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Chisago Lakes Triathlon - Half Iron Course - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Chisago City, Minnesota
United States
Midwest Sports Events
90F / 32C
Sunny
Total Time = 6h 10m 19s
Overall Rank = 364/528
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 57/73
Pre-race routine:

Can we say, "Last Minute?" Saturday afternoon, as I was getting ready to put my bike on the trainer for some time in the A/C a friend called to say they had a voucher for half off the registration and was I interested? I had already done a hot 4 mile run and 3000 in the pool that morning, sure, why the heck not!? So I called all around creation trying to find a hotel room, ran around house like a crazy person to find all my stuff and got in the car to head out. Got to the hotel around 11:30, woke up about 4:15am. Left my two Ensure's in the hotel room fridge, but had two clif bars and some Gatorade on the way to the race. Got registered by 6:20, transition closed at 6:45 and race started at 7:00. I gotta tell you, signing up last minute for this race was great, because although it put me in the last swim wave it also put me on a transition rack that was half empty, spots reserved for other onsite registrants.
Event warmup:

None, after getting my transition spot set up I barely had time to get my wetsuit on and get wet before my wave went out.
Swim
  • 35m 13s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 40s / 100 yards
Comments:

The swim felt really good, within 500 yards I was well in the lead for my heat and was already catching the heat before us. So I can't explain my 35 minute swim time. I believe what happened is my timing chip must not have registered correctly going into transition, so they just gave me a 1 minute transition and figured the rest was my swim. I felt it was a slow transition, so I probably spent at least 2-3 minutes in there.
What would you do differently?:

Don't know what to say, I felt like I had to have been out of the water in 30 minutes, I guess not.
Transition 1
  • 01m
Comments:

Long run from water to transition up some crazy steep grass hill. I wasn't moving too fast, but felt I was at least efficient about getting through there. I've really minimized my transition area to the bare essentials, shoes are pre-clipped and everything else is on the bike, so all I need to do is put on my helmet and sunglasses, race belt with number, grab the bike and go.
What would you do differently?:

Get better and running faster out of the water and through the transition, then let my heart rate come down on the first couple miles of the bike.
Bike
  • 2h 59m 2s
  • 56 miles
  • 18.77 mile/hr
Comments:

Bike felt alright, but I definitely ran out of steam by the last 10-15 miles. I went out at a great relaxed pace and with the wind I was able to average 21-22 mph for the first 15-20 miles. Then the rollers and the climb away from the river around mile 29 hit me hard. I couldn't keep up my speed through the end, party because I was getting tired and partly because I wanted to save at least something for the run.
What would you do differently?:

Going to get some more miles in on the bike over the next month so I can shave a few minutes off this time, then have more in the tank for the run.
Transition 2
  • 01m 55s
Comments:

I was mostly happy with this transition. I had a big win going in, there was another rider who I leapfrogged with the entire bike route. I actually saw them (very noticeable kineseotape on one leg) getting out of the water with me, then we passed each other at least 8-10 times on the bike. As I rolled up to the dismount line they were there getting unclipped and off their bike. Since I was on top of my shoes I was able to hop off the bike without missing a beat and got over the timing mat first. Win!
What would you do differently?:

Get faster at putting on socks and getting into shoes. I didn't want to run barefoot for 13 miles.
Run
  • 2h 33m 9s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 11m 41s  min/mile
Comments:

This is where, as usual, I fell apart. My plan was to just try and run even 10-11 minute miles. That lasted about 4 miles after which I ran/walked the rest of the way. I was battling some dehydration and the heat/sun hit hard by mile 5. You're kind of screwed when you start getting dehydrated. I wanted to just guzzle down gatorade and water, but was afraid to become a bloated, sloshy mess trying to run with a stomach full of fluids.
What would you do differently?:

Get more long runs in, get stronger on the bike.
Post race
Warm down:

Ice bath and lots of walking around.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

This was purely a last minute, training race. I didn't even get close to a proper taper for this race and my stress level was high that evening and morning before the race trying to get registered and into transition in time. I'm glad I did this however. My goal is to break 6 hours, I was only 10 minutes off that and now I know exactly what I have to do over the next month to get ready for my "A" HIM.

Event comments:

This was a great race and I would do it again for sure. I felt there were plenty of water stations, and although they didn't have quite enough nutrition (no fruit or salty snacks) there was everything I needed. This was fun and I might do it again next year, maybe this time with a little more advanced notice.




Last updated: 2012-07-22 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:35:13 | 2112 yards | 01m 40s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/73
Overall: 0/528
Performance:
Suit: Xterra Vector Pro X3
Course: Large triangle, clockwise.
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 78F / 26C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 01:00
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
02:59:02 | 56 miles | 18.77 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/73
Overall: 0/528
Performance: Average
Wind: Little
Course: One big loop all over the place.
Road: Smooth  Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:55
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Average
Running
02:33:09 | 13.1 miles | 11m 41s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/73
Overall: 0/528
Performance: Below average
Course: Out and back on County Roads and a few neighborhoods.
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Below average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2012-07-23 1:39 PM

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Expert
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Alexandria, MN
Subject: Chisago Lakes Triathlon - Half Iron Course


2012-07-23 2:14 PM
in reply to: #4325961

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Maple Grove, MN
Subject: RE: Chisago Lakes Triathlon - Half Iron Course
Andy,

That's a pretty good HIM for a last minute thing. You kicked the swim and bike. Did you wear a heartstrap? I'd be curious to compare my heart data with yours.
2012-07-23 2:44 PM
in reply to: #4325961

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Master
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Subject: RE: Chisago Lakes Triathlon - Half Iron Course
A last minute HIM?! That's crazy...and awesome. Nice job.

The heat was killer out there. Way to endure.
2012-07-25 1:09 AM
in reply to: #4325961

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Master
1609
1000500100
Gold Coast Australia.
Subject: RE: Chisago Lakes Triathlon - Half Iron Course
Great race Andy, congratulations! I can only imagine if it were not a last minute HIM... Great job!
2012-07-25 11:34 AM
in reply to: #4329134

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Champion
10019
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Chisago Lakes Triathlon - Half Iron Course
Last minute HIM - insane! That definitely earns you some serious hard core tough guy points.
2012-07-25 4:20 PM
in reply to: #4325961

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Expert
1544
100050025
Alexandria, MN
Subject: RE: Chisago Lakes Triathlon - Half Iron Course
Thanks everyone!  The biggest win of the day was taking over an hour off my previous HIM time from Austin, TX last fall.  It's amazing what a proper amount of training will do, eh?


2012-07-26 8:56 AM
in reply to: #4325961

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Veteran
520
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Chisago Lakes Triathlon - Half Iron Course
Very cool!
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