Black Bear Triathlon - TriathlonSprint


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Lehighton, Pennsylvania
United States
CGI Racing
Total Time = 2h 18m 39s
Overall Rank = 228/276
Age Group = M45-49
Age Group Rank = 22/25
Pre-race routine:

Got up at 4:30 to make the drive from home to the race course. Had a very light breakfast of a scone and iced coffee. Set up my gear, ran to the portapotty, went back to gear to double check my set-up. Realized I had the bike on the wrong rack, and re-set up. Had a couple of sharkie gels.
Event warmup:

None to speak of.
Swim
  • 16m
  • 750 yards
  • 02m 08s / 100 yards
Comments:

Started off with best swim ever. I kept up with the wave (which I never used to be able to do when I raced 10 years ago), breathing easy, around the first two bouys. Then I lost the course a little, heading too far to the right. I couldn't figure out the course, then I made the mistake of trying to swim hard to get back into the group. Got overwhelmed and had to backstroke to catch my breath.
What would you do differently?:

Stay calm, even if I swim off course. Don't speed to catch up, just keep the rhythym going. Don't panic in the waves. Consider wearing a watch to keep track of my pace for the swim and T1.
Transition 1
  • 08m 35s
Comments:

Estimated time based on guesstimate of swim and official swim+T1 time. Still recovering from stress in last part of swim, so I walked the transition (plus it was quite the long haul!). But at the bike, everything went smoothly. Glad I had the Cliff shots package open and ready to eat while gearing up.
What would you do differently?:

Try to run at least some of the transition
Bike
  • 1h 13m 25s
  • 17.51 miles
  • 14.31 mile/hr
Comments:

Slow on the climbs (nothing new there), but nice speed on the downs. Several hills hit 30-35 mph, with a peak speed of 41.7 mph. Overall felt pleased about the performance, especially since the seat still felt a little low.
What would you do differently?:

Some more time training the new bike to get the fit dialed in better. It wouold have been nice to run the course ahead of time, but I don't think it would really have changed anything. Maybe ride more hills?
Transition 2
  • 01m 42s
Comments:

Fast transition. Felt good. Sucked down some stinger gel and a gulp of water.
What would you do differently?:

Throw some socks on - I paid for running sockless on the run, and the time lost putting on socks would have been made up for by the run itself
Run
  • 39m 38s
  • 3.49 miles
  • 11m 22s  min/mile
Comments:

After faily strong swim and bike, blew it on the run. Going sockless proved a mistake. Got 3 blisters, and ended up having to walk the hills because of discomfort and elevated HR. Overall the run was no hillier than my training runs, so there was no good reason to turn out a poor performance. OTOH, I only would have advanced one place in my age-group, so I shouldn't be too upset.
What would you do differently?:

Put on socks!
Post race
Warm down:

Nothing to speak of. Walked around a little, drank some water.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Panicking in the water because I tried to rush back to the main grouping. I should have stayed calm since the first 2/3 went so well. Not enough time in the saddle with the new bike to get the fit perfected. Going sockless on the run. I won;t be doing THAT again!

Event comments:

There were a lot of volunteers on this course, directing traffic and hydrating athletes on the run. As advertised, the bike was hilly, but hey, it IS coal country! Maybe if I bring the bike up to practice the course when I am up that way for a day of kayaking or climbing, I can make a long day of it, and do even better for next year!




Last updated: 2008-04-06 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:16:00 | 750 yards | 02m 08s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/25
Overall: 314/276
Performance: Average
Estimated swim time, based on what Mrs. Gearboy called out to me, since I decided not to wear a watch in the swim, and the results on the website combines swim and T1.
Suit:
Course:
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding:
T1
Time: 08:35
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
01:13:25 | 17.51 miles | 14.31 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/25
Overall: 298/276
Performance: Good
Avg HR 162; max 175
Wind:
Course: Very hilly! But well marked, well staffed. Felt very safe.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 01:42
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:39:38 | 03.49 miles | 11m 22s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/25
Overall: 394/276
Performance: Below average
Avg HR 161; max 172
Course: Trail run, very scenic. A couple of small hills, typical for PA.
Keeping cool Average Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
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: Average
Race evaluation [1-5]