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Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3 - TriathlonSprint


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Jacksonville, Florida
United States
DRS Sports
87F / 31C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 18m 20s
Overall Rank = 192/192
Age Group = Athena
Age Group Rank = 2/2
Pre-race routine:

Got up at the hotel at 4:30 am, and snuggled in the best with our 3 year old who was awake, wondered why I wanted to do anything but stay there with him!? Got out of the bed by 5 am, showered and ate a peanut butter sandwich. We got out on the road on time, which with our crowd is impressive! Got to the race site at 6:40 and had to park a long way away. There were LOTS more people than the last time, and parking was really far from what I expected having done the #2 Series race just a few weeks before.

Got marked, set up my transition, took a gel and headed to the beach. My friend Jan was there. I talked her into this and it was her first race. She was a novice so she went in the same wave as I did.
Event warmup:

We walked over the dunes, and to the beach. I was feeling really calm, and then I saw the waves.....I considered not doing it. They were about 5ft, maybe more. One of the bouys had already come loose and they were trying to fix it. I don't know what stressed me more, the surf or the fact that the race was late starting--knowing that every minute delay was one minute hotter on the run. I thought my heart rate was plenty high enough. I was really worried...but in the end, I did do a few stretches.
Swim
  • 14m 2s
  • 400 meters
  • 03m 31s / 100 meters
Comments:

So, as I said the bouy had come lose prior to the start of the race. There were 5 waves, that went off every 4 minutes. After the first wave was rounding the first bouy the bouy let lose again so they stopped sending the waves in. Finally, they decided that a lifeguard on a surfboard would be the first bouy. She was directly into the sun and you couldn't even really see where she was until you got out past the first surf break line.

I started swimming early and dove under the waves. This went much, much better than the last race. Unfortunately, I still did the "priss swim". I kept my head out of the water the whole darn time!! Please know that swimming with my face in the water is no problem for me. I was scared to put my face in because the height of the waves. After passing the first bouy, I could not see the second one over the waves...I ended up going much further than I needed to. When I rounded the second bouy I again began to question my sanity, or at least the need for a freshwater swim! I got back through the surf, and was able to ride the waves better this time.

I was shocked to see that I was not the last person out of the swim!! There were a couple of guys that I saw that had to hang on the lifeguards "big red thinggie". These were guys that were really in shape. I would have hated to have been in the water without being able to swim well. In the end everyone made it out safe.

I wore a new shirt for the race this time and I was concerned about how it would be in the swim. It was loose fit but I was able to tuck it in my shorts tight for the swim. I felt like I needed a shirt with pockets on the bike and run, so this was the best option I could find. I thought it might be a problem on the swim but it did great.
What would you do differently?:

I guess that I would need to practice in bigger surf, but I'm not so sure I want to. I felt reasonably safe with the lifeguards right out there but I know I wouldn't go out there under those conditions if the lifeguard was on the beach.
Transition 1
  • 04m 3s
Comments:

Spent about 5 sec in the run through freshwater shower to get the sand off my feet. Everything went smooth getting into my bike shoes...it still makes me lasugh that I think I am the only person on the planet with clipless pedals on a comfort bike!! LOL
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, other than continue to race and get smoother and faster with transitions!
Bike
  • 55m 28s
  • 10 miles
  • 10.82 mile/hr
Comments:

The bike course is totally flat and very shaded. I have to say that I didn't get my heart rate up on the bike. I went as fast and hard as my quads would allow...they are just so weak! I did 2 gels on the bike and drank some Heed, and a full bottle of water. I had one guy pass me on the bike, at the turn around I got my escort. This time it was a motorcycle and it was really loud and most annoying. A police car took over the last mile and that was much better.
What would you do differently?:

From all of knee surgery I have VERY weak quads. Strength training is what I need...and of course get a road bike and ride lots!! I had put off starting my strength training plan so I could be ready for this race, gives me even more motivation for the gym workouts starting this week.
Transition 2
  • 02m 9s
Comments:

When I pulled into the area just before dismount there were lots of people milling around. Race officials were yelling at them to get out of the way, but some just didn't pay attention. I almost creamed this one lady in a long white dress...ugghhh! But then I saw my dh and beautiful children and all was good. There were lots of people yelling and cheering for me. I'm such a dork, I got all misty.

I got to my rack and there was no room. Fortunately, there was a guy on the other side of the rack and he moved his bike for me. I didn't mention how I knocked a bunch of bikes down in the last race...bet they would have left me some room had they known that!! LOL Anyway, the guy move his bike and gave me some room. I guess this is one time that it was really convenient to actually have a kickstand!

Took my socks off for the run as they were saturated. I pinned my race number on my shirt as I walked out. It wasn't hard since I was walking. Don't think I could have done it if I was running. The race belt that I wore last time was just not comfortable...not yet at least.
What would you do differently?:

It was all good!
Run
  • 1h 02m 38s
  • 3 miles
  • 20m 53s  min/mile
Comments:

Well, I started walking and my legs felt pretty darn good, so I decided to run a little. That didn't last very long, maybe 30 seconds! My HR was in the 170's there was no way I could bring it up another 20 or so beats per minute. I walked the whole rest of the way. My HR never came back down, even though I felt good otherwise the whole time.

There was a girl that I talked to on the beach before the race, and she and I were the 2 obvious Athena's. She races a lot and was there racing with her father, brother, and BIL. Just after the turn around, I saw a man walking up to me. It was her father coming to walk the rest of the course with me. He said, "my daughter said you were really nice and I thought I would come walk with you". Just after the 2 mile mark, her BIL met up and walked with us, then my friend Jan and the other Athena. We walked together, until the end when they let me finish by myself.


What would you do differently?:

I think my HR was up for 2 reasons. First, I think I am still in the phase of building my aerobic base and I really need to get to using the HR monitor and training in specific zones. I wonder if often I am keeping my rate too low during training. Second, the heat, the heat, THE HEAT!! I live and race in south GA/north FL, and I just need to get over it and do what it takes to adjust to the heat. That is one variable that is not going to change, therefore, I need to.
Post race
Warm down:

Some light stretching and some Recoverite. I am now really a beliver in recovery drinks.

I missed the awards ceremony, I was still on the run course. My dh said that when they anounced the Athena division, they announced me as 2nd place and the guy said, "she's still out there, but she's on the way"! How cool is that, to win before you even finish...come to think of it, I don't think they had to give me a medal for me to know that.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Overall conditioning

Event comments:

So, even though I was DFL, there were only 2 Athenas, so I won a medal...again! How crazy is that!

The race officals were so amazing and so nice, I just can't say enough nice things about them.

I had some serious anxiety going into this race, about my self and wether or not I was "worthy". It seemed like it was one thing to finish one, but to finish 2 was a whole different thing. I slayed some demons today and that is always a good thing!

I think that the biggest accomplishment for me, this race, is my friend Jan. When I asked her about doing a tri she lasughed and said no way. Then I told her about the "non-Ironman" distances, and that I was doing a sprint. She started swimming and joined the Master's program that I'm in, she now has done her first tri, and is planning to get a road bike so she can start training for her next...now that's what I'm talking about!! That's a good day...




Last updated: 2005-08-01 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:14:02 | 400 meters | 03m 31s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/2
Overall: 189/192
Performance: Bad
Anerobic the entire swim!
Suit:
Course: Upside down "U" shape. By the time our wave went off it was much longer of a swim than in the beginning.
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 86F / 30C Current: High
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Below average Drafting:
Waves: Good Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Below average
T1
Time: 04:03
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
00:55:28 | 10 miles | 10.82 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/2
Overall: 192/192
Performance: Average
Wind: Some
Course: Out and back course, most of it on a 2 lane highway
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:09
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal Average
Running
01:02:38 | 03 miles | 20m 53s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/2
Overall: 192/192
Performance: Below average
Hr 170's the entire time
Course: Out and back, with water at miles 1 and 2. No shade. It was the road that runs through the state park, going through the dunes.
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2005-08-08 7:12 AM

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3


2005-08-08 8:40 AM
in reply to: #219043

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Veteran
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Roseville, California
Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3

Congrats on a great race!!

Pam

2005-08-08 8:47 AM
in reply to: #219043

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Elite Veteran
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flatland
Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3
Congrats on your race! Great job! Are you going to be doing the September 10 race on Hilton Head?

Sympathies on the heat factor...ugh. We need more mid-winter races around here, that's for sure.
2005-08-08 11:22 AM
in reply to: #219043

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3

Madeye,

I am seriously looking at doing the race on Sept 10th.  I emailed the race director today to find out if there is a time cut-off since that will be the deal breaker for me!  I hope I get to do it.  It looks like it will be a lot of fun.

2005-08-08 1:45 PM
in reply to: #219043

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Elite
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20001000
Bay Area, CA
Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3

You are awesome!!! 

Possible reasons for the high HR on the run (from my own experience.)

(1) The heat. As an Athena, you'll be running in the heat that's for sure.  That could be the reason for the high HR - we plus size people work a lot harder to move fast in the heat than skinny people do - it's just a fact, but training in the heat will help you out in that area.

(2) It's race day!  My HR is always high by the time I get to the run, and I'm just trying to go as fast as I can to the finish.  I think it's partially adrenaline, partially that I've been working hard for a while, and partially the fact that running gets my HR up faster than anything else.  Tip:  Try to avoid looking at your HR monitor during the run - cause it will freak you out.  Just go by how you feel and go as fast as you can.

2005-08-09 10:43 AM
in reply to: #219043

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Veteran
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Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3
Awesome job!!!  Great report!


2005-08-09 7:36 PM
in reply to: #219043

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Master
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Southwest Chicago 'burbs
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3
Awesome race, Sherri!  I hope this dispels all the doubts that you had before the race... you are more than worthy of the "triathlete" moniker!!  Great job enduring the heat out there, too!
2005-08-10 6:37 AM
in reply to: #219043

Champion
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Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3
Great race Sherri. Congrats on a fine finish. You are enjoying yourself despite the waves, the heat, the high heart rate, and all the other things that seem to happen during a race. And to top it all off, you probably cannot imagine how great an inspiration and role model you are to your kids...how cool is that? When you're not around, they'll be bragging to their friends, "MY mom is a TRIATHLETE!"
2005-08-13 9:41 AM
in reply to: #219043

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Extreme Veteran
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Miami, FL
Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3
Hi Sherri.  Great job on the race!  Even though we chatted last Monday, I wanted to post here that I think you are so awesome!  The heat can be oppressive sometimes, and you pulled through it.  And the waves... clearly it separates the girls from the women, and sometimes the men.  Ha-ha!!!  Loved it that you left a couple of in shape guys behind.  You go girl! 
2005-08-15 11:33 AM
in reply to: #219043

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Champion
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Jacksonville Sprinit Series #3

GREAT race!

Way to persevere in tough conditions!

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