St. Patrick's Day Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint


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Keller, Texas
United States
Dallas Athletes
58F / 14C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 19m 58s
Overall Rank = 233/462
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 30/40
Pre-race routine:

Rise and shine! 4:30 came awfully early. I didn't have a restful night's sleep. I was too excited. This was my first triathlon. Breakfast was two whole grain waffles with peanut butter and jelly. tri_kitty and I packed up and hit the road.
Event warmup:

Most of my warmup was spent wandering around and taking in the sights and sounds. I got set up in the transition area. Got body marked. Checked out the pool. I eventually got around to some dynamic warmups and light jogging. I needed to check my right calf and left achilles. Both have been giving me trouble. The achilles pain was tolerable. The calf pain was gone. YES! I eventually got into race gear and moved inside the natatorium for some light pool warmups.
Swim
  • 05m 41s
  • 300 meters
  • 01m 53s / 100 meters
Comments:

I totally sucked today. The size of the pool got into my head. And once I got winded, my form went to pot. Still, only one person passed me so I must have decently seeded myself. I did pass the guy in front of me.
What would you do differently?:

I was the mental equivalent of a bowl of jelly. Once I got winded, the negative thoughts flew in. I need to work on my mental conditioning prior to the next pool swim. If 50 meter lanes can get to me, what will happen in an open swim? I want to swim at least once in a 50 meter pool prior to the next race. Also, I need to do some mental exercises to help me keep my rythym and form.
Transition 1
  • 02m 18s
Comments:

Much quicker and easier than I thought. I took my time, dried my feet, put on my socks and shoes and shirt and helmet. I stuffed some gel into my shorts, grabbed my glasses and headed to bike out.
What would you do differently?:

For now, nothing.
Bike
  • 42m 36s
  • 12 miles
  • 16.90 mile/hr
Comments:

I did much better than I expected on this. I went hard, attacked the hills, passed a few people and got passed by the elite. It was great. Except that my back tightened up. This has been a reoccurring problem due to, I think, an improper fitting. Other than that, I know I can go faster.
What would you do differently?:

Attack harder. Work my gears better. Work on my pedal technique.I need to hydrate better on this leg. I only drank half my water bottle. And I needed the electrolytes for the next leg.
Transition 2
  • 01m 55s
Comments:

Same as before. Fast and easy. I dismounted in my shoes and jogged to my bike rack. Changing shoes was fast and easy. No issues.
What would you do differently?:

For now, nothing.
Run
  • 27m 29s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 08m 50s  min/mile
Comments:

I started off fine. I didn't have the expected "brick" legs from riding so hard. I started off at what I thought was a gentle pace to get my running legs. About five minutes in, my calf completed seized up and caused me to stop running. On a scale of one to ten, this was about an eight. It hurt like a big dog. Stretching did no good. Cursing, I continued on with a limp walk. Then evolved into a limp run, which evolved into a run. I was surprised by my time and disappointed as well. I know I could have run much faster if not for the calf issue.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. I need to finish a run pain free first.
Post race
Warm down:

This involved mostly limping, cursing, and stretching.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Mental issues in the pool. My right calf seizing up on the run.

Event comments:

I can't say enough good things about this race. This was a perfect first triathlon experience for me and my girlfriend. We both had a great time, were impressed by the level of assistance, the course, everything. I really loved the leprechaun pope. He made a great emcee. I recommend the race and course to newbies, beginners, and even experts looking for a speed workout.




Last updated: 2008-02-08 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:05:41 | 300 meters | 01m 53s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/40
Overall: 0/462
Performance: Below average
Suit: Tri Shorts
Course: Serpintine swim in the Keller natatorium. I train in a 25 meter pool at Life Time. This was my first time in a 50 meter pool. One end of the lanes dropped to 12.5 feet to accommodate diving competitions. I was unnerved to see the already deep lanes drop out from under me.
Start type: Inside Pool Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Below average Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 02:18
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
00:42:36 | 12 miles | 16.90 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/40
Overall: 0/462
Performance: Good
Wind: Some with gusts
Course: Bike Course is a two loop course that is 12 miles long. A few hills but still a fast course. Police and volunteers at all intersections.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 01:55
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:27:29 | 03.11 miles | 08m 50s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/40
Overall: 0/462
Performance: Average
Course: An out and back course on a wooded trail.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5