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White Lake Half II - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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White Lake, North Carolina
United States
Set-Up, Inc.
93F / 34C
Sunny
Total Time = 6h 32m 57s
Overall Rank = 66/175F
Age Group = 40 - 44
Age Group Rank = 13/30
Pre-race routine:

Ate peanut butter and jelly sandwich and coffee. Got to race site early for parking.
Event warmup:

Didn't really bother to warm up for an event of this length.
Swim
  • 47m 37s
  • 2112 yards
  • 02m 15s / 100 yards
Comments:

The hot days had warmed the water to 79, which is not wetsuit legal for points/awards, however swimmers have the option to wear wetsuits up to 83. I knew I would not be placing in this event, so I opted to wear my wetsuit. Since this is my first half and I'm not a strong swimmer, I didn't want to be out there f.o.r.e.v.e.r.

I thought I swam little better than this, but the water was choppy, so I guess that had an effect.

Nutrition = 1 GU 15 min prior to race start = 100 calories


What would you do differently?:

Nothing. Goggles did not leak/fog and my sighting/navigation was great. Just need to improve speed.
Transition 1
  • 02m 39s
Comments:

Wetsuit came off fairly easy. Fumbled a little getting into shoes. Forgot Garmin.
What would you do differently?:

Place garmin where I will not forget it. I really wanted the lap data from this bike!
Bike
  • 3h 10m 9s
  • 56 miles
  • 17.67 mile/hr
Comments:

The 12 to 13 mph headwinds/crosswinds were discouraging. Energy level was great. I got passed a lot in the beginning, but in the last 10 miles I passed a lot of people, including aero helmet guys with disc wheels (I have an entry level road bike). I guess they spun too hard and bonked! I kept an easier gear with a higher cadence which seemed ot work well for me. I think I spun around 80.

Nutrition: 3 bottles of Infinit, 1 1/2 bottles plain water, 1 Lara bar, 1 GU = 682 calories
What would you do differently?:

I don't think there was anything more I could have done at my current level of fitness; just need to train more.
Transition 2
  • 02m 19s
Comments:

Racked my bike backwards and had to turn it around. Used a fuel belt so had to put that on before grabbing my run belt and Garmin. Then I had to reset my Garmin to run since I forgot it on the bike. I did this while walking, then ran as soon as I had it set.
What would you do differently?:

If I hadn't forgotten the Garmin on the bike, I wouldn't have had to fiddle with it before the run!
Run
  • 2h 30m 15s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 11m 28s  min/mile
Comments:

I knew this was the wild card to my finish time. Legs felt good off the bike, maybe because I spun an easier gear in the headwinds, or maybe because I overdosed the infinit on the bike and had PLENTY of electrolytes running around inside. But it was in the 90s by now, sunny and scorching HOT! I had not stopped to use the pot-a-john during transition, so I stopped at the first aid station. I grabbed water and grabbed an ice towel, then started running. I was at about a 10 pace which is what I thought I could hold, but that pace slowly faded throughout the run.

I had so much Infinit on the bike, the I could not stand the thoughts of more of it on the run, so I drank very little from my fuel belt. I decided to walk through the aid stations. Each time I would grab an ice towel (or wet the one I had), then dump a cup of water on my head and chest and drink another. I took a couple of Endurolytes, but forgot to have the GU I had planned.

All through the run all I thought about was Brian's post in the White Lake I thread where he heard a coach yell to a guy behind him, "It's gonna be a REAL long day if you start walking now!" Thanks for the post Brian; that's what kept me going! Was fun to see you out there with your "White Bake" sign too!!!

Photobucket

I also saw Harold a few times and got a high 5 from Louie coming from the other direction on the run. I saw several other folks I knew from my Tri club, my coach, and even my chiropractor (whom I passed!). He is the one who got me started in Triathlon to begin with.

I was pretty heat drained by the time I got to mile 10, and slowed even more. I continued to run, albeit s.l.o.w. EVERYONE was suffering out there and many dropped out of the race. But I was in really good spirits the whole way and asked a few people if they were still having FUN and tried to get them to put a SMILE on!

When I got to the finish, my training partner Pete, and club President Jay, were there. I was 6.5 min behind Jay and 4.5 min behind Pete, so they didn't have to wait long for me!



What would you do differently?:

I think I would have been better off without the fuel belt. I ended up carrying that extra weight the whole way and not even using it. I took in a total of 1027 calories (not including breakfast). I think I need to lessen the flavor strenth on my Infinit and put a more concentrated dose into only 1 bottle on the bike so that I'll have more plain water. The flavor got to me which caused me not to want anymore on my run, thus lugging around an unused fuel belt. But, considering I felt great the entire way and had no threats of cramps, I can only assume that the Infinit saved me? My legs even felt good off the bike, which is rare. I need to tweek this to have a bit more nutrition on the run, then I think I'll be set!
Post race
Warm down:

Jumped in the lake!!!

Later we met up with James, our club VP, and his family for dinner at San Jose'. Was a great way to end a great day!

Despite the heat drain, I actually felt really good during and after this race. The distance came easy enough, but I need to work on speed. I'm still less than a year into triathlon, so it can only get better. I just started last fall with adult swim lessons in July and my first road bike last September; so this half is a big accomplishment for me.

Yes, I smiled the entire way! I can't wait to do it again!

Photobucket

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Heat and wind.

Event comments:

Loved it! Setup events always does a great job. Can't wait to do it again!


Profile Album


Last updated: 2009-12-01 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:47:37 | 2112 yards | 02m 15s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/30
Overall: 0/175F
Performance: Good
Suit: full sleeve
Course: Clockwise triangle
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 79F / 26C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:39
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
03:10:09 | 56 miles | 17.67 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/30
Overall: 0/175F
Performance: Good
Wind: Headwind
Course: 56 mile loop
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:19
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Below average
Shoe and helmet removal Average
Running
02:30:15 | 13.1 miles | 11m 28s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/30
Overall: 0/175F
Performance: Below average
Course: Out and back
Keeping cool Below average 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? 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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2010-05-09 2:47 PM

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Expert
1118
1000100
, North Carolina
Subject: White Lake Half II


2010-05-09 3:48 PM
in reply to: #2847090

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Champion
7542
5000200050025
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bronze member
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
Nice race! 

Not sure anyone as HAWT as you could stay cool during a race (especially on a 90+ day)
2010-05-09 5:31 PM
in reply to: #2847090

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Master
1517
1000500
Raleigh
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
i rack my bike by the seat pre-race then brake rack it backwards in t2...seems to work good for me =)

nice job on the finish! glad you had proper nutrition, I feel i'm still figuring that out as i pseudo-bonked on the bike in the last 20 miles...

Oh and san jose mexican post race is what i had too!!! delish!
2010-05-09 7:40 PM
in reply to: #2847090

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Expert
1394
1000100100100252525
Wilmington, NC
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
wow tough day, weather wise, to be introduced to a HIM. Reading these White Lakes reports makes me quite grateful for the weather I had in my HIM last November.
Great race out there on your 1st go around. Very nice indeed.
2010-05-09 9:20 PM
in reply to: #2847090

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Expert
1146
100010025
Johns Creek, Georgia
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
Happy Mother's Day Maria.  You rock!  I'm very proud of your accomplishment in such a short time.  With more traing and time you will be in contention in the AG for sure.  You have a great competitive spirit but also a contageous smile!  Keep at it!
2010-05-10 3:31 AM
in reply to: #2847090

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Expert
1118
1000100
, North Carolina
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
Thanks everyone!  I truly had fun despite the conditions.  I just made up my mind that I was going to embrace whatever mother nature threw at us. 

Scottie - good tip on the racking.  I'll keep that in mind.  They were being VERY strict about proper racking before the race, so I wanted to make sure it was right during T2 also.

I will definitely be signing up for the FIRST weekend next year!


2010-05-10 4:13 AM
in reply to: #2847090

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2010-05-10 8:18 AM
in reply to: #2847090

Concord, NC
Gold member
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
You trained hard and smart for this race Maria and it paid off for you.  Great report and congratulations on your first HIM finish!
2010-05-10 9:07 AM
in reply to: #2847090

Extreme Veteran
353
1001001002525
Randleman, NC
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II

Way to go Maria! As you probably noticed being in NC the weather was even wackier on Sunday. You just never know what you're going to get at White lake. Spinning it up on the bike was the best thing you could have done and it paid off! Congratulations.

2010-05-10 10:56 AM
in reply to: #2847090

Master
1704
1000500100100
Charlotte
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
Glad I helped!  LOL!
2010-05-10 11:05 AM
in reply to: #2847090

Extreme Veteran
1942
100050010010010010025
In front of computer when typing this.
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
Great report. Glad you had a good experience overall and that you dealt with the miserable conditions so well! Awesome job.


2010-05-10 2:18 PM
in reply to: #2847090

Expert
1118
1000100
, North Carolina
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II
After reading several other race reports, I'm fairly convinced that my Inifnit formula is what saved me.  It seems the recurirng theme to a successful race (esp in heat) is proper nutrition/hydration/eletrolytes.  But I'm sure training has some to do with it too... lol.
2010-05-10 5:55 PM
in reply to: #2847090

Master
1932
100050010010010010025
Savannah,
Subject: RE: White Lake Half II

Great race!

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