Callaway Gardens Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint


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Pine Mountain, Georgia
United States
Callaway Gardens
80F / 27C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 04m 26s
Overall Rank = 508/~1200
Age Group = 55-59
Age Group Rank = 7/20
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at about 2:45 when one of my summer baseball players sent me a text....at least he wasn't in jail. Couldn't get back to sleep. Got my stuff packed and since I was staying about 25 minutes from the event I headed over early. Stopped and picked up Dr. GoodHands and we were at the transition area to set up about 5:00.

Bagel and PB.

Since I was the "trainer" for our group of 40+ newbies I wanted to make sure I was there to help any of them set up their area.
Event warmup:

Helping pump up about 20 tires....IN A ROW. I haven't had that kind of a buzz since college. ;)
Swim
  • 09m 7s
  • 440 yards
  • 02m 04s / 100 yards
Comments:

Not a bad swim for NO training. And I REALLY didn't train for this at all. I did walk about 50 yds total which I am not pleased with. Based on last year and what some other people did I KNOW that walking in chest deep water is much slower than swimming it would have been, so I am not dissapointed with the time.
What would you do differently?:

Train.
Transition 1
  • 02m 31s
Comments:

Set up at the far end of transition so I wouldn't have to go as far with my cleats on. This worked out but it does make the run from the lake, in bare feet, a long haul.

I really pushed in T1 & T2 this year and even though I was only 10 seconds slower this year I attribute that to the fact that this year I was using bike shoes and last year I just rode with my running shoes. Everything went smoothly though and given the distance I had to run I was pleased with these times.
What would you do differently?:

Train
Bike
  • 28m 44s
  • 9 miles
  • 0.00 mile/hr
Comments:

I felt that last year I left something on the bike and after reading all of the race reports about people bonking on the run after pushing on the bike...well I coasted. This year I wanted to push a little and since I had a new ride that's what I did.

Well the plan worked for the first 6...then I was just holding on. I was actually averaging about 20.5 at the 6 mile mark then went downhill fast. Blah, blah, blah...more training...but I felt really good and I know with some TITS I can really do some good things on the bike.
What would you do differently?:

T.I.T.S.
Transition 2
  • 02m 33s
Comments:

As I noted above I wanted to push in the Transitions and I went all out. But with the additional changing of cleats to running shoes and the fact that I had just nearly bonked on the bike this Transition time was not as good as I would have liked for it to be. This year was only 16 sec. slower than last....I'll take it.

Everything went smooth I just didn't have the legs to really press it.

There is one guy in our group that REALLY wanted to beat me. I beat him last year by 1:10 and I caught him on the run. He had hammered me on the bike but I caught him about 1/2 way on the run and passed him. This year he was loaded for bear and vowed to beat me....he never said anything....you just knew.

When I came into T-2 he was on the ground getting his shoes on and he looked up and saw me....."Oh, $hit" was all I heard. He shook his head and off he went. I peeled out of T-2 24" behind him....I had a HORRIBLE RUN....He beat me by 26". I have NEVER seen a happier person at a race than this guy.

I am soooo glad for him...but alas..it will be short lived for next year I AM going to train for just THIS race and I am going to BURY his a$$. I hate to do it...but it must be done to set things right with the universe.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. My troubles here were a direct result of bonking on the bike...and I know how to fix that.
Run
  • 21m 34s
  • 2 miles
  • 10m 47s  min/mile
Comments:

I would have expected to have a decent run and I would have had it not been for the "Great Failed Bike Experiment".

Didn't have my watch on but I suspect I went about 4/1 Run/Walk. Never felt comfy and it was all problems with the legs. There is no way that I shouldn't be able to go 2 frickin miles without walking...but not today. Just couldn't do it.
What would you do differently?:

So, I see no need to repeat myself...if you have read this far, you know the deal.
Post race
Warm down:

Hung out at the finish line so I could cheer and cow-bell for all of the other Oakbridge Tri Team members. Those guys did AWESOME. 40+ people, 90% first-timers and all finished up-right and ambulatory.

This is really what it is all about for me. I love to compete and to race but to help other people do something bigger than they ever thought they could do is a feeling that even winning my AG would not compare to.

The race is run at Callaway Gardens and the motto of our team is "Couch-to-Callaway. This is about helping people get off the sofa and do something with their lives. In the 2 years we have done this almost 100 people have started training/racing. Some have continued and some have not but they are still doing SOMETHING to better their health. That makes me feel very lucky to be a part of something cool.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

All together now.......................LACK OF TRAINING.

Event comments:

Great race for first-timers and for those looking for a low-key event. Even though there were 1200+ people there is is run like a local event. Awesome venue and a great place to take the family for the weekend.




Last updated: 2009-01-28 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:09:07 | 440 yards | 02m 04s / 100yards
Age Group: 3/20
Overall: 0/~1200
Performance: Average
Suit:
Course: We swim an arc that is parallel to the beach at Robin Lake. If you are out by the inflatables you are in about 7' of water...otherwise you can walk the entire distance....and MANY did.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 80F / 27C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Good
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding:
T1
Time: 02:31
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
00:28:44 | 09 miles | 0.00 mile/hr
Age Group: 8/20
Overall: 0/~1200
Performance: Average
Wind: None
Course: Flat with some long inclines at about the 6 mile mark. Certainly nothing to worry about....if you TRAINED.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 85
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Average Hills:
Race pace: Hard Drinks:
T2
Time: 02:33
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Average
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:21:34 | 02 miles | 10m 47s  min/mile
Age Group: 11/20
Overall: 0/~1200
Performance: Below average
Course: Flat loop around Robin Lake. Open for the first mile and shaded for the second.
Keeping cool Average Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 2
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