Culpepper Sprint - TriathlonSprint


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Culpeper, Virginia
United States
Set-up, Inc.
75F / 24C
Sunny
 		Total Time = 2h 10m 25s
Overall Rank = 321/338
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 51/53
Pre-race routine:

Nature Valley yogurt bar, banana, apple. Stretching, etc.
Event warmup:

Brisk walk, short swim (too short, started too late and didn't leave enough time before race instructions: didn't get my breathing rhythm). (Boy it was chilly at 6AM, next time bring a jacket so you don't wimp out about doing a warm up swim when the air is cold)
Swim
  • 28m 19s
  • 820 yards
  • 03m 27s / 100 yards
Comments:

Had problems getting my rhythm (kept struggling for breath and switching to swimming on my back), until midway when I decided to breathe every other stroke. Sighting was OK, bumped a bit but didn't get shaken from it.
What would you do differently?:

Spend more time on warmup (bring a sweatshirt for post-warmup), focus on breathing better (every other stoke if needed); more OWS practice, if possible.
Transition 1
  • 01m 41s
Comments:

Kinda tough getting socks onto wet feet (even though I dried w/ microfiber cloth). LONG uphill climb from T1 to mounting line (which I ran), no room to jump onto bike, had to stop and mount before chip sensor line. (Wow-my T1 ranking was 16 out of 53!)
What would you do differently?:

Ditch the socks once I get bike shoes.
Bike
  • 1h 07m 29s
  • 16.1 miles
  • 14.31 mile/hr
Comments:

Took a few miles to catch my breath after swim and T1 uphill run (worth it?). Passing match between a few strong riders: I pass uphill, they pass downhill (no aero position on that bloody hybrid bike!). Went easy and spun gears on uphill to save legs for run. Mild stomach discomfort w/ Gatorade (Arctic frost).
What would you do differently?:

Other than a new bike and bike shoes, more time in saddle and more hill training.
Transition 2
  • 01m 10s
Comments:

Impossible to jump off at dismount: steep uphill climb. Walked down hill to T2 to stretch legs for run (and keep from falling).
What would you do differently?:

Practice dismounts up hills.
Run
  • 31m 48s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 10m 13s  min/mile
Comments:

Mild stomach discomfort from bike, so swallowed down an Accelerade Accel Gel (Kiwi Strawberry) slowly over 2 water stops. Felt good once legs got warmed up after the first long hill.
What would you do differently?:

Train with more hill work, more bricks.
Post race
Warm down:

Light jog, stretch, gatorade. Chocolate milk w/ lunch.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Swim, swim, swim: need to get my breathing rhythm under control and get some OWS practice. BIG difference between swimming in a murky lake and a pool with lanes. Time in the saddle and hill work on bike/runs also important for this race. A tri bike would help, too (donations welcome).

Event comments:

Terrific organization. Very memorable for my first tri. Will definitely do again next year.




Last updated: 2008-05-29 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:28:19 | 820 yards | 03m 27s / 100yards
Age Group: 51/53
Overall: 333/338
Performance: Below average
Suit: No
Course: Triangular counterclockwise course on lake (approx. 150yds to 1st turn buoy, 500 yds. to second turn buoy, 150 yds to finish).
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 85F / 29C Current:
200M Perf. Bad Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Below average Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 01:41
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:07:29 | 16.1 miles | 14.31 mile/hr
Age Group: 46/53
Overall: 305/338
Performance: Average
Wind: Some
Course: Challenging rolling hills, but can get good speed on the downhills. Beautiful farm country (saw some grazing buffalo!). Very tight turns in some places: worst is last turn at bottom of hill, then need to go uphill to dismount (some fell over at dismount line), then walk down grassy hill to T2.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 95
Turns: Average Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:10
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:31:48 | 03.11 miles | 10m 13s  min/mile
Age Group: 47/53
Overall: 296/338
Performance: Average
Course: Out of T2 onto grassy hill then levee, then tough climb on road in the sun. Turns at top of hill onto shady roads was better. Good water stations, good crowds. The initial climb meant a great downhill to the end.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5]