The Nation's Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Washington, Washington, D.C.
United States
TNT productions
95F / 35C
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 23m 31s
Overall Rank = 1687/2388
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 138/178
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 4:30AM knowing that parking would be an issue. Had a 1/2 bagel, bananna and drank a bottle of gatoraid. I got there about 5:45 AM to get chip and body marking.
Event warmup:

Stretching and just hanging out until it was time to swim
Swim
  • 37m 8s
  • 1500 meters
  • 02m 28s / 100 meters
Comments:

Quite frankly, it will be the last time I swim in the Potomac - it was nasty near the entrance. I really felt good out there despite my time. I was with the pack past the bridge and back down. I got somewhat turned when I couldn't see the next buoy because of the sun. I had to swim back to it.
What would you do differently?:

Wear sunglasses.
Transition 1
  • 03m 21s
Comments:

Everything was going fine except for struggling with the wetsuit
What would you do differently?:

Nothing much
Bike
  • 1h 26m 42s
  • 24.85 miles
  • 17.20 mile/hr
Comments:

It was freaking out hot there and I went through both water bottles easily. I was tempted to stop and pick up the ones that people dropped. Around mile 10, there was a dead deer on the road that reeked and almost made everyone puke as you passed by. Of course, we had to go by it on the way back. Chain fell off at mile 12 and had to stop to put it on. I was beginning to wonder if Murphy's Lsw was engaged.
What would you do differently?:

Stop and pick up those water bottles.
Transition 2
  • 02m 4s
Comments:

While it seems like a long time with 2400 other participantsm, it is a long way to your bike.
What would you do differently?:

nothing - maybe have an extra water bottle in the transition area.
Run
  • 1h 14m 18s
  • 10 kms
  • 07m 26s  min/km
Comments:

My worst time ever for a 10k but with a heat index of 105 - I'm glad I finished. No water near transtition area so it was mile 1 before I could drink. Fortunately, there was water at every mile but it was brutal by the time I got to the run course. I tried to keep a consistent pace however I felt heat exhaustion coming on around mile 3 to 4 so I slowed it down to a walk until my heart rate subsided. Hats off to the volunteers who were there handing out the water otherwise it would have been a disaster.
Post race
Warm down:

Met Susan and many of my friends at the finish line. Stretched, drank more fluid and had a slice of pizza.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Heat and humidity.

Event comments:

This race is totally different from last year and has gotten more commericalized and cheap. I understand that it is for charity but when you cross the line they hand you a cup of water that is masquarding as a little bottle at the finish - it is absurb. They then usher out of the finish where you have Jet Blue wanting you to sign up for something but what peeved me the most was the shuttle bus. Last year it was a mess and while they provided more shuttles this year they only allowed athletes to ride. So family members who came down on the metro had to walk 2 miles back to the transition area. Susan and I walked back but watching the families who had to push their strollers back in the 95 degree heat was frustrating -this was shortsighted by the event organizers. Nations was my first OLY last year and it was a great experience - it got me hooked but it will not be on my schedule next year.




Last updated: 2008-01-04 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:37:08 | 1500 meters | 02m 28s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/178
Overall: 0/2388
Performance: Average
Suit: Yes
Course: Swim up to and under the Memorial Bridge through the 2nd arch and back down from the 4th arch.
Start type: Deep Water Plus:
Water temp: 74F / 23C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 03:21
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:26:42 | 24.85 miles | 17.20 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/178
Overall: 0/2388
Performance: Average
Wind: Little
Course: Ride through Washington and up the Clara Barton PKWY and Rock Creek.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 02:04
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
01:14:18 | 10 kms | 07m 26s  min/km
Age Group: 0/178
Overall: 0/2388
Performance: Bad
Heart rate was at 90% of maximum.
Course: Run around Haines point and through Washington and down Pennsylvania Ave for the finish
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race? No
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Below average
Race evaluation [1-5] 1