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 Swim
Comments: The swim was OK. The time I wanted to do coming in was 26 minutes, and by my watch I came out of the water at exactly 26:00. So it was ok, but I got pummeled in the water and ended up after the first buoy just floating on my back trying to relax. Once I did I swam OK, it just felt really difficult. I have never swum in a wetsuit, and my neck is sore, I suppose from that. I just didn't feel good in the water at all, but the time was alright. What would you do differently?: Practice in the wetsuit, and probably start out wide so I don't get run over. I swim pretty good so it's probably easier for me to start back a little and pass people instead of people crushing me in the first 200, then me passing them anyway.  Transition 1
Comments: Don't know what this time was as the clock malfunctioned. The total swim time has the T1 included. I didn't have any real trouble getting out of the suit, or getting into my bike shoes. I would think that the time would have been slightly less than 2 minutes because there was a long uphill run from the pond, to the TA, what seemed like 200-300 yds, but I don't know for sure. My spot was about as far away from the T1 entrance as you could get, but that made for a quick change on the bike. What would you do differently?: Nothing.  Bike
Comments: This is my worst area, and I was hoping to do 1:12 on the 24 mile route, so I probably wasn't too far off of my goal, although the beginning of the course had much steeper hills then I anticipated. The second time through I got to where I was only going 9 miles an hour. The good news was once you got to the top of the hills (roughly mile 4, and mile 15 on second loop) the rest was flat to downhill. I think I got passed by everyone on the course. I've improved a good deal with this being my 5th tri ever, but the serious cyclist blow me away. I just need to keep working on it, and if I stick with it maybe upgrade my bike. Pretty successful ride as I didn't kill myself. What would you do differently?: Not much, I think more time in the saddle will help and as soon as soccer and baseball seasons are over for my kids I may have more time to ride, at least more then once a week, and spin classes in between. Transition 2
Comments: Did fine here. I didn't bust my hump to get in and out, as I wanted to make sure my HR was ok, and I got a good drink prior to heading out. What would you do differently?: Not too much. When and if I get to a level where I have a chance to compete for my age group I'll worry about seconds in the transitions. Right now I need to make up major minutes, not a couple of seconds.  Run
Comments: The only other Olympic I've done last year I tanked on the run and did something like 58 minutes, so I wanted to make sure I didn't kill myself and kept a steady pace. I've done a good bit more running this year and it helped as I wanted to break 50 minutes as my goal and I got that pretty easily. I felt pretty good for most of the race and only walked while drinking water at two stations. I can't get the water down while running so I just walk and sip, which works for me. I actually had two people pass me on the bike that I kept in sight and was able to pass both on the run. I'll rate it as good as anything under an 8 minute pace is pretty good for me at this stage. What would you do differently?: Not much. I'll continue to train and hope to get to where I can do a 7:30 pace by the end of the season and have that to build on for the future. Post race
Warm down: Stretched a little, took a shower even though my towels were soaked, I used my sweatshirt to dry off. Came out of the shower and the skies opened up again and it started pouring. I was able to get my bike racked and transition area cleared prior to the rain. Then went under the shelter and talked with friends, got some chicken and cookies, ate and watched the awards. A friend took 3rd in his AG in the sprint, then we left. What limited your ability to perform faster: Experience with wetsuits and OW swims. Experience and time in the saddle on the bike, and just not being a super fast runner. I've gotten much better. The first Olympic I did was 3:05 (27 mile bike instead of 20), so I think I've improved. I certainly did on the run. Event comments: Setup does a good job putting on races. The weather was brutal, but they don't control that. I will do this race again next year, God willing, and hopefully improve. Last updated: 2008-04-28 12:00 AM
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United States
Set Up Events
70F / 21C
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 67/127
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 11/24
Got up at 4:45, ate a cliff bar and banana and headed to Keith's to meet and ride down with him. Did stop and have a cup of coffee on the way, as well as one bottle of water. I'd packed everything the night before.
Met he and Todd, loaded the bikes and headed to Aiken, about 50 minute drive.Got there registered, and got marked, then went and set up transition. I took a bucket this time to hold everything which turned out to be a good idea because as soon as we got everything set up it started raining and I was able to turn the bucket over and keep my shoes and socks, shirt, etc relatively dry. I had taken it to use as a stool to change into/out of my bike shoes because they aren't tri specific and take a little work.
Jogged around about 1/2 mile, then got into the wetsuit and headed down to the swim start. Standing there getting instructions and it was like a fireworks show with lightening. The guy kept talking and I was debating whether or not I was going to swim if they started the race. At 7:55 they decided to wait, and we ended up waiting until 9 to start, and even then it was shaky.