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I Love the Tavern - Triathlon


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Richmond, Virginia
United States
Richmond Multisports
80sF / 0C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 05m 31s
Overall Rank = 101/138 F
Age Group = 35-39F
Age Group Rank = 21/27
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 5 am, ate my Cliff MOJO bar and started drinking my diet Pepsi...wrote a couple of posts...packed up the car and headed out. On the way down, my bike got a little funky in the trunk rack, but all was good.
Event warmup:

Walked from the parking to the transition zone (about 0.25 miles), got my transition set up and then went off to find Jen...finished my double-fist of diet Pepsi...looked for Judi...used the ladies (I stood in line for the flush potties...it was shorter than the port-a-potties...but it ran out of TP - thankfully the guys kept bringing it over in 10 square increments.
Swim
  • 23m 51s
  • 750 meters
  • 03m 11s / 100 meters
Comments:

This is my first successful OWS. Even though I pretty much sucked, I'm so happy with my performance. When I was calm, I was able to swim freestyle - no problem.

Unfortunately, there were a couple of things that did not make me calm - but let's start with the good stuff.

THINGS I THOUGHT WOULD BOTHER ME:
1) Deep water. Nope - I don't need to touch the bottom; I can swim.
2) Dirty water. No problem. In fact, when I was in the groove, it was actually pretty peaceful.

THINGS THAT DID BOTHER ME:
1) The man having the seizure. It was a deep water start, so I waited a bit before joining my wave because I didn't want to tread. When I got about half-way out to the start buoy, I realized everyone was signalling for help because a man in the waive prior needed medical attention. This of course got me very nervous and also made our start later, which meant more treading, which meant more nerves. I hope the man is OK - I never heard more about him. But - this is probably not something that will happen in my next race.
2) Inefficient sighting - when I sight, I get out of my groove and it stalls me a bit
3) Touching other swimmers - yeah...I know.

BUT - this was a success. I did not kayak/buoy hang. I did not panic. There were 3 occasions when I got a little off-kilter, but I flipped to my back, took a couple deep breaths, and flipped back over. All of these were in the first 200m - after that, and all the way to the end, I swam.
What would you do differently?:

Well, I need to get better at sighting. I'm OK with that. I should probably get better at swimming in proximity with other folks. Then I wouldn't need to back off.

Yes - I need to practice this more, but I no longer think that OWS is a limiter in and of itself. :) Which is why I rank this swim as AWESOME.
Transition 1
  • 02m 49s
Comments:

This transition included a fairly long run from the river to the T zone. I brought my flipflops to avoid the little gravel...maybe a little faster without them? I also took a moment to compose myself and put my Shot Blox in my pocket (didn't want them to get sticky in the swim).
What would you do differently?:

Maybe skip the flipflops?
Bike
  • 1h 08m 44s
  • 18.8 miles
  • 16.41 mile/hr
Comments:

I felt good about the bike. I would have liked to see an avg mph above 17, but I'll take it. This course seemed to be uphill out, downhill back - with one killer-beeyotch hill at the turnaround. After the swim, I didn't really feel settled until about mile 4. Some of this may be due to the slight up hill of the course...downhill felt wonderful. I ended up walking maybe 0.2 up the hill because I was afraid I was going too slow to stay upright. No biggie - got right back on and to the turnaround. Slow at the turnaround, because they had to mark your arm and because it was a tight turn (and the chic in front of me was babying it...grr...that's OK, because I passed her like a demon on the downhill - I hit 38mph - rock on!) Felt awesome from that point forward...it actually got fun.

16 oz nuun, 3 shot blox on the bike. Marg flavor for the salt. Yum!

What would you do differently?:

Figure out how to get my self calm faster...once I was in the groove, I really enjoyed the bike, but it took me almost a quarter of the bike to get there.
Transition 2
  • 01m 14s
Comments:

No problem in T2. Changed shoes and hats, grabbed a GU and off I went.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. T2 is my best event. :)
Run
  • 28m 55s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 09m 18s  min/mile
Comments:

I love me some running. :) Why can't a triathlon be 3 running events? (Or as Jen and I were talking...why isn't there a bike-run division? Oh, yeah - that would be a duathlon.)

I enjoyed the run. Saw Jen & Judi (apparently I had passed Judi on the bike and missed her.) Felt good. Felt fast. Felt strong.
What would you do differently?:

Run faster?
Post race
Warm down:

Since I had passed Jen & Judi on the run, I knew I was the first Nibb in, so I grabbed some BBQ and went to the finish line to cheer for them and the other finishers. Hung out with them for a while, called Sugar Daddy to tell him I wasn't still in the river and that I would be signing up for the Oly. :) Went home and crashed.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I need to work on my swim...mostly comfort and sighting...but I know now that I can do it.

I need to work on my bike...mostly getting my groove on earlier (oh, and not walking up beeyotch hills)

I need to work on my run...because I love love love running.

Event comments:

I have basically decided to avoid any Richmond Multisport productions in the future. I hate RMS. Sorry. It's true. The race itself is usually well done. In fact, I thought the volunteers on this course were fantastic - thanks to the Powhatan police guys and the little guys in the woods pointing directions on the run - you guys were great. However, the pre-race and the post-race blow chunks.

Here are my gripes:
1) It took over 24 hours to post results for a teeny-tiny race.
2) They never have enough beverages for the later finishers...I took the last diet Coke. Judi & Jen could only get water.
3) They are very much in love with themselves - the door prizes are based on tri-trivia about RMS or the Richmond Tri-Club or Tri-Girls training. They don't seem to be interested in racers that aren't members of these organizations.
4) The pre-race meeting was kind of silly and too much time was spent on inside jokes.
5) They didn't do a good job of responding to the calls from my wave of swimmers about the guy who needed aid.
6) They have never had a working megaphone.
7) Packet pickup is usually a screw-up.
8) The shirts this year are butt-ugly.

OK, I'm done venting. Sorry.





Last updated: 2008-04-26 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:23:51 | 750 meters | 03m 11s / 100meters
Age Group: 25/27
Overall: 131/138 F
Performance: Good
Suit: Zoot/GU tri suit (2pc)
Course: A funky triangle...450m parallel to the shore against the current (which was negligible), then around a buoy and diagonal 300m back to shore.
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 85F / 29C Current: Low
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting: Bad
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:49
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
01:08:44 | 18.8 miles | 16.41 mile/hr
Age Group: 22/27
Overall: 100/138 F
Performance: Average
Wind: Little
Course: Out and back, a giant L shape. Rolling hills, mostly up on the way out & down on the way back. One enormous hill right before the turn-around. A fairly tight turn-around (and needed to get marked at the turn)...so it was slow.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering:
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:14
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:28:55 | 03.11 miles | 09m 18s  min/mile
Age Group: 18/27
Overall: 76/138 F
Performance: Good
Course: Interesting run course - 80% or so on trails, the rest on city streets. Good directions, good aid stations. Mostly flat.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? No
Events on-time? No
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Bad
Race evaluation [1-5] 2

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2008-06-30 1:01 PM

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Champion
6107
50001000100
Out running or enjoying a fine glass of red...
Subject: I Love the Tavern


2008-06-30 1:08 PM
in reply to: #1499300

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Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

Great job on the race and mostly the OWS!!!  I'm looking forward to Patriot's. 

I'll be happy to help you get used to swimming around lots of people at any point.  I'm good at grabbing ankles. 

I'm also really annoyed at RMS.  Not sure if I want to do any more of their races, even though I really like this one.  Personally, this is one of my favorite race shirts.  It's so soft!  And I like black.

2008-06-30 1:18 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Iron Donkey
38643
50005000500050005000500050002000100050010025
, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

Not a good sign when the support team is not quick to respond.

Diet Coke in the morning?  Isn't that a little upsetting in the tum-tum before a race?

Nice job, Nibber!

2008-06-30 1:24 PM
in reply to: #1499300

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Pro
4343
2000200010010010025
Olney, MD
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Congrats on your first OWS triathlon! Wow, an Oly; that's on my agenda for next year, if I can handle the running.
2008-06-30 1:45 PM
in reply to: #1499300

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Elite
4148
2000200010025
Utah
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

Nice Job!!!!

guess I should consider myself lucky to have the need of a wetsuit out here... I'll just get to float on any deep water starts (though I think b/c of the need for the wetsuit we don't have many starts like that)

2008-06-30 1:52 PM
in reply to: #1499300

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Master
1980
1000500100100100100252525
Waukesha, WI
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Great job on that tri and especially the swim.  Funny thing these tri's do to our brains.  You feel great after you do one, maybe even invincible, so you go ahead an sign up for the next tri at a greater distance.  I had that great feeling after my last tri and have switched a sprint in August to an Oly.  My original plan for an Oly was for next summer. 


2008-06-30 2:20 PM
in reply to: #1499300

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MotoQueen
13195
5000500020001000100252525
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Great job on the race and times. And now that you have an OWS under you, the next will be easier.
2008-06-30 2:56 PM
in reply to: #1499559

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-06-30 3:22 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Veteran
290
100100252525
Texas
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Nice race.  WTG!
2008-06-30 3:59 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Veteran
216
100100
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
woman you can sure RUN!  and i may i say that i barely recognize the swim-phobic kristen of times gone by, so glad to see her go and this confident swimmer emerge YEAH YOU!  the bike rocked as well!  good luck on the OLY you will rock it too!
2008-06-30 5:32 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Royal(PITA)
14270
50005000200020001001002525
West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Very nice job out there!  Yeah, you were the first Nibbs in but we all know it's cause you run like the wind!


2008-06-30 5:36 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Master
1888
1000500100100100252525
Winder, GA
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

Way to go! I knew you could do it! Way to conquer the OWS and you'll be ready to rock your next race. (again!) I don't think I could comfortably and effectively sight until my second season so it doesn't always come easy. Now you just need to find some other big hills and practice so next time you can make hills your beotch.

You did it, congrats!

2008-06-30 5:37 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Master
1567
10005002525
Kauai, Hawaii
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Great job! Glad you liked your swim! Pretty crazy someone having a seizure! I really haven't seen a shirt I liked yet, I am still waiting on that. Enjoyed reading your RR!
2008-06-30 6:11 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Elite
3020
20001000
Bay Area, CA
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

You did GREAT!

Sighting - you'll get better it just takes practice.

Being touched - well, that happens too - my problem is when it's not accidental.

I always have a hard time settling into the bike as well, it's like I feel out of breath for the first couple of miles for some reason.  

You did great!

As far as not liking the race organization - that bites.  I hate it when they don't have food etc. for the last people in.  They know how many people signed up - right?

2008-06-30 7:20 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Pro
4507
20002000500
Simpsonville, SC
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Yay for conquering demons on the OWS. Someone seizing would freak me out, too. As for touching other swimmers, the more OWS you do, the less this will bother you. Terrific bike and fantastic run! Congrats on a great race.
2008-06-30 8:51 PM
in reply to: #1499300

TinkerBeth
23096
500050005000500020001000252525
Liverpool, New York
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

WTG Kristen!!!!

you did great in the swim!  now that you have done it, you know you can do it again and you will just keep getting stronger

Great race! 



2008-06-30 9:00 PM
in reply to: #1500414

Champion
23360
5000500050005000200010001001001002525
Taser-World
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
YAY! YOU DID THE SWIM! Well, and the bike and the run too, of course. But we KNEW you could do those -- And you didn't freak out on the swim. (Especially with the touchy-feely people next to you AND the person who had the seizure.) I repeat: YAY!



Edited by D001 2008-06-30 9:00 PM
2008-07-01 10:43 AM
in reply to: #1499300

Expert
986
500100100100100252525
Michiana
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Nicely done.  Congrats on your conquest of the OWS.   Sighting and feeling comfortable swimming in a crowd take quite a bit of work to get down.  My sighting is much improved after a few OWS races.  The comfort in a crowd thing still is a demon for me.
2008-07-01 10:43 AM
in reply to: #1499300

Expert
986
500100100100100252525
Michiana
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Nicely done.  Congrats on your conquest of the OWS.   Sighting and feeling comfortable swimming in a crowd take quite a bit of work to get down.  My sighting is much improved after a few OWS races.  The comfort in a crowd thing still is a demon for me.
2008-07-01 1:36 PM
in reply to: #1499300

Expert
902
500100100100100
Wylie, TX
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Great job Hawkette! Your swimming sure has come a long way and it will only get better. Eventually, you will find that you do not need to site forward nearly as much as you think you do. Just look for the other swim caps when you turn to breathe. Let them do the navigation. What is the deal with marking the arm at the bike turn around? Never heard of that before.
2008-07-03 5:55 AM
in reply to: #1499300

Champion
7163
500020001002525
Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

What a great race you had!!  I can completely understand your swim comments, every one of them.  I give you credit for a deep water start.  I don't think I am up for that anytime soon.

By the way a run, run, run event is called a marathon.  Maybe that should be next on your list? Cool



2008-07-03 6:21 AM
in reply to: #1499300

Pro
4541
2000200050025
A farming town in MN
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

Kristen, fantastic race!

It was gracious for the guys to bring paper.

You really conquered this swim!   Jus the confidence you need for your Oly...and just think, after an Oly, a HIM swim isn't THAT much longer...

And...I thought I was the only one that used the term 'getting my groove on'...Mila thinks it's old-fashioned...

Congrats on a great race!

2008-07-03 11:13 AM
in reply to: #1499300

Master
1381
1000100100100252525
Clifton, NJ
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern

as someone who has struggled in the past with the swim portion of a triathlon - may i say i can totally relate to you and feel exhilarated for you about your AWESOME swim!

great job on the bike and run as well - the oly is goin' down!

2008-07-04 11:48 AM
in reply to: #1499300

Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: I Love the Tavern
Super congrats on a smashing first OWS! Super tri overall, sorry the race organization was carpy, but you yourself pulled off a great race.
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