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Gulf Coast Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Panama City, Florida
United States
Gulf Coast Triathlon
85F / 29C
Overcast
Total Time = 6h 44m 21s
Overall Rank = 1029/1312
Age Group = W30-34
Age Group Rank = 48/67
Pre-race routine:

Eat breakfast cookie, walk to the start, set up stuff. It was nice to be so close cause I didn't have to rush...
Event warmup:

Ummm, none...moved my arms a little I guess...too long of a race to warm up for...
Swim
  • 46m 29s
  • 2078 yards
  • 02m 14s / 100 yards
Comments:

UGH!! This was hard, I've never done an ocean water swim this hard before. The curent was pretty strong, and there were some huge waves (IMO). I fell as soon as the first wave hit me, it just knocked me backwards...then it took me a while to get past the breakers, my goggles kept filling with the salt water, which was annoying...finally got past that, then my spotting was just horrible...couldn't see the buoys so ended up spotting/breast stroking a lot just to see where I was going...then I kept going off course, I think it bowed outward, and I was going straight...so it was a constant zigzag, both out and back...when we were pretty far out, I felt stinging sensations on my face, and my leg...and spotted a jellyfish, but it didn't hurt that much...the most annoying thing was just that I couldn't spot anything...oh well...it was a good learning experience...
What would you do differently?:

Spot better, and learn to dive under the breakers...gotta practice before ironman!

On a really sad note, a triathlete names Patrick Kane died on the swim - just really sad, he had kids and a wife who were at the race...my best to his family:(
Transition 1
  • 03m 35s
Comments:

Great transition, everything went perfectly. I was 28 in age group for T1, gotta love that one, usually I'm the slowest...very cool:)
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, a great T1
Bike
  • 3h 14m 48s
  • 56 miles
  • 17.25 mile/hr
Comments:

The first part of the bike, I really enjoyed. I'd checked the weather report the night before, and knew when way the wind was coming from (SW) so I decided to absolutely crank it going North and East, and just do the best I could going South and West...and it worked! The first 3 miles or so were with the wind - as I was getting my legs back from the swim...then we turned into the wind, so I fought that until we turned North, then it was another tailwind, so I went into a harder gear and cranked it...over a pretty decent size bridge but I felt great on the bridge (thanks to all the spin classes I've been doing)...then we turned onto the long 2-lane road going east - an even stronger tailwind, and I hammered it at 20mph almost the whole way...I'd had such a hard week this past week, and I just had a huge grin on my face as I cranked it - just felt so strong (a very good feeling!!)...I loved that part of the bike, I took in lots of water, ate a Clif bar, had some clif blocks, felt like I had perfect nutrition...just was really enjoying myself...then I did the VERY SHARP (had to put my foot down it was so sharp) U-turn...avg was 18.3 at the U-turn...then the wall of wind hit me...for the next 15+ miles, it was all headwind, which was tough...but I just did it...counted down the miles, and realized that I wasn't feeling half bad...felt great coming back into the transition - on the longest bike ride I've ever done in my life!!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, I think that I handled this bike perfectly...I enjoyed myself, I took in food and water, my stomach felt great, was in a good mindset...I hope it is like this for Ironman!!
Transition 2
  • 02m 28s
Comments:

Great again! Went so smoothly, am thrilled...
What would you do differently?:

Forgot to take the Garmin off the bike before the dismount, so spent a few seconds getting that off in transition - other than that...nothing!
Run
  • 2h 37m 3s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 11m 59s  min/mile
Comments:

In my mind when I started running, I was thinking of all of these excuses to walk - but truthfully, I just wasn't feeling bad at all...so, I ran straight the first 2 miles...then walked ONLY the aid stations until mile 10...I even had people follow me, cause I was keeping a good pace...at mile 10, I started to get tired, took lots of cold sponges, and ice to crunch on, and a few bananas...nutrition again felt perfect...then I would take a break every 1/2 mile, walk for .1 miles, then keep running...the only annoying thing is that my Garmin was spot on with the mile markers for the entire race through mile 12...BUT, the last 1.1miles was actually like 1.4 miles...it was just crazy long (of course they have to make the last mile long - ugh!)...so, on my Garmin, I had 11:41min/mile...but here it says 12...ONLY because the last mile was long...
What would you do differently?:

Honestly, for me this was amazing, I felt so strong...I can't even describe...in November, when I started the marathon training plan, I couldn't even run 2 miles straight without stopping to walk...Matt told me to shoot for 12min/mile, but I never thought I could hold it for 13 miles...am excited to see if I can do the same for Ironman...wouldn't change a thing...it was so AWESOME!!
Post race
Warm down:

Matt thought I'd be a lot slower so I didn't see him when I was finishing, so I spent about 30 minutes trying to find him...eventually I did, we grabbed some pizza, took a shower, absolutely crashed in bed for a few hours, then got some dinner...

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Nothing - I did my absolute best, and exceeded all my expectations! My goal was 7 hours, and I didn't think I'd make that...but I bested it by 15 minutes - very cool:)

Event comments:

A great race, wonderful introduction to the longer distances!




Last updated: 2007-12-12 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:46:29 | 2078 yards | 02m 14s / 100yards
Age Group: 46/67
Overall: 0/1312
Performance: Bad
Suit: Desoto shorts and top
Course: bowed out three buoys to an orange bouy, then across, then bowed back to shore
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 75F / 24C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Bad Remainder: Bad
Breathing: Average Drafting:
Waves: Bad Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 03:35
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
03:14:48 | 56 miles | 17.25 mile/hr
Age Group: 49/67
Overall: 0/1312
Performance: Good
Wind: Some with gusts
Course: out to the right, then a quick U-turn, back to the left, turn North, over a bridge, then out on this 2 lane road, until a super sharp U-turn, then back to transition
Road: Rough  Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 02:28
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
02:37:03 | 13.1 miles | 11m 59s  min/mile
Age Group: 49/67
Overall: 0/1312
Performance: Good
Course: Out for 6 miles, a circle around a park, then back
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2008-05-11 5:25 PM

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Veteran
253
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Florida
Subject: Gulf Coast Triathlon


2008-05-11 6:56 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Elite
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
Awesome job Tonya.  Seems like you did a great job of sticking to your plan.  Thats not always easy.  Even though people same IMFL is the easier of the IMs because of the flatness, I don't want to deal with that water.  Good luck.
2008-05-11 7:12 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Expert
1049
100025
Jacksonville, FL
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
Great job. I bet the wind was really tough.
2008-05-11 7:19 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Master
2125
200010025
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
Great job.  The sun on the run was brutal.  You did great.
2008-05-11 8:58 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Master
2314
2000100100100
Gulf Shores, AL
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
Terrific job and a well executed plan. Congrats.
2008-05-11 10:01 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Expert
1117
1000100
Shalimar, FL
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
The temps were hot watching -- it must have been brutal during the run.  Great job!


2008-05-11 10:24 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Veteran
253
1001002525
Florida
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
I'm never hot...I grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, our car had no A/C and my dad had a comb-over (shhh, don't tell him I told you) - so he'd never roll down the windows ever...I'm cold if its 80, which is great for summer races, but makes me REALLY nervous for IMFL in November...I'll be fine if its hot, but if its cold...it'll be really tough for me...

BTW, did you guys see the wind out there this morning...I'm so happy the race was yesterday, honestly, I don't think I could have done the race if it had been today...that was just absolutely CRAZY wind - I'd have blown over!!
2008-05-12 7:01 AM
in reply to: #1395150

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Pro
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Woodstock,GA
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon

No kidding about the Sunday weather! I told Jonathan22 that we were lucky to have had the conditions that we had on Saturday.

 

Great job out there! Way to finish under absolutely brutal conditions.

2008-05-12 8:18 AM
in reply to: #1395150

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Extreme Veteran
527
50025
Jacksonville, FL
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
Congratulations!  That was one of the toughest tri swims I've seen...great job!
2008-05-12 9:12 AM
in reply to: #1395150

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Extreme Veteran
562
5002525
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
Congratulations Tonya!  Looks like a well executed race across the board. 
2008-05-12 1:33 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Master
2638
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Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
Your report was a joy to read. Congratulations on your great race!


2008-05-12 1:45 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Master
1404
1000100100100100
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
That's pretty amazing that you felt so good on the run. Obviously you had a great plan going into the race, stuck to it, and performed very well. Great Job. Keep on beating those expectations of yours. We define our limits.
2008-05-12 3:57 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Master
2479
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Atlanta, Georgia
Gold member
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
2008-05-12 5:07 PM
in reply to: #1395150

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Champion
7704
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Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon
GREAT JOB!! Sounds like a tough day out there
2008-05-16 9:17 AM
in reply to: #1395150

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Master
1978
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Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast Triathlon

I love that you had such an awesome enjoyable race.  You will LOVE IMFL...you've got the experience now!  Good advantage!!  Sorry about the trouble on the swim, but now you know what you gotta do!  Great day otherwise, so bigtime YAY for ya!! 

PS - ColdStone would have helped your swim time.    hehehehe

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