Swim
Comments: This was an awful swim for me. First I was in the second wave, which gave a huge advantage because we all saw that the first wave had drifted at least 40 yards off course by the current so when we all saw that we moved 50 yards down the shore. I felt so bad for the gang in the first wave, it was a real disadvantage for them. I strated out front (it was a small goup) and got past the breakers first (I grew up at he Jersey shore)but then I simply could not get a single freestyle stroke in, the water was so cold I couldn’t put my face in it and there was just a little bit of chop to make it hard to breath. (I'm very used to open ocean swimming but the water was just shockingly cold) I ended up backstroke, side stroke and breasting it all the way. The current was awful and the swells were just screwing me up terribly - pulling and pushing. (As I passed the lifeguard boat I asked them to check to see if someone strapped a sea-anchor to my back. We laughed and I kept on trucking) Overall it was a terrible swim and I know that many people had similar problems. I was passed by about 7 people and actually passed one. But I never took a rest (I saw many resting and a few had to be assisted). What would you do differently?: I need to get in the water more, I need more time swimming with a wetsuit. I hate wetsuits and really cold water. Transition 1
Comments: I really need to practice this. We had to run from the beach aout 75 yards to T1 and I was beat from the swim and a little dazed to be truthful. I kept drying my feeet first! like 3 times, then they'd get wet again because the rest of me was soaked.... I must have dry feet with socks, otherwise I'm miserable. What would you do differently?: Just need to practice more, put race number and HR monitor under wetsuit and dry off faster. I used bodyglide but the wetsuit still got stuck on my feet and timing chip. Bike
Comments: The bike course was not that great – 4 loops for sprint and 8 for the oly so it got pretty crowed the last two laps. Plus there were several areas where you (me at least) simply could not safely pass due to turns and it being too narrow. There is no doubt I could have gone much faster were it not but for the turns and my lack of experience. (I’ve never raced before and never ridden with other riders so it was all very new to me.) I passed at least 50 people and was passed by less than 10. I felt very good and comfortable on the bike and was able to maintain 23-25mph on the straight-aways, which were short but I coul dhave kept it up. Note the road was ok for the most part but there were some rough areas and standing water and the lanes were narrow. What would you do differently?: Be more aggressive. I could have passed more but held off as I was getting the feel for racing. Seeing as how I ranked 20 out of the group, I'm sure more aggressive riding would have gotten me a few more places up. Transition 2
Comments: This went well. I've practiced bike/run bricks a great deal. Though my feet were a little numb and my my legs were a little rubbery - I got thru it ok. What would you do differently?: Nothing, except speed up a bit. It went well and was comfortable. Maybe spin a bit more on the last lap so my legs get a little better. Run
Comments: I set a personal best on the run for a 5k (my wife timed me so it’s the only segment time that I have). I was hurting by the time I hit the 1.5 mile mark (3 mile run) with a side stitch but I pushed myself to keep going, focused on breathing and got over it without stping and then I actually sprinted to the end to beat out 3 people in the last ¼ mile. I literally gave it all that I had in me and it felt good to know that there wasn’t anything left at the end. What would you do differently?: Just get my speed up. But at this point in my traning it was perfect for me and my knee felt great afterwars too! Post race
Warm down: None - unless drinking beer and vodka counts....mmmmmm beer. What limited your ability to perform faster: I need to drink water/gatoraide. I didn't drink anything the whole time. Next time I need to drink on the bike so I'm hydrated for the run. Also overall as a note I never stopped – I swam 100%, I never stopped pedaling on the bike (except for turns of course) and I never stopped running. This was important for me to not have to rest at a buoy, coast or walk – I pushed with all I had ….now to just a little get faster for the next one. Event comments: It was a great time. wife had fun and the people were great, everyone cheering for one another felt very good. I will do Metroman again next year for sure. Last updated: 2007-03-07 12:00 AM
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United States
Sunset Racing, LLC
55F / 13C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 38/112
Age Group = M 35-39
Age Group Rank = 9/19
Had pasta for dinner and some bread. Woke up at 5:30am or so and had Kshi cereal for breakfast then left around 6:30.
None - I never warm up for anything. Unless meandering around and yapping to the wife counts. Basically set up my transition area (which I should have worked on a little better) at the back where I had a good lane in and out for the bike / run transitions.