Cleveland Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic


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Cleveland, Ohio
United States
Pacific Sports Event Management
76F / 24C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 42m 7s
Overall Rank = 31/101
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 5/15
Pre-race routine:

None. I slept in. Suddenly, the man who never needs an alarm clock found himself scurrying around the room, wishing he'd scheduled a wake-up call. Quick bowl of oatmeal and coffee and I was off.
Event warmup:

None.
Swim
  • 28m 54s
  • 1500 yards
  • 01m 56s / 100 yards
Comments:

The water was warm and murky. Tasted fine, and you could see about as far as your hand. The waves were choppier than they looked and they had an effect. I was disappointed in my swim.

However, I did not wear a wetsuit (good call) and swam in tri shorts and a top for the first time (another good call).
What would you do differently?:

Not really sure, other than swim faster!
Transition 1
  • 01m 55s
Comments:

Perhaps 100 yards from my assigned transition area to the mats out for the bike start. Not having to change into any clothes was a definite plus. I need to save more time, though. I'm going to start training without socks.
What would you do differently?:

The guy next to me was stuck in his wetsuit and couldn't get it off. "Can you give it a pull?," he asked. And I did, and it was indeed caught on his ankle timing strap. Plus the guy had the biggest ankles in the world.

Would I help him again? Well, I would. But I swear I heard a clock ticking during this entire 15 seconds or so.

Bike
  • 1h 16m 17s
  • 24 miles
  • 18.88 mile/hr
Comments:

This was a great race for spectators, who you passed repeatedly throughout the course. Most folks congregated at the parkway, where you entered the course. You rode about 2 miles east, then looped back 4 miles west, then 2 miles east for lap 1. You do the math : is that 7x they saw you over 3 laps?

Constant wind. One gust almost blew me off my bike.

Coming out of a downhill, with a speed of 31mph, a race volunteer ushered me into the exit lane. The problem: I had 2 more laps to go. I came to a sudden dead stop, turned around, and pretty much muttered "crap crap crap crap" for the next 1/4 mile until I got my rhythm back.


What would you do differently?:

1. Pay more attention at the race meeting to the course description.
2. More bike training.
Transition 2
  • 01m 33s
Comments:

I couldn't get my right shoe tied. Well, I did eventually, just not on the first attempt.
What would you do differently?:

Try Yanks again. I hated them last time but maybe its worth another go.
Run
  • 53m 26s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 08m 36s  min/mile
Comments:

I died on the run, but I didn't know it.

Again, it's my fault for not scoping out the course or asking questions at the race meeting. I had no idea how far the first loop went, and by the time I did figure it out, I was off pace enough that I could never get back to where I wanted to be. But it was still a good run and I'm pleased that my knee issues seem to be resolved. Amazing how 2 weeks of no running can ease the pain!
What would you do differently?:

Determine the mile marks so I can monitor my pace immediately.
Post race
Warm down:

Little walking, little biking just to spin the wheels.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Once again, my ignorance of the course. If I'm going to race in new venues, I should do some reconnaissance.

Event comments:

Post-race activities at Voinovich Park, within 50 yards of the transition area. Lots of music. Great place to be on a sunny day.

The race footprint was compact, which allowed spectators to be fairly close to athletes the whole time. The distance from the swim start, to the bike race viewing area, to the finish line, was about 2 blocks.

Parking was limited as most of the public garages were closed on Sunday morning. However, on street parking was legal, and there were a number of empty lots nearby.

If I did the race again -- and I might -- I'd stay at the Holiday Inn, the Crowne Plaza, or the Marriot, which were all within 5 blocks of the race area instead of the Hilton Garden Inn, which was about a mile away. Sure, you'd have to get to the Hilton for race check-in and the meetings, but on race morning you'd be right where you need to be. And the area around the Hilton seemed to get sketchy as day turned into night.




Last updated: 2008-05-19 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:28:54 | 1500 yards | 01m 56s / 100yards
Age Group: 5/15
Overall: 0/101
Performance: Average
Suit: DeSoto tri shorts and top.
Course: Out from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to the breakwall in the lake and back.
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 74F / 23C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Good
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 01:55
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
01:16:17 | 24 miles | 18.88 mile/hr
Age Group: 4/15
Overall: 0/101
Performance: Good
Wind: Headwind with gusts
Course: 3 loops of a moderately hilly course.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:33
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:53:26 | 06.21 miles | 08m 36s  min/mile
Age Group: 7/15
Overall: 0/101
Performance: Average
Course: 2 loops to the east, followed by one loop to the west past the Cleveland Browns stadium and along the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to the finish line.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
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