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Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Benton Harbor, Michigan
United States
CAPRI Events
Precipitation
Total Time = 5h 32m 59s
Overall Rank = 750/
Age Group = 18-24
Age Group Rank = 38/
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 4AM, ate one blueberry muffin, Clif Bar, banana, and Gatorade. I took a shower and hopped back in bed to warm up since our AC was on all night. We were leaving the hotel at around 5:30AM and we arrived at the parking area shortly after. I hopped on the soggy shuttle and headed down to Jean Klock Park. It has been raining for a while at that point so transition was flooded surrounding my rack. I new my T times would be slow, so I set up what I could and then met up with my dad to walk to the swim start.
Event warmup:

I didn't have a warmup apart from the 1.2mile walk to the swim start. Wave 10(my wave) was scheduled to go off at 7:53AM so we were there plenty early. I just stood around in the cold rain until my start.
Swim
  • 36m 11s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 43s / 100 yards
Comments:

The swim time seems very fast and I'm not sure why. I was surprised to come to the finish so soon. I was mentally prepared for a long mental battle. I zig-zagged my way past the buoys which probably wasted a ton of time. For some reason, I just couldn't stay straight. The field eventually spread out, and I swam alone for most of the time. I pushed it and felt solid the whole way.
What would you do differently?:

Apply boldyglide to my neck. I have a pretty bad wetsuit hickey which stung the entire race. Dumb mistake on my part.
Transition 1
  • 02m 41s
Comments:

I dropped my goggles and cap in the sand on the way to transition, but it didn't slow me down much. Everything was wet and sandy so there wasn't much to do. I threw on my helmet, glasses, and race belt and stuffed 3 Clif Bars in my pockets.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. Pretty solid T1.
Bike
  • 2h 55m 46s
  • 56 miles
  • 19.12 mile/hr
Comments:

I got up to speed and played it by ear for the first 30mins. It took until the first hour to get fully warmed up. I hammered the first 2hours (40 miles) and felt good. There wasn't much wind, and I took advantage of the downhill sections. The last hour, I was in a bad place. I kept looking at my comp hoping the end would be near. A headwind developed and I was no longer comfortable in aero. I was hoping that I hadn't gone too fast earlier so I decided to take it easier for the rest. I ate 2 Clif Bars in the first 2 hours in half-size portions and sipped my G-ade and water. I didn't eat anything the last hour in order to give my stomache time to settle. Finally the end came. I was very anxious to see how my legs would hold up on the run.

My goal wattage was 145-150 but during the first 40 miles that I hammered, I felt so good that I decided to just keep hammering. My plan was only to play it safe for the run.
What would you do differently?:

Train more. More long rides. More long bricks.
Transition 2
  • 03m 12s
Comments:

Transition was still a soggy and sandy mess. My bike should were damp and sandy the entire ride. I knew my feet would suffer later. I rolled my Under Armour socks onto my pruned and sandy feet and threw on my shoes. I put my PowerBar bites in my pocket, threw on my hat, and swapped HRM straps on my way out of transition.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Run
  • 1h 55m 9s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 47s  min/mile
Comments:

I started the run with a full bladder and heavy legs. I planned on keeping it steady the first few miles so as not to blow up later. I eventually found my rhythm and kept on pushing. I stopped to pee at the first aid station, but it didn't take long. I had about 3 PowerBar bites in the first few miles, but I stopped with those because my stomach was sloshing. At each aid station I drenched myself with several cups of water and threw some ice in my jersey. I drank some G-ade and water at several aid stations, but I wanted to consume the least amount of anything as possible. I wanted to keep my HR in the low 160s because I knew I could sustain that. Between aid stations I felt like I was burning up. My right foot went numb and it felt like the combination of water and sand in my shoes was creating many blisters. I refused to slow down and kept trucking. During the second lap, I had only slowed a little, but I was ready for the finish. I continued the same pattern of action at aid stations. My legs were really starting to burn, but I kept pushing it. The last mile seemed like the longest mile of my life. I sped up as much as I could for the finish, but I had truly burned everything in my tank.
What would you do differently?:

Not much could have improved my run. I was surprised to have no GI issues. I controlled everything within my box and I held onto my pace. The miles that I have been putting in have really paid off, especially the long runs up to 14miles.
Post race
Warm down:

No warm down. Stumbling around after the finish to collect my goodies and then I sat down the a G-ade table for a few mins. I stumbled through transition and then made the trek to the car with my Dad.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Nothing. I raced to the fullest of my potential and I controlled everything I could. I executed my plan better than I though I could. My training paid off big time and I met my goal.

Event comments:

Awesome race put on by Ironman at a stellar venue. Plenty of volunteers and support. Many locals lined up on the streets to cheer us on. That really made me thankful for having the opportunity to race.




Last updated: 2009-12-15 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:36:11 | 2112 yards | 01m 43s / 100yards
Age Group: 45/
Overall: 869/
Performance: Good
Suit: Xterra
Course: Straight course parallel to shore with the current.
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Bad
Waves: Good Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Below average
T1
Time: 02:41
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
02:55:46 | 56 miles | 19.12 mile/hr
Age Group: 49/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Entire workout (143 watts): Duration: 2:58:45 Work: 1530 kJ TSS: 167.7 (intensity factor 0.751) Norm Power: 152 VI: 1.06 Pw:HR: 2.62% Pa:HR: 5.05% Distance: 56.876 mi Min Max Avg Power: 0 558 143 watts Heart Rate: 129 187 154 bpm Cadence: 53 231 98 rpm Speed: 0 35.5 19.0 mph Pace 1:41 0:00 3:09 min/mi Crank Torque: 0 463 124 lb-in
Wind: Headwind
Course: Rolling hills over nice roads.
Road: Smooth Wet Cadence: 98
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 03:12
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
01:55:09 | 13.1 miles | 08m 47s  min/mile
Age Group: 38/
Overall: 750/
Performance: Good
Av HR: 161
Course: Mostly flat 2-loop course thru Whirlpool campus.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
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:
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2010-07-31 6:49 PM

Expert
950
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Ann Arbor
Subject: Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon


2010-07-31 7:11 PM
in reply to: #3016002

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Extreme Veteran
473
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Chelsea, MI
Subject: RE: Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon
Great job!!  You really had a great swim.  Congrats on a nice clean race report.
2010-08-01 9:41 AM
in reply to: #3016002

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Expert
1146
100010025
Chugiak, Alaska
Subject: RE: Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon

Awesome Job Carl!!!! way to dig deep and power through it! - it looks like all your training has really paid off!  I can only hope to compete in a HIM one day!

2010-08-01 1:32 PM
in reply to: #3016002

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Master
3486
20001000100100100100252525
Fort Wayne
Subject: RE: Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon
Nice job!  That looks like some fast swimming.

I am eyeballing this and another half iron race for a couple of years out.  I'll see what happens with all my other training and stuff going on between now and then.
2010-08-01 6:03 PM
in reply to: #3016002

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Master
1702
1000500100100
Southern Ontario
Subject: RE: Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon
Sounds like it was a great day for you!! Whooohooooo!!!
2010-08-02 7:30 AM
in reply to: #3016002

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Pro
3804
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Seacoast, NH!
Subject: RE: Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon
Nice job Carl.  This looks like a fantastic benchmark for future races.


2010-08-03 11:29 PM
in reply to: #3017715

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Champion
7233
5000200010010025
Subject: RE: Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon
nice job out there, and great first half
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