Tri the Midlands - TriathlonSprint


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Columbia, South Carolina
United States
Setup Events
80F / 27C
Overcast
Total Time = 1h 26m 4s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = M30-34
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

I got up early to take care of the requisite nervous stomach issues. Surprisingly, today's race was the calmest I've ever felt before a race. I'm not sure if it's because I had pretty low expectations from this race or what, but I truly didn't feel stressed about this race at all.

Upon arrival, I chatted up with lots of racing/training friends I hadn't seen in a while. It was great catching up with folks.
Event warmup:

Walk down to the water - about a 300/400 yards jaunt from transition. Continue chatting with friends.
Swim
  • 14m 5s
  • 500 meters
  • 02m 49s / 100 meters
Comments:

When I say my swim was "average," I'm probably incorrectly comparing it to last year when I actually trained. I should probably be pretty happy considering my whopping 3 weeks (6 sessions) of swim training prior to the race. I will say that this was the best I have ever navigated. I mean, I was dead on the buoys pretty much the whole time.
What would you do differently?:

Train?
Transition 1
  • 01m 21s
Comments:

No major issues to report. The run out of transition was uphill so it made, for me at least, slow going. I'm not going to complain too much about T1. I mean, I was out faster than several friends who completely blew me away overall time-wise.

However, once I hit the mount line I ran into a guy on a mountain bike who was swerving some. That didn't help my progress any and I had a hard time clipping in. Oh well, c'est la vie.
What would you do differently?:

Get clipped in better.
Bike
  • 39m 54s
  • 12 miles
  • 18.05 mile/hr
Comments:

Good ride for me. I didn't even bother to put race wheels or aerobars on - just rode my road bike as is. I didn't pay any attention to time or distance, just focused on cadence. Except for having to stop because my chain dropped from overshifting, I had a pretty good ride. Of course, I could have gone faster but would have paid even more on the run.
What would you do differently?:

Again, I'd probably train for the race for longer than just 3 weeks.
Transition 2
  • 01m 4s
Comments:

Well, transition was downhill, but running on anything but flat with cycling cleats is no fun. I felt like I moved really well in this transition.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Run
  • 29m 42s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 09m 33s  min/mile
Comments:

I was able to keep my turnover up through the first 1/2 mile when the run always feels bad. The course was a bit tough with the pretty substantial hill (at least to me). Actually, most my buddies were commenting on how much the hill hurt. My calves were beginning to cramp up but they didn't do too badly. I may have been able to push the last 1/2 mile a tad more if I knew a little better where the finish was. But all in all I can't complain considering my "training" - ha ha ha.
What would you do differently?:

Train - heard this one before?
Post race
Warm down:

Wandered around chatting up friends while scarfing down water and oranges & bananas.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Let me go out on a limb here and say lack of training. ;-)

Event comments:

I would, if I could, give it a 4 1/2 instead of a five. My main complaint was the long walk to transition from the parking area (about 1/2 mile) and the fact the run was on the jogging path instead of the road (which made it hillier and curvier and more crowded). But considering this was the first time the event was held at this location, I think Set Up Events did a great job - as usual. I would definitely recommend this race and plan on doing it again next year. This time, I think I'll train beforehand. ;-)




Last updated: 2008-06-05 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:14:05 | 500 meters | 02m 49s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
This swim time includes the aforementioned run, uphill, into transition
Suit: N/A
Course: 3 left-hand turn course, probably 150 out, 225 across, 125 in. Weird geometry.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 84F / 29C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 01:21
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Bad
Biking
00:39:54 | 12 miles | 18.05 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Wind: None
Course: Very nice rolling course.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 90+
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Average Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:04
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:29:42 | 03.11 miles | 09m 33s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Course: Flat first mile or so with a big downhill/uphill leading to the turnaround point, then redo the hill and have about 1/2 mile flat leading to a slight uphill finish.
Keeping cool Good Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5