5430 Long Course Triathlon - TriathlonLong Course


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Boulder, Colorado
United States
5430 Sports Corp.
HOTF / 0C
Sunny
Total Time = 6h 29m 38s
Overall Rank = 688/884
Age Group = F30-34
Age Group Rank = 35/57
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 3:00, fixed my bagel and tea, packed my bottles, grabbed a banana, and hopped in the car. Ate while Ocky drove up to Boulder. Met up with the rep from Blue Bikes at a pull-off along highway 93 to get my new tri uniform! Good thing there weren't any cops around--it would have looked awfully suspicious!

Got to the res nice and early, along with most everyone else. Got bodymarked, then found Stacie in transition, and got a spot on the same rack. Set my stuff up, hit the potty, and hung out with Ocky and Stacie on a hill, watching everyone get bodymarked and checking out the equipment (the bikes, you sickos!).
Event warmup:

Well, transition closed at 6:20, and my wave didn't start until 7:05, so I spent some time sitting on the beach with Ocky, Stacie, and other BTers. About 15 minutes before our start, I pulled on the wetsuit and hopped in the water for a quick warm-up.
Swim
  • 38m 3s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 48s / 100 yards
Comments:

Right from the start and for probably a good 200m, we were all really boxed in, with lots of contact. Stacie and I had started right next to each other, I kept hoping I wasn't beating up on her. Turns out she was thinking the same thing, so we decided we were even.

Since the first length of the swim was straight into the sun, I couldn't sight very much, and decided to really just follow the people ahead of me. With being the last wave, there were a LOT of people ahead of me! By the time we hit the first turn bouy, I had started to catch people from the wave ahead of me. By the time I finished, I had caught peopel from 5 waves ahead.

For some reason I had a really hard time drafting on this swim. Not really sure why, given the tight start. But, this is my fastest-paced swim time ever in a race, and this time includes a 1:00 run up the beach. When I stood up, my watch read 36:50.
What would you do differently?:

Try a little harder to find a good draft.
Transition 1
  • 02m 15s
Comments:

Nothing terribly eventful here. I forgot to bring my small towel for drying my feet, and had to use the edge of my mat towel, so that slowed me a little. I actually thought I was slower than this, so I'm pretty happy with it.
What would you do differently?:

Remember my small towel.
Bike
  • 3h 03m 57s
  • 56 miles
  • 18.27 mile/hr
Comments:

Since it was going to be super hot on the run, I knew there was no chance of a good run for me today. I decided to push the bike a little bit more, rather then taking it easy to have a good run, and it paid off. This is my fastest-paced bike segement in a race, ever!

I took it pretty easy on the gentle inclines and more significant climbs that stretch until the turn on St. Vrain. Then, pushed it a bit on the descent and flats. Tried to keep a nice steady pace on the Diagnol (a stretch of road I loathe), and to the turn around in front of the Res. Saw Cathy during the out & back section on 51st, and she was looking strong. Second lap I pushed a little more, and managed to negative split the second lap by about 7 minutes!

One of the few major downhills on the course is just as you turn onto St. Vrain. I am coming up to the turn, and there is a couple out for their Sunday ride. I just figure I will pass them. Well, they decided to ride side-by-side on the downhill, even after I yelled "ON YOUR LEFT PLEASE!!" I couldn't pass them without crossing the center line. I realize this is an open course, and they had every right to be riding out there, but come on! There is a race going on, and you are on the course!! Don't block the racers!! OK, rant over.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Transition 2
  • 02m 9s
Comments:

Pretty uneventful. The bike next to mine on the rack had its front wheel turned, so it was blocking my access to the rack. I had to adjust that bike to get mine in, which cost maybe a handful of seconds. Otherwise, not sure what took me so long!
What would you do differently?:

Practice transitions. I have practiced at all this year.
Run
  • 2h 43m 12s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 28s  min/mile
Comments:

And here, the wheels fell off. I knew this run would suck for me, but I didn't think it would be quite this bad. Heat and I do not agree, and the heat usually wins, with me ending up dizzy and sometimes passed out and convulsing. I decided to be very conservative, since the temps were supposed to be near 100.

I was hoping for something in the 10 minute range, and started off OK, but quickly started to have GI issues. As has become usual, I thought I was going to puke for probably the first 2-3 miles, and just wished it would come so I could start feeling better. No dice. Then I started to get a cramping feeling in my lower gut. Thought a trip to the porta potty would help. Now, if I could just find a porta potty...I thought there was supposed to be potties at each aid station. Uh-uh. There were 2 on each loop. Finally made it to one, and nothing helpful happened. Darn it!

Starting with the first aid station, I grabbed ice when offered and dumped it in my bra--it is the first advantage women have I have found in this sport! The ice made a fun jingling sound bouncing off of my hrm strap when I ran. I drank as much water as I could, and dumped the rest on my head. I alternated taking endurolytes and gu at the aid stations.

On the second lap, I decided to try another pit stop, with no success. But, when I came out, there was Cathy!

So I starting running with her, and that made the rest of the run so much better! She helped me push a bit of a faster pace than I would have on my own. Thank you, Cathy! After the last aid station, we picked up the pace just a bit. Walked the last hill, then a strong pace to the finish. We got to cross the finish line together, which was great!
What would you do differently?:

Really couldn't say. I need to figure out what is causing the GI issues. I stayed clear of the gatorade, since every sports drink I have tried to run with has not had positive results. I don't know what else I could do??
Post race
Warm down:

Found Ocky and Stacie, and sat down in the shade for a bit. Then grabbed some food, and sat back down to force myself to eat. Chatted with a bunch of BTers, then headed home.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

The heat & GI issues. And that track workout I did on Tuesday--20x400s at 1:55 pace (crazy fast for me). This was not an "A" race for me, and coach and I treated it that way.

Event comments:

Even with the dismal run, I had a great swim, a great bike, and I took 40 minutes off my previous HIM PR, so I am very happy with my over all performance.

5430 Sports always puts on a nice race. Very, very well organized. They did a great job of keeping the aid stations stocked with water and ice on a very hot day, although some were out of sponges on the second lap. I would only change 2 things: 1) more potties on the run; and 2) something else for the finisher's souveniers--um, thanks for the pint glass?!




Last updated: 2007-05-15 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:38:03 | 2112 yards | 01m 48s / 100yards
Age Group: 21/57
Overall: 418/884
Performance: Good
Suit: Blue-seventy full
Course: Counter-clockwise rectangle
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:15
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
03:03:57 | 56 miles | 18.27 mile/hr
Age Group: 28/57
Overall: 689/884
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course: 2 loop course north of the Boulder Res.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Below average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:09
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Average
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:43:12 | 13.1 miles | 12m 28s  min/mile
Age Group: 44/57
Overall: 715/884
Performance: Below average
Course: 2 loops on mostly dirt & gravel roads and paths around the Res.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4