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Buffalo Triathlon - Sprint Distance - TriathlonSprint


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Buffalo, Minnesota
United States
Buffalo Triathlon
49F / 9C
Precipitation
Total Time = 1h 17m 21s
Overall Rank = 153/878
Age Group = 30-39 M
Age Group Rank = 25/96
Pre-race routine:

Given the later start time of this race (9am), I slept a normal night, woke up, and had my typical race day breakfast and coffee. Said bye to my kids (they are early risers) and hit the road. 45 min drive.
Event warmup:

Virtually none. Tried to stay warm. Caught up with old friends. This is a short course so I wasn't too stressed about warmups.... maybe I should be.
Swim
  • 07m 54s
  • 440 yards
  • 01m 48s / 100 yards
Comments:

I was pretty frustrated on this swim --- I could not find any space. Either the race was more crowded, or I hit a wave of people who were exactly my pace. I was in heavy traffic virtually the entire race.
What would you do differently?:

Break to the inner or outer edge and get a little space, and get a better stroke going.
Transition 1
  • 04m 4s
Comments:

I really need work on this transition. It has never been good but this one was awful. There should easily be a minute that I can shave off here. Main problems were getting the first leg out of my wetsuit, and getting my Garmin watch on while shaking.
What would you do differently?:

Consider not using the GPS watch for the ride, and practice this transition.
Bike
  • 40m 42s
  • 13 miles
  • 19.16 mile/hr
Comments:

Felt that the bike went OK but not great, but when I saw my overall rank of 131 I realize that I did pretty well for me. I think given conditions -- wind and some mist -- everyone was a little slow today. Overall, my goal was to leave it all on the bike. I didn't do that, because again I couldn't get out of the traffic very well. At about mile 9 I finally felt that I could open it up a little more.
What would you do differently?:

Need to keep hitting the bike training hard. But overall, I felt this was a solid bike.
Transition 2
  • 01m 38s
Comments:

Decent transition. I spent an extra 10-15 seconds going back for a shot of gatorade after I had already taken a few steps away. I knew I needed a drink since I didn't take any on the bike.
Run
  • 23m 5s
  • 3 miles
  • 07m 41s  min/mile
Comments:

I've flirted with an 8 minute mile in a race many times, but this is the first time I broke through it with any type of certainty. Felt great. As a Clydesdale, if I can run sub-8's, I'm perfectly happy. Racing 10 lbs lighter this year and it made a huge difference in my pace.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. Great run for me.
Post race
Warm down:

Chatted with friends.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Inability to get away from crowds in swim and bike.

Event comments:

Racing 10 lbs lighter is making a nice difference in my bike and especially my run pace. Next race is the long course at Heart of the Lakes, which will be at the longer end of my ability level but I'm looking forward to it.

This is a well-organized race and it has a high energy level. Definately a premier event. I hate to critique any race because I truly appreciate people putting them on -- I know how much work it involves. But my only feedback is that perhaps they need to cap the participation at a slightly lower number. During the entire swim and much of the bike, I just couldn't get any space... this is a crowded race.

But it is well organized, and I'd much rather race in a crowd than not race at all!




Last updated: 2009-06-07 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:07:54 | 440 yards | 01m 48s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/96
Overall: 203/878
Performance: Average
Suit: full
Course: Short course, and on a warmer day I would even consider not doing a wetsuit given the shortish distance.
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 67F / 19C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 04:04
Performance: Bad
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
00:40:42 | 13 miles | 19.16 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/96
Overall: 131/878
Performance: Good
Wind: Some
Course: Great course... nice rollers but nothing extreme. One rough spot.
Road: Rough  Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 01:38
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:23:05 | 03 miles | 07m 41s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/96
Overall: 243/878
Performance: Good
Course: Nice course along the lake. Out and back, gradual incline/decline but no major hills. Narrow at times.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2009-06-07 3:46 PM

Expert
638
50010025
Subject: Buffalo Triathlon - Sprint Distance


2009-06-08 8:49 AM
in reply to: #2200353

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Champion
10020
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Buffalo Triathlon - Sprint Distance

Nice!  Your bike was especially awesome, athough you did great overall.  I am sure you'll do well at HOLT.  It will probably at least be warm   The swim is really nice there, although the waves are similar in size.

And I totally understand the desire to leave a race early, for any reason.  I packed up early too and that's when I realized how much of a struggle it is for the slower Oly racers.  Of course, if I were a slow Oly racer (and I am), I wouldn't choose Buffalo!  Your note actually reminded me of another grievance - the crazy amount of fencing.  Couldn't they have one little side entrance to the T area?  Everyone ended up going over the fence anyway.  Why not just make a little gate or something?  

2009-06-09 9:14 AM
in reply to: #2200353

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Elite
2515
2000500
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Subject: RE: Buffalo Triathlon - Sprint Distance
Well, isn't it a small world, Paul? I finally put two and two together and figured out that you're Eric's friend from college and that I chatted with you for a long time on Sunday morning. If it hadn't been so dang cold you'd have seen I was wearing a BT tri top and we probably would have figured it out then.

Nice race! Seems as though those 10 pounds really did make a difference for you. And next time, you better have that finishing kick so you can beat Eric. I had to listen to him gloat about it all the way home.

I agree on the swim. This was easily the roughest one I've had in any race. It was pretty much constant contact until about the last stretch. Not very fun at all.
2009-06-09 12:14 PM
in reply to: #2200353

Expert
638
50010025
Subject: RE: Buffalo Triathlon - Sprint Distance
Unbelievable! It is a small world!

Yep, Eric caught and passed me in the final 1/2 mile. I thought I had him beat when I was ahead of him at the turnaround and then actually INCREASED my pace for the remainder of the race. Evidently, those marathons have given him a nice finishing kick!

Sorry I didn't hang around afterward. My son's little league was a 'callin.

Great meeting you, and see you at HOTL if not before.
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