Swim
Comments: I planned to start wide, and did, but to the wrong side. Logistically, I should have been wide right, since the bouys were to be on our left. That meant that everyone funneled in "toward me" instead of my having control on when I veered inward. Suffered little damage, so a good learning point for me. What would you do differently?: Start wide, to the "out" side of the bouys! Transition 1
Comments: Shoes were already clipped on my bike, and I rode sockless, so this saved me a lot of time in T1. However, one of the rubber bands I used to keep my shoes level on the bike was a bit too thick and did not break-away as easy as I had expected. No biggy, just reached down and gave that a stiff yank. What would you do differently?: Use thinner rubber bands to secure my shoes to the bike! Bike
Comments: 'Got absolutely hammered by rain during the second half of the bike portion. I wear eyeglasses but these offered no significant protection from the hard rain. Additionally, it was really tough to see through them. Cornering was intimidating when I found out what it was like to try breaking on wet rims. That was a new one for me! What would you do differently?: Perhaps a riding cap with a visor would have been a good idea. Maybe next time if there is rain expected. Transition 2
Comments: I racked the bike, lost the helmet, slipped on the shoes (again sockless) and was off. Our buddy Pat "pdub" Ward gave me some "Yanks" for my running shoes just prior to the race. This lace system saved me a lot of time in not having to lace up my shoes in T2. Awesome! What would you do differently?: Nothing. Run
Comments: This is my weakest link, and in all my training leading up to this race...the furthest I ever ran was 3 miles. Once! I spent more time in the pool and on the bike. The run hurt. Alot. But I tried to maintain a steady and quick turn-over rate. I had anticipated (hoped) to turn in about a 25-minute run and I was right there. What would you do differently?: More endurance running throughout my race training, including weekly intervals! Post race
Warm down: Walked a block or so with one of my sons and cheered on other racers as they neared their finish. What limited your ability to perform faster: Lack of running endurance. Event comments: For a little "hometown" race, this was more organized than I expected. Plenty of volunteers, police, and staff throughout the entire course. I would definitely like to do this one again. Last updated: 2009-02-25 12:00 AM
|
|
United States
New Baltimore Recreation Department
70F / 21C
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 55/208
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 10/21
Awoke at 4:00 AM, after getting only about 4 1/2 hours of sleep. I ate a bowl of oatmeal at 4:30 AM, drank a cup of joe, loaded the truck, and left for the race. Arrived on site at 6:00 AM. Immediately set up my transition and just hung out. 30 minutes from race time I downed a hammer gel.
15 minutes before the swim I went for a quick 1/4 mile jog, then headed to the beach for a little splashing around until the horn sounded. Definitely not the warm-up I had planned, but was told by life guards that we would not be able to warm-up in the water prior to the race. When I got to the beach I found out that was not true. :-( A cold-muscle start!