First Tri... Conflicted.

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2009-07-13 7:43 AM

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Subject: First Tri... Conflicted.

So I just did my first Tri this wekend. It was a sprint, and it was so much fun. I was a little rough getting started (in the outhouse when the horn went, oops). The swim was a little scarey for me. I am a strong swimmer, not fast, but usually really comfortable in the water. Unfortunately my late trip to the outhouse left me fighting my way through the back of the pack getting kicked grabbed and run over (fairly typical from what I understand). I ended up finishing somwhere middle of the pack. The bike was awsome, passed lots of people and no one passed me, so that felt really good. The run was so cool, I actually ran the whole thing at a faster pace than I was roughly planning on, so I was super happy. Overall it was an amazing experience.

So here is my dilemma... I registered for the Sprint. My results are posted in the Try-a-Tri event, which leaves me with a swim time of over 45 minutes because they started way before the sprinters. I have looked at my bike and run time and they should have me placing somewhere in the top ten, maybe even the top 5 depending on what my actual swim time was. I didn't do splits on my HRM, but my total time on my HRM could even put me in the top 3. Is there anything wrong with wanting this corrected?  If this wasn't my first Tri, and I hadn't already had trouble getting registered (another story for aother time), I would probably just leave it alone. I just think that if there is a possibilty that if I may have place top 5 or 10 in my first race that I have earned that position and would like it reflected in the results.


On a side note, I couldn't stick around to wait for the results at the event and deal with it at the time  as a family emergency arose while I was racing and I had to leave as soon as I found out upon finishing the race.

2009-07-13 7:55 AM
in reply to: #2280365

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
The excitement and attention to most events is at the awards and for about a week later.  After that it becomes old news.  Enter another triathlon. 

I've always wished that when I had a bad time such as with a flat tire or something, I could have it eliminated.  Sort of like dropping a course before the final grade.
2009-07-13 8:45 AM
in reply to: #2280365

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
I would send the RD an email letting him know your results are posted wrong.  They should be able to confirm your registration was for the sprint race and correct your results.
2009-07-13 8:51 AM
in reply to: #2280365

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
I'm confused.  How exactly did your swim time end up being wrong?  Did they make a mistake (and if so, what was it), or did you just not start with your wave?
2009-07-13 8:58 AM
in reply to: #2280365

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
/\/\ It sounds like they "started" his clock when the try-a-tri people started. Since he did the spring he started well after those people so it's making his swim time (and overall time) look really long.

I don't see a big deal with emailing the RD to get it corrected. You paid your race fee, it would be nice to have correct results
2009-07-13 9:07 AM
in reply to: #2280365

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
How are they going to know when you actually started? Your word?

If you were registered to start with a particular wave and missed it... I'm not sure I would expect any restults to be changed. Sorry, but the race director is not responsible for getting you to the start line on time. Lesson learned?

 

2009-07-13 9:15 AM
in reply to: #2280619

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.

Am I undertstanding correctly that you missed your start by only a little bit (seconds to a minute) and you are sure you went with the correct wave? 

If so, I would definitely contact the RD and explain.  If you went with the sprint wave for your age, and they based your starting time on an entirely different wave, it should be corrected (regardless of your late start).    I would think the fact that your sprint swim was 45 minutes is reason enough for him to believe you.  I assume that's way outside of the normal swim times.

I think it's nice to have the correct time on the books. I look back year over year to see how I've improved, etc., and those results are out there forever.   They should be corrected. 

2009-07-13 9:21 AM
in reply to: #2280365

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
OK, I think I see now -- they started YOUR clock before YOUR wave actually began?  You should get the time as if your clock was started with your wave.  I don't think you have to prove to them that you started with your wave.  The time you missed while in the loo, well, that's your own problem, IMO.

I personally wouldn't really care about the posted results being 'correct', but I think it would be decent of you to contact the RD anyway, just so that he or she knows this problem occurred -- doing so may help prevent a similar error in the future.

ETA:  Well, I supposed there's another scenario -- was there a timing mat 'check in' for the swim?  Did you accidentally trigger yourself as 'checked in' for the previous wave?

Edited by Experior 2009-07-13 9:23 AM
2009-07-13 9:25 AM
in reply to: #2280365

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
Defiitely try to get it corrected, you only have a first tri once and I'm sure you want the results to be correct and reflect an awesome performance.
2009-07-13 9:40 AM
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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
Not sure why people are scolding the OP for not starting with the correct wave since that has not been established.

I also do not get the whole "Oh well, they posted the wrong times, move on" attitude. A few seconds here and there is one thing, but 45 min for a sprint swim? I wouldn't like that one bit.

Contact the RD and see what they can do.
2009-07-13 10:01 AM
in reply to: #2280759

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
mrbbrad - 2009-07-13 10:40 AM Not sure why people are scolding the OP for not starting with the correct wave since that has not been established.


I interpreted the outhouse story as resulting in starting after his wave began, but maybe I misread it.  I wasn't scolding, in any case, just suggesting that THAT portion of the time lost is just that -- time lost.  OP shouldn't expect a RD to give credit for time lost in the outhouse (not saying that OP was suggesting RD should).


I also do not get the whole "Oh well, they posted the wrong times, move on" attitude. A few seconds here and there is one thing, but 45 min for a sprint swim? I wouldn't like that one bit.

Contact the RD and see what they can do.


I guess that's an individual thing.  During the race, I want to go as fast as possible, but when it's all done, I couldn't care less what gets posted on the internet as my time.  I know what I did, and I'd be pretty surprised if anybody else in the world cares.

But yeah, as I said above, I do think OP should contact RD, assuming that we've now got the story right.

2009-07-13 6:29 PM
in reply to: #2280365

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Subject: RE: First Tri... Conflicted.
Thanks everyone for your responses. I contacted the RD and got things fixed. To those who didn't understand my original post, I did start with the right wave, maybe a minute or two later than them because of my potty break, but I DID start with the right group. The mistake was that they started my time with a group that left 30+ minutes before my group.

Anyway, I feel really good now... first tri and I was 7th in my AG and 22nd overall... super pumped. If it hadn't been for the time in the bathroom (yes lisac957, lesson learned), I would have definitely moved up a few spots.

I can't wait for my next race. I'm hooked.
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