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 Swim
Comments: What a current! Unbelievable swim times. Had a little difficulty with breathing at one point, so actually flipped over and backstroked for a very short bit, and then got after it again. But much better than previous races, no panic at all. Had some difficulty sighting due to overcast/dark course and tinted goggles. Tried to draft some. Got into a nice rhythm the last 400 meters or so. The water turned black the last 25 yds, from all the silt kicked up. Glad to have learned on BT not to stand up until you hit the ramp. Awesome volunteer yanked my big ass up onto the platform, and I was done! What would you do differently?: I think I will try some clear lenses in my goggles. The darkness thing may contribute to slight claustrophobic feelings in the water. I think I can go out harder and try to "race" next time, rather than just swim.  Transition 1
Comments: Long run to T1, but great transition (7/68 in my group). Walked up ramp, but then ran the rest of the long way. What would you do differently?: Nothing except run faster!  Bike
Comments: For what ever reason, I had to pee like a racehorse from about mile 3. I had a great pace, but I need more work on the hills. I used all my gears, stayed in the big ring except for the turn up at the Bronx, but the hills got to me. I stuck to my plan to go out easy and then hammer after mile 15, but don't think I pushed hard enough. Quads were hurting and bladder was uncomfortable. Thought about peeing on the bike like a real triathlete, but couldn't do it! Course was crowded on way back as we caught the earlier slow waves. What would you do differently?: I need some hill work. And need to dial in my hydration/nutrition. Transition 2
Comments: Got my right big toe stuck trying to get in my shoe, so that slowed me down some. Still a nice T2, 8/68 in my wave. What would you do differently?: nothing  Run
Comments: The crowd was awesome on the run up 72nd to the Park. Lots of cowbells. I laughed and yelled "More Cowbell!!" to a group right as we hit 72nd. Stuck to the plan to go out slow, then started to go @ mile 3. Then disaster struck right after mile 4. My right quad cramped, and as I stopped to stretch, both hamstrings seized up. I was worried I was done, but I stretched, tried to jog a bit , and couldn't go. So I stretched again and walked a few yards, and then started again. I actually caught a few people who had passed me when I walked. But I didn't feel like I was racing at this point. But I gutted it out and finished strong. What would you do differently?: Definitely need some hill work!! And I need to analyze my nutrition/hydration to figure out the cramping. Never has been a problem on long bricks before, even in mucch hotter weather. So I'm a bit stumped. Post race
Warm down: Through the chute, got water and the awesome chilled wet towel, and my finisher's medal. I must have looked like sh*t, b/c a nice young lady came up to me and said "Sir, are you ok?" I smiled and said yes. I wanted to find those free massages for my legs, but had to pee so badly I kept walking, and soon was out of the area to the porta-potties. Then they wouldn't let me back to the initial area. Oh well. Found Sara again, had muscle milk, bagels, water, and picked up clothes and headed out to meet the family. Never did get that massage. What limited your ability to perform faster: Cramping on the run. Needing to pee on the bike. Need some hill work. Event comments: This was a great experience for me, especially for my first Oly. I enjoyed the challenge, I loved the excitement of a "big" race. Just the sight of the transition zones alone is enough to blow your mind. The run up 72nd St to Central Park makes you feel like a rock star! Awesome volunteers everywhere, and extremely well-organized. I trained hard and was glad I had 3 sprints under my belt this year already, but this is not necessarily a good choice for a first race for a total newbie (despite how it may be advertised). Last updated: 2009-01-29 12:00 AM
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United States
80'sF / 0C
Overcast
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = >40 Clydesdale
Age Group Rank = 22/68
Tossed and turned, waking up almost every hour, but got up at 3:50 am. Had coffee and hot water delivered to the room, and ate my oatmeal, had my coffee, double checked my transition bag, and headed out the door at 4:30. Still left my sunglasses sitting on the table. Glad it was overcast and rainy. Walked out of hotel and right into a cab. Ate a Cliff bar and sipped water on the ride down. I had to laugh at one point when we stopped at a light and saw two girls and a dude just getting home from a night out at the bars. What different mornings we were having!
Set up my transition quickly, and was glad to have stashed trash bags in my kit. Used those to cover my helmet and my run set-up, b/c it started drizzling again. Clipped/rubber banded shoes on the bike and got out of T1. The mood was a little intense around my rack.
Actually found my sister-in-law in the sea of humanity, and we hung out for a while. Her wave left 45 min earlier than mine. She's the one who challenged/convinced me to sign up for my first Oly. Just relaxed on the hill above the swim and stretched a little. No running or anything else. Then it was time to get in the queue.