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 Swim
Comments: Seemed like the washing machine went on for longer than usual. I was still bumping elbows with people past the first buoy. Also got my first kick in the head during the swim. Luckily it was only a triathlete flutter-kick, otherwise things could have turned out worse. Once the group thinned out along the long side of the rectangular course, I found myself swimming mainly alone, as I had veered about 25 yards seaward of the course. I tried to realign myself, but for some reason my body insisted on swimming to the left. It didn't help matters that the buoys were the same color as the swim caps of the guys in my wave. What would you do differently?: Pleased with effort overall- didn't quite break 2:00/100m, but came pretty close. Under better pre-race circumstances, and with more sighting and OWS practice, I think there's still plenty of room for improvement.  Transition 1
Comments: Running up the sand is always a killer. I ended up walking most of it, and walking toward my bike, to catch my breath a little. Saw Becca and my buddy Justin on the way, stopped briefly to say hello. Wetsuit came off like a dream. Once I was at my bike, things moved more quickly. What would you do differently?: Run up the sand. Run to my bike. Put on my helmet while removing my wetsuit. I could probably have saved close to a minute on this transition.  Bike
Comments: Broke the 20 mph average today! Which is a little strange, given the amount I've been riding over the past month or so. Really fun course- enough hills to make it interesting, but nothing too challenging. Almost no wind. Tried to stay on the aerobars as much as possible, but the constant gear shifting made it tough. Felt like I could have pushed a little harder, but wanted to save something for the run. Got my feet out of the shoes during the last mile, no problem. Didn't use the Garmin this time around. What would you do differently?: Bike less? Seems to have worked this time. Try to stay in aero more and still maintain frequent shifting. Transition 2
Comments: Pretty quick transition. What would you do differently?: Practice the flying dismount- I got the shoe removal part down, just need to incorporate the finale.  Run
Comments: Couldn't have asked for a better run. Stayed at a steady 8:00-8:15/mi pace most of the race, then turned on the gas for the last mile. Broke 50 minutes, which is a new 10k PR (tri or standalone). Got water/gatorade at roughly every other aid station, and WALKED while I drank it, which seemed to really help as I was able to get more of the water into my body and less on my shirt. Passed a few guys in my AG. Really just ran at a smooth, comfortable pace until the last mile. Best part- no side stitches. What would you do differently?: Hit the restrooms pre-race so I don't have to stop during the run. Otherwise, nothing, just get faster. Post race
Warm down: They gave out ice water soaked towels at the finish line, which was key- despite the cool temps and overcast sky, I was getting a little overheated. Grabbed some water and fresh fruit bowl (nice), and found Becca and Justin. Didn't stick around long- headed back to Sherman Oaks for breakfast at Jinky's. What limited your ability to perform faster: Swim navigation Event comments: I really liked this race. Expensive, yes, but for me it was everything you could ask for in an Olympic distance tri. Plus, the fact that I accomplished two of my goals in one race (20 mph bike average and sub 50 minute 10K) was a nice bonus. Last updated: 2009-03-02 12:00 AM
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United States
Michael Epstein Sports Productions, Inc.
65F / 18C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 349/1258
Age Group = M25-29
Age Group Rank = 57/122
What a morning. Spent the night at my folks' house in Sherman Oaks. Set my trusty cell phone alarm for 4:15, figured on leaving at 4:30 to get to the race by 5:30. Problem was that I forgot to switch my alarm from PM to AM, and woke up at 5:30 in a panic. Rushed out the door, got to the race site at about 6:35 (transition area closed at 6:30 for the pre-race briefing). Picked up my race packet as they finished the national anthem. Bolted into the transition area, set my stuff up and realized I had left my bike helmet in the car.
Called Becca. She had already parked and walked most of the way back. She ran back to the car and got the helmet as I finished putting on my wetsuit and running to the swim start, which was maybe 2/3 mile down the beach, not knowing if she'd be able to get my helmet to where my bike was staged in the transition area, or if she'd have to hand it off to me as I came out of the water, or what.
By the time I got to the swim start, zipped up my wetsuit, put on my cap and goggles, and put my face in the water, they were already calling for everyone to get out so the first wave could get started. I was in the first wave.
My HR must have been in low Z4 since I woke up that morning. Aside from the short run to the swim start, that was just about my only warmup.