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OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008 - TriathlonOlympic


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Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Triathlon Association
20C / 68F
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 34m
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = F35-39
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Took taxi to City Hall. Met with other athletes who signed up for transportation at 5am. Bikes in cargo trucks. Athletes on coach buses. All shipped to the Disneyland in Hong Kong. Ate PB sandwich and 1/2 grapefruit in the bus, then dozed off. Arrived at 5:45. Saw a shooting star. Felt like a good luck.
Set up transition, and jogged around a bit. Ate a gel. Didn't have a race belt (I have 3 in Boston, didn't pack any with me). Decided to pin it on my tri top.

HK race officials are very strict. They would disqualify a swimmer if he was caught swimming inside the buoys. BIB must be visible on your back when biking and must be in the front when running, otherwise penalty. So before the swim I pinned the bib on my back.
Event warmup:

Jogged around transition, stretched.
10 min before my wave I jummped in the water, swam a bit, then tread water for a good 5 min before start. Water was comfortable.
Swim
  • 41m 1s
  • 1500 meters
  • 02m 44s / 100 meters
Comments:

Clear sky = good sighting. Gentle wave = good breathing. Seawater = good bouyancy and source of electrolytes.

Race started at the lowest tide when the current started to come in. Felt the current against me on the first leg out. 90° turn, current pushed me sideways. Tried to round the bouys as close as possible while keeping them to my left (DQ if caught swimming inside the bouys - lots of volunteers on kayaks watching).
Another 90° turn swimming with the current. Drafted off a guy for a while until he switched to breaststroke and kicked me on my waist.
90° back to the start line for the next lap.

18 min to complete a lap - too slow. Pushed on the 2nd lap out. Current effect pretty strong in all 3 sides of the rectangle except on the way back. At a buoy turn some guy grabbed my shoulder and pushed me under water. I shouted "DUDE!". Pushed even more on the way back with the aide of the current back to pier.
What would you do differently?:

Slowest swim, but couldn't do much against current
Transition 1
  • 08m 45s
Comments:

Not easy to pull myself up the pier at low tide. Volunteers busy pulling others but not me. Felt disoriented. Almost fell back into the sea. Walked crossed legs up the stairs, regained balance and started jogging. Saw my old schoolmate (he was doing the sprint, waiting by the pier for his start). Check bib - still on my back. Ran bare feet for almost 4 min to TA. Easy to put on socks and bike shoes on semi dried feet from the long run. Helmet on, glasses on - the standard moves.

Pushed bike out - over 3 minutes of running with the bikes, on cleats.


What would you do differently?:

This question should be "What would THEY do differently?". I would suggest shorten the transition run.
Bike
  • 1h 21m 51s
  • 40 kms
  • 29.32 km/hr
Comments:

Not familiar with the bike - only rode it once a week before. Glad it fits. It's a good looking yellow Cannondale. No bike computer. No mile marker.

Ate a gel right after mounting. Drank every 15 min. Hot. Saw lots of confusion - the sprint bike course overlaps part of the oly course. Oly course has a 3-loop repeat. Athletes kept asking questions. Lots of volunteers around.

In the 3-loop repeat there was a stray dog playing dodge with the bikers. Almost ran into my front wheel. Yelled "NO!!!!" Dog change direction. Heard another voice "get out of here", then another voice "hey!!!" and so on. Volunteers tried to catch the dog but it's in the middle of the race. Still there when I did the 2nd loop. Didn't see it on the 3rd. The hair-pin turn was tough. Slowed way down to avoid crashing into railing, then immediately followed by an upward slope.

The bike leg felt quick. 3-loop repeats then back to Disney.

If the mileage was right, then I had a PB on the bike leg. Need to confirm with official results.
What would you do differently?:

do better in turning/cornering
Transition 2
  • 08m 3s
Comments:

Very long walk after dismount. Jelly legs. Fighting not to fall. Finished the remaining water in my bottle while walking the bike back to rack.
Run
  • 1h 14m 65s
  • 10 kms
  • 07m 31s  min/km
Comments:

Hell. Pan-fry. Very slow run. Personal worst.

No mile marker. Walked a lot on the first loop. Water station spacing wasn't ideal - a long stretch without station and a couple were close together. Kept pouring water over body. Saw my sprint friend heading to the finish. Feet felt like boiling - had the imagination of smoke coming off when I take of my shoes. Try to think of silly things to pass the time. Maintained a jogging motion toward the finish.
What would you do differently?:

Should have grabbed a gel to eat on the run. They only provide water.
Post race
Warm down:

Crossed finish line, got finisher's medal, tried not to fall.
Saw friend and his friends. Hung out with them and chat. Friend lives pretty close to my parents' and he gave me a ride home.


What limited your ability to perform faster:

Heat.

Event comments:

A race in a different country where tri isn't a popular sports - I don't expect high levels of organization, and it's not fair to compare the events with those I attended in the US. I have to say I am pleased to see lots of people helping and racing.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2008-09-25 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:41:01 | 1500 meters | 02m 44s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Suit: too warm - wetsuit not allowed
Course: 2 rectangular laps beside the pier. Current coming in.
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 20C / 68F Current: Medium
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Average
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 08:45
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:21:51 | 40 kms | 29.32 km/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Wind:
Course: Out the park to main road, then along the highway access roads, over and under passes. All gentle hills and false flats. HK is very compact so part of the course was 3 loops from "point C to point D", which involved a hair-pin turn and a 90° turn - have to do them 3 times. There are volunteers marking the athletes' number to make sure we complete 3 loops, otherwise DQ.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering: Below average
Gear changes: Average Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 08:03
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
01:14:65 | 10 kms | 07m 31s  min/km
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Course: In Disney, part of it along the shore overlooking the swim course. VERY HOT.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
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? No
Post race activities: Below average
Race evaluation [1-5] 2

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2008-11-17 11:08 AM

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Pro
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Subject: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008


2008-11-17 5:28 PM
in reply to: #1812393

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Frugal Gear Geek
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having fun with the kids
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
Not sure I would have thought not to try and compare races in different countries to a different standard. I guess all things are relative.
2008-11-17 7:02 PM
in reply to: #1812393

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Champion
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Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
Hey DK Nice race   I hope you ahd fun despite all the issues
2008-11-17 7:56 PM
in reply to: #1812393

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Master
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CT
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008

Pretty cool to do race in a different country I'd say.

And you got through it in spite of the difficulties!

Great job Denise!

2008-11-18 12:00 AM
in reply to: #1812393

Champion
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Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008

Hey that sounds like it's pretty cool.  You finished, that's the important part.  I still can't figure out the run pace with km though...it's all messed up to me.  At least the bike is easy, sounds like about 18+ mph, thats a good average!

 

2008-11-18 7:52 AM
in reply to: #1812393

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Champion
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Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008

Nice race DK!

It is cool that you were able to do it while visiting home and hooking up with some friends that do tris and being able to find a bike to use.

PB on the bike rocks! 

Very neat to do a tri in a different place..interesting how they handle things slightly differently.



2008-11-18 8:32 AM
in reply to: #1812393

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Coach
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Boston, MA
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
nice race and way to go enjoying the experience
2008-11-18 12:31 PM
in reply to: #1812393

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Expert
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acton, Ma
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
Congratulations!  Sounds like an adventure!
2008-11-19 7:50 AM
in reply to: #1812393

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Extreme Veteran
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Waterboro, Maine
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
What an experience!  I am sure you parents and friends are proud of you.  You will never look at that area the same again.  Swimming in that tide!
2008-11-19 10:50 AM
in reply to: #1812393

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Expert
1152
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wrightsville beach, North Carolina
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
Sure sounds like a challenging race. lots of adversity that you overcame. Plus the satisfaction  of having done a race in your home area.  congrats!!!
2008-11-19 1:07 PM
in reply to: #1812393

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Master
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Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
Fun adventure- jelly legs means you gave it your best too...Enjoy theR&R now..come home rested!


2008-11-19 6:03 PM
in reply to: #1812393

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Expert
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SF-Bay Area
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
good job!
2008-11-19 9:40 PM
in reply to: #1812393

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Master
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Canandaigua
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
Sweet race.  To think I thought a big deal to do the Mooseman.  Congrates on PR bike.  Swimming against current is tough.  Since I am alway screwing up my bib I'd be DQ'ed quick.  Sorry about the heat.  Tough running.
2008-11-20 11:28 AM
in reply to: #1812393

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Champion
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New York, NY
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008

How cool to be able to compare races across countries!!!

 

good job - in hot weather!!!

2009-04-08 7:59 AM
in reply to: #1812393

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Expert
757
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Florida
Subject: RE: OSIM Hong Kong Triathlon ITU Asian Cup 2008
nice DK!
good to know they have races there if we head out east
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