Columbia Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Ellicott City, Maryland
United States
The Columbia Triathlon Association Inc.
63F / 17C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 50m 51s
Overall Rank = 700/
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 77/
Pre-race routine:

Breakfast consisted of Low-Sugar Quaker Instant Oatmeal, half of a banana. Electrolytes on the 45 minute drive up from DC.

Got there about an hour and half before start. Setup Transition, tried to go to the bathroom, found the club tent and left my bag there. Was chilly, kind of cold. Watched the pro's start off.
Event warmup:

nothing new, stretched, put on wetsuit.
Swim
  • 29m 49s
  • 1500 meters
  • 01m 59s / 100 meters
Comments:

This swim course always seems longer than it is because you can't see the end. I started off slow and steady, I was pretty exhausted coming out of the water, as I'm not the fastest. I concentrated on my technique, and roll, and hand placement, careful not to kick too much, sighting etc. I stayed within 3 feet of every buoy and probably needed a wetsuit with more arm movement, but the wetsuit was fine for a rental. A 2XU style from Conte's rental.
What would you do differently?:

Definitely my weak area, more mileage and building up strength on swimming. My speed is really slow in comparison to other swimmers and a Master class would be beneficial.
Transition 1
  • 03m 36s
Comments:

Some guy was sitting on my towel during transition, so I passed it twice, then saw my bike, asked the guy to move.
What would you do differently?:

nothing much.
Bike
  • 1h 21m 22s
  • 25.48 miles
  • 18.79 mile/hr
Comments:

The bike stretch started off with ton's of people in front of me, passed lot's didn't get passed by anyone else until mile 1.5. I stayed on the heels of a few people that were my speed, the downhills I rock at, but don't know whether that's because I've got some extra weight or what.:) Most people I saw didn't pedal on the downhills, and I kept my cadence on the uphills going, which was a great strategy. About 15 people on the side of the road I saw with flats or whatever, lot's of aero water sponges in the road. One nasty accident with one guy, I have no idea about that.
What would you do differently?:

I practiced this course doing it twice a few weeks back. This really helped, and my hills weren't as bad as they normally are, but still need to work on hillwork like always. Lighter Wheels and tires helped.
Transition 2
  • 01m 54s
Comments:

Was good, again couldn't find my Transition area for a second.
What would you do differently?:

Maybe mark my area better, with bright tape or something.
Run
  • 54m 6s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 08m 43s  min/mile
Comments:

Man, I didn't know how hilly this was. Hill upon hill, I really should have just done ton's of hill work in prep for this.

My lower back was hurting because of the bike, I think I need to re-adjust my bike fit or something. Stopped about 4 times to bend and stretch the lower back. Walked a lot of the big hills, it just wasn't worth the energy expenditure.
What would you do differently?:

More run hill work for this, especially bricks.
I could easily had shaved 5 minutes off of my run with more hill work.
Post race
Warm down:

Ate everything in sight, re-hydrated with Gatorade then 5 Guys burgers beer later on in the evening.
Thank you DCTri Tent for the food and volunteers!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I think I will stop using Accelerade as a drink, it makes me bloated and not really feel good on the bike or the run. Too much for the stomach to take.

Event comments:

Columbia is one of the more challenging Oly's in the East Coast, and very well participated.




Last updated: 2008-05-19 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:29:49 | 1500 meters | 01m 59s / 100meters
Age Group: 101/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Suit: 2XU
Course: A counterclockwise J route with about 7 buoys, lake water with slight waves.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 67F / 19C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 03:36
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
01:21:22 | 25.48 miles | 18.79 mile/hr
Age Group: 75/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Wind: Some with gusts
Course: Extremely hilly course, with traffic.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Average Hills: Average
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Too much
T2
Time: 01:54
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Average
Jumping off bike Average
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:54:06 | 06.21 miles | 08m 43s  min/mile
Age Group: 86/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Course: Extremely Hilly course, a hill on every turn.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
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: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4