Harvest Moon Long Course Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Aurora, Colorado
United States
Racing Underground
55F / 13C
Overcast
Total Time = 6h 06m 36s
Overall Rank = 183/349
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 2/15
Pre-race routine:

Make coffee, eat oatmeal, pack car. Got there @ 6:00 when the park opened, then waited in line a bit. Grabbed far corner TZ spot thinking I'd have it to myself; didn't, but it was a friendly group, and you can't not find your spot when it's in the corner.
Event warmup:

Jogged out toward Powhaten, doing pickups on the uphills, 1.5 laps. Only had an hour in TZ to set up et al, so had to throw on the wetsuit and jog to the beach. Quick dip -- the cold water took my breath away. Actually the air was so cold by the beach you could see your breath. Had no idea what the start or route was since I was wearing earplugs, but someone filled my in and I ducked under the buoys just in time for the start.
Swim
  • 44m 27s
  • 2112 yards
  • 02m 06s / 100 yards
Comments:

Swim went by fast -- this time includes run to transition. Surprised how fast it went considering how slow I swim; didn't check distance against gravel pond carefully so thought it would be 300 yds longer. Actual swim time was 43", in spite of going way off course -- I was sighting off a swimmer who apparently was sighting off me cuz we both went off to the right on the way out. Very choppy so could only breathe to one side. I stopped to fix my watch which felt like it was falling off, and stopped to cough up a huge wave I inhaled. Otherwise, water was pretty open and only 1 big guy swam over me. Tried to draft, but couldn't see a thing in the water. Finally started sighting well on the last 1/4 of the swim.
What would you do differently?:

Not run all the way across TZ barefoot in my wetsuit to offer my extra pair of swim goggles they had requested for someone who forgot theirs; instead, spend a little more time in the water to get used to the direction of the waves and the water temp.
Transition 1
  • 03m 48s
Comments:

Was too cold to take wetsuit off right away, but waited too long and suddenly I was at T1 and still zipped up. But used Pam and the thing slid off. Used earplugs on the swim so I was less tippy at T1. Was surprised how easy transitions are after practicing at home and a few races behind me; was sure I had forgotten something it went so smooth. With new aero bottle bike computer is now where I used to hold my bike w. one hand to run, so had to use 2 hands to steer the bike.
What would you do differently?:

Not park in the corner by the bystanders and start chatting with them. Also, I actually brought a thermometer with me and it said 50 degrees and I still didn't put on my rolled up leg warmers. That was stupid and may take at least a week for my knees to recover. Probably was the reason for knee muscle pissiness on the 1st and last miles of the run.
Bike
  • 3h 10m 19s
  • 56 miles
  • 17.65 mile/hr
Comments:

This is 28 mins faster than when I rode it 2 weeks ago. The wind was in our faces on the way north and behind us on the way back which made it a much easier ride. And no cross wind. Should have worn my leg warmers, altho I never felt very cold. Focused on spinning to keep my knees warm and not spend it all on the bike. Feet numb the whole time. Couldn't eat more than 1 gel because of stomach -- need to find a new electrolyte drink. Had fun passing people and only had to give one guy shit for coming within inches of hitting my front wheel when he cut in front of me. At the farthest point in the ride it was wide open and I was all alone so started talking to myself and any pedestrians I saw. Some chatting with other riders toward the end.
What would you do differently?:

Better nutrition. Leg warmers under 60 degrees.
Transition 2
  • 02m 7s
Comments:

Had to change sox -- tell you why after a few beers. Glad I had an extra pair at TZ. Decided against fuelbelt -- bad idea. I hate using disposable cups so drank less water than I should have considering my pissy tummy. Glad I had practiced grabbing my racebelt and visor and putting visor on w/o losing an eye :)
What would you do differently?:

Follow my pre-race plan and not change it on the fly.
Run
  • 2h 05m 57s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 09m 37s  min/mile
Comments:

Started out w. numb toes and almost fell on my nose on the 1st downhill. Felt slow but garmin said I was ahead of target. that should have been my clue to slow down, but I ignored it. Went out doing 8:30s and came back doing 9s, 10s+. After half the run I realized I could break 6 hrs which was 30 mins faster than my expectations, but I couldn't keep up the run -- because of lack of nutrition due to wanting to barf is my guess. The run was BORING -- can't imagine a full mary. I tried thinking of songs w/ "goodbye" in them because that was on my mind as I left my house at 5am. then I moved to "hello". then I tried upbeat songs but came up pretty blank there. I encouraged almost every runner I saw, thanked volunteers and cheering spectators, chatted for a mile with some guy til i realized I needed to kick it to break 6, but still it was boring. Knees hurt early and late in the run, but when I stopped and stretched it pissed off my hammy so I ran instead. the minute i stopped at the finish my leg seized. And not for lack of electrolytes or hydration so must have been lack of carbs. Mostly I thought about pushing off and cadence -- there was no stride.
What would you do differently?:

Get better nutrition. Stretch and run more. Try to focus. Push harder on the pace -- who chats during a race?!
Post race
Warm down:

After my legs stopped cramping I walked to the car, packed my stuff, changed clothes, got food (hot food!), chatted, etc.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

NUTRITION

Event comments:

I'm a HIM! I signed up for this race cuz it coincided w/ the end of my HIM training plan -- needed a goal to keep me going. Then the race became my reason for the season after the training was done. By race time it was not a matter of finishing, but of beating other racers, altho I was glad to not see any of my AG close behind me at the end of the run. May have enjoyed it more w/o the additional pressure, but psyched to get 2nd. Glad taper worked, glad I did it, glad to take a week off now. There were tons of volunteers, results were almost instantaeous, and the bbq was delicious. Will probably do it again next year! 35/118 women.




Last updated: 2008-06-03 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:44:27 | 2112 yards | 02m 06s / 100yards
Age Group: 9/15
Overall: 280/349
Performance: Good
Suit: Xterra full
Course: Out and back.
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 65F / 18C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Average Drafting: Bad
Waves: Navigation: Bad
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 03:48
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
03:10:19 | 56 miles | 17.65 mile/hr
Age Group: 2/15
Overall: 198/349
Performance: Good
Wind:
Course: Out and back then out and around. Not many options out there.
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 02:07
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:05:57 | 13.1 miles | 09m 37s  min/mile
Age Group: 2/15
Overall: 145/349
Performance: Below average
Next day checked garmin: Avg HR: 135; Max HR 143. Zone 1-2 whole run. Avg pace: 9:47. When I look at the graph of my pace, it looks fairly steady, so I must have checked my garmin when pace was fast on the way out and when it was slow on the way in. weird.
Course: Out and back. Concrete and cinder trail.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4