. Can't figure out why I was so slow.
Bike
  • 1h 04m 58s
  • 22.99 miles
  • 21.23 mile/hr
Comments:

I think the course was closer to 21 miles than 23, but I won't complain. I kept my effort farly low here because I was trying to pace for next weeks HIM. Ate 2 shot blocks every 20 minutes and that was difficult. Last 7-8 miles was mostly into the wind and that beat my legs up more than I should have let it. I should have eased off, but at that point I had a pretty good pace going and wanted to keep it up.
What would you do differently?:

Stopped and picked up the gelbot (combination water bottle and gel holder) I saw abandoned on the course.
Transition 2
  • 02m 14s
Comments:

Another transition that should have been faster, whats up with that?
Run
  • 1h 01m 39s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 09m 56s  min/mile
Comments:

This run was tough. First 3 miles went pretty well and was averaging about 9:10 or so. I should have gone out slower. Had a nice shower come through for about 5 minutes and then it was like turning on a furnace. Left knee started to hurt pretty bad at this point also. Basically walked and slow jogged the rest of the way in. This makes me very nervouse for Pigman next week. I HAVE TO start out much slower.
What would you do differently?:

Start out slower
Post race
Warm down:

Was not feeling to good at this point. Was pretty hungry and needed some suger. Drank a few bottles of water and a few Mountain Dews and waited for stomach to settle so I could eat something. Then waited for Kelly to get in.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

The heat and the wind were tough.

Event comments:

I'm having troubles with comparing this race to Heart of the Lakes. I really loved everything about that race. This one just seemed to come up a bit short. Maybe it had more to do with the weather. Although the swim was a complete downer. But it was my first Oly and I guess I have to be happy that I finished under my goal time. Not sure I would do this one again next year.




Last updated: 2007-01-29 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:33:36 | 1640 yards | 02m 03s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/715
Performance: Below average
Suit: No
Course: Out and back with the back being directly into the sun.
Start type: Run Plus:
Water temp: 78F / 26C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Average Navigation: Bad
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:13
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:04:58 | 22.99 miles | 21.23 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/715
Performance: Good
Wind: Strong with gusts
Course: This was a big square course so ypou got to have the wind in your back, face and on the side. Nice fairly flat course.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:14
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
01:01:39 | 06.21 miles | 09m 56s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/715
Performance: Below average
Course: Big square around the lake, although lake was rarely seen. Mostly flat.
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? No
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3