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Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic - TriathlonOlympic


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Dallas, Texas
United States
52F / 11C
Precipitation
Total Time = 4h 09m 52s
Overall Rank = 626/637
Age Group = Clyde Masters
Age Group Rank = 11/11
Pre-race routine:

Got packet and took bike to T1 on Saturday afternoon, per race requirements. Got to bed about 11:00PM. Awake at 2:00, up at 4:00 - ate some peanut butter and syrup and some english muffins. Put transition bag in the car and off to American Airlines Center (hereafter referred to AAC). It was 52 degrees and misty / drizzling. Set up T2 - decided to put my shoes and stuff in a plastic bag to hopefully keep them dry. Loaded onto the shuttle buss and off to the lake and T1. Finished setting up T1 then stand around and wait.
Event warmup:

Jogged a little (about half mile or so...) but cooled down again during the long wait to get in the water. I wish there had been a place to get in the water and swim before the start, but they only let the pros in. Most of warmup was taken very literally - huddled with the masses trying maintain some body heat.
Swim
  • 49m 11s
  • 1640 yards
  • 02m / 100 yards
Comments:

While waiting in the corral for the swim start, I remember that I forgot to take off my wedding ring - with the cold water it is coming off for sure... I unzip my wetsuit, put it in the little pocket inside and go to zip back up. I pull the zipper and the whole zipper piece comes off. A guy behind me tried to get it back together. He ended up getting it zipped up (mostly) but the zipper was pretty much locked down at that point.

On to the swim. Got going just fine, first 200yds or so was good stroke wise, then it started to go down hill. Water was seepign through into my googgles and the lake was choppy further out and it was pushing me around some. Add to that the fact that apparently I can not swim more than 3 strokes before I am serouisly headed in the wrong direction. The rest of the swim consisted of freestyle for a few strokes and then popping up to sight with breast stroke and then repeating.
What would you do differently?:

I was dissappointed in my swim, I know I was slow, but it ended up taking me about 15-20minutes longer to complete than I thought it would. 3:00/100 is not acceptable! I need swim lessons. I need OWS lessons as well...
Transition 1
  • 05m 50s
Comments:

Zipper completely stuck on wetsuit. Tried to unzip it, but the zipper just came off again. Was finally able to do the Arnold Schwarzennegger double biceps flex move to pop open the zipper in the back. Finally got out of wetsuit. Everything was wet so getting into the socks and two shirts (it was chilly...) took a second. Also had to pack everything into transition bag so it could be transported to finish line.
What would you do differently?:

Not have a wetsuit that breaks before the race... Also, I have only raced in warm weather - if I am going to race in cooler weather then I need some of those sleeve thingys or a jacket - that would have helped.
Bike
  • 1h 58m 52s
  • 24.85 miles
  • 12.54 mile/hr
Comments:

Can I say how bad the roads sucked? Dallas City government is a complete failure at maintaing roads - if I lived in the city I would be pi$$ed to pay taxes to drive on roads like that (much less bike).

Took me about two miles to start get comfortable on the bike. Felt pretty good coming across the dam. The short uphill was not bad. Downhill and around the corner was good. Then started the uphill. I was actually passing people going up the hill - I felt great! The hill work from the summer was paying off some! Chain droped on the way up - I put it back on and continued motoring up the hill at a stunning 8mph... At least I wasna't weaving around like some.

Started making good progress after the hill - I was going to be right on my 16-17mph pace goal...

Then it happened - about five miles out - the flat from hell... I wrestled with my tire in the wet and cold for 20 minutes if not a little longer. Hey guess what happens when you use CO2 in wet, misting, humid conditions? It freezes the stupid tool to the valve stem... I watched hordes of people pass me by... All could think of was the IM when Norman Stadler melted down... I am now solidily in the back of the pack... When I started riding again, I felt pretty strong (mostly due to the extended tire changing session...) although my lower back seemed to be tightening up.
What would you do differently?:

Not have a flat. I have practiced changing flats, but being on the course in bad conditions is not the same as changing the tire in the garage or front lawn. I hadn't practiced changing a tire since I got my new tires either - they were on much tighter than the last ones...
Transition 2
  • 04m 23s
Comments:

A couple of people were already packign up T2 when I showed up... I didn't rush I even stopped at the port o potty before exiting transition.
What would you do differently?:

Move faster, not stop to pee...
Run
  • 1h 11m 38s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 11m 32s  min/mile
Comments:

My pacing was right where I thought it would be. It was a lonely run. At first I saw lots of people coming back against me and there were several in front of me. That all changed after I passed the 5k turnaround. My back was definitely tightening up so I could run about a quarter of mile, walk for a little and try to stretch my lower back and then go again. Not the best way to do a run, but it got done. Without the back issues, I think I would have been able to hold an ten minute pace instead of the 11.5
What would you do differently?:

Not much, I was relatively happy with the run.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked around a little - went and claimed my free beer! Checked out a couple of tents with my buddy Johnny who came to cheer me on! Thanks buddy!

Later that day I put on a Greek brunch feed bag and then did 20min spin and hot tub....

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Too numerous to mention here... Actually I was not far off my plan except for the swim and the worlds longest flat changing experience.

Event comments:

Overall good race, good schwag... Great to see the pros! I will do this one again... Hopefully Dallas fixes the stupid roads... It would be sad to lose the a world class competition because of road conditions!




Last updated: 2009-09-11 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:49:11 | 1640 yards | 02m / 100yards
Age Group: 11/11
Overall: 628/637
Performance: Bad
Suit: Sleeveless shorty Neo Sport
Course: Triangular
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 70F / 21C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Bad
Breathing: Below average Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Bad
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 05:50
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Bad Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:58:52 | 24.85 miles | 12.54 mile/hr
Age Group: 11/11
Overall: 641/637
Performance: Below average
Wind: Headwind
Course: Point to point across south Dallas to the AAC. One big hill - and it was really a hill. Not just a "Dallas Hill". Rolling hills, but generally down hill from the top of the big hill.
Road: Rough Wet Cadence: 80
Turns: Average Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 04:23
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
01:11:38 | 06.21 miles | 11m 32s  min/mile
Age Group: 8/11
Overall: 622/637
Performance: Good
Course: Around the AAC, up the Katy trail and back
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? No
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2009-10-12 12:03 PM

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Champion
5522
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Frisco, TX
Subject: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic


2009-10-12 12:10 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Pro
4827
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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Rough conditions out there yesterday.  Congrats on perserving.
2009-10-12 12:38 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Pro
4100
20002000100
Wherever the trail takes me, WA.
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
I can only picture you trying to get the wetsuit off in T1.  Sorry that happen.  You did great!  Changing a flat w/ COLD HANDS!! UGH!!!! 

You stuck it out!  PROPS!
2009-10-12 12:44 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Champion
6973
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marietta
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Damn tough day Andy.  Way to hang in there! 
2009-10-12 12:48 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Expert
1010
1000
Greer, SC
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Way to stick it out through tough circumstances.  I hear ya on the flat, they suck.  Even with all of the troubles, you were strong enough to finish with a great run.  Sounds like you learned alot, which is priceless for your next races.  Overall, great work Andy.
2009-10-12 2:03 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Expert
1323
1000100100100
Rowlett, TX
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Way to get mad and turn green to get the suit off. Nice first oly. Nice job on getting the tire done with the issues. I might have thrown something heavy far.


2009-10-12 5:00 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Veteran
170
1002525
Plano, TX
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic

Congrats on the first Oly!  Way to stick with it and churning on.

2009-10-12 5:15 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Master
1651
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Breckenridge, CO
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Nice job overcoming obstacles. Those were tough conditions!
2009-10-12 6:06 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Expert
1007
1000
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
You had a tough day! Yikes, you deserve to have a meltdown but you didn't, that's a true sportsman! Congrats on finishing the race in nasty conditions!
2009-10-12 7:48 PM
in reply to: #2455985

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Champion
23360
5000500050005000200010001001001002525
Taser-World
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Yeah but... did you have fun? LOL

Sounds like an "interesting" day! But now you have an excuse to buy a new wetsuit! (Yay, new gear!)

Good job on getting through it all.


2009-10-12 8:53 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Master
2381
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Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Great job in some tough conditions.  


2009-10-12 8:59 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Master
2146
200010025
East Side of the Bay
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Hey You finished your first Oly and there are not many people (aside from BT) who can claim the same thing...Be proud of that! Sounds like a tough day between the cold and equipment issues, strong work getting through it all!
2009-10-12 9:08 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Veteran
218
100100
Plano, Texas
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Man...I would have mailed in it a long time ago, but you gutted it out. Congrats, and way to tackle the first Oly.
2009-10-13 7:25 AM
in reply to: #2456263

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Champion
9060
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Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Good job Andy, like the hulk move with the wetsuit, did you at least point the way to the beach while flexing? ; )

Doesn't sound like there was much more you could have done based on the conditions and mechanicals, don't sweat it.
2009-10-13 10:14 AM
in reply to: #2455132

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Expert
1074
10002525
Madison, MS
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic

Dude! Way to tough it out! From now on, every other Oly distance race will seem easy.

2009-10-13 2:19 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Master
2436
200010010010010025
Apex, north carolina
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Apart from the suit and flat - which were beyond your control - it sounds like you had a good race.  I would have been on the side of the road in tears with the flat.  Congratulations on the first Olympic!  Way to stay strong. Would have loved to see the HeMan removal of the wetsuit Kiss


2009-10-13 3:24 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Elite
4372
200020001001001002525
Connecticut
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Nice job gutting it out!  Now, time to go shopping for a new wetsuit!
2009-10-13 11:30 PM
in reply to: #2455132

New user
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Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Congratulations on the first oly. I just did the sprint but this course and that rough swim convinved me to try to move to oly next year.  Good job.
2009-10-13 11:49 PM
in reply to: #2455132

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Champion
10471
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic
Great job on finishing that race! I honestly almost bailed on the swim before the first turn and as you know, that's seriously saying something.

Anyone who made it out of the water is hardcore in my book!



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