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The Nation's Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


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Washington, Washington, D.C.
United States
TNT productions
Precipitation
Total Time = 2h 45m 15s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

I think I slept an hr.. Shared a room with my friend Scott and boy does he snore loud.. Now I know what my wife dealt with during my snoring days.. Took a shower at 3:30am to wake myself up and ate my usual peanut butter and banana sandwich and drank nuun. Harassed my friend about his snoring and left for the bus. We got to the bus pick-up at 5:15 but it was so crowded that we didn't get on a bus until almost 6. Felt rushed when we got to the transition area because i didn't feel prepared to deal with the rain and setting-up for the area in the rain. Luckily for me the start was delayed 20 min or else I don't think I would have finish setting-up on time.
Event warmup:

Nothing.. Swing my arms in circles before I entered the water.
Swim
  • 31m 17s
  • 1640 yards
  • 01m 55s / 100 yards
Comments:

I've been debating for awhile about how I was going to approach the swim. Last yr in the NYC tri (my last Olympic), I went pretty hard and had full leg cramps leaving the water. I decided to go easy and not push hard.. As it turns out I think I was overly conservative. During the first 400 i took my time no real traffic since I had a good swim position and went way off course, kayaker told me to swim the other way, felt great but was getting passed. During the next 400 I decided to push harder felt great, next 400 felt great and not winded so I started pushing harder.. I started to pass everyone that passed me. I started to pass some other color caps but at the 1200 mark (a very well marked course)I got hit right on the nose twice, my goggles were at the side of my face and my nose was bleeding and hurting like crazy.. I blanked out for sec.. had to turn on my back for a min to re-adjust myself and i thought my nose was broken.. I was fine, turned around and started to swim again. Swam another 200 yds and wham got kicked in the head again, swam more and got kicked again. I was surrounded by breast strokers. The course became so crowded with all the slower swimmers from the earlier waves, some were on their back just talking to each other. I couldn't figure out how to get around them so I decided to go through them.. I was pissed since 1) i got kicked in the head so many times and 2)they were taking prime real estate and talking and bs'ing like they're at a bar.. I literally just swam over them and swam harder to the finish. When I finished i didn't feel winded at all. Maybe because I spent so much time upright trying to figure out how to get around the crowds of people..
What would you do differently?:

Figure out my proper race pace and practice more OWS.
Transition 1
  • 06m 6s
Comments:

the run to my bike was a little long. Notice my leg twinging a little so I walked.. I think i figured out why my legs cramp after a race swim.. It's running with the wetsuit on. My legs felt fine after I got the suit off. I was debating with myself stupid things in this transition like should I wear glasses, should I wear thick wet socks or thin wet socks, I took a gel and ran with the bike out.
What would you do differently?:

Stick to my game plan and just race
Bike
  • 1h 13m 5s
  • 24.85 miles
  • 20.40 mile/hr
Comments:

I was super cautious on the bike. This is my first time riding in the rain and wet weather. the first 4 miles i think I averaged less than 15 mph because i was being so cautious and there were a lot of tight turns. Once we got on the main straightaway I decided to go harder but was very nervous about the crowds and the wet weather. I was so nervous on the bike that on mile 18 my hands started to cramp because I was holding the aerobars so tight. A lot of people had flats and many bottles on the course, some slippery and bumpy areas.. With the slow start I was pretty happy with the time. Legs felt great throughout, didn't push hard enough. Saw my old college friends near the end of the course. It was great seeing them and I was very happy to get off the bike.
What would you do differently?:

Not be a wussy and bike/run when the weather is bad.
Transition 2
  • 02m 52s
Comments:

ran and racked the bike with no problems. thought about switching socks.. but decided that i was being stupid. I got everything on and just stood there for a min thinking this is fast I must be forgetting something.
What would you do differently?:

I just need to race and not think about things so much.
Run
  • 51m 52s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 08m 21s  min/mile
Comments:

I saw my friends cheering for me at the beginning and got a huge adrenaline rush. I ran maybe 1.5 miles and was wondering why I was breathing so hard. I looked down and noticed that I was running a 7min mile pace.. A little aggressive for my abilities. My legs still felt pretty good so I thought I'd slow down a little and see if I could maintain the pace for the rest of the race.. Mile 3.5 or so I hit a wall. my legs started to drag big time, cardio wise i felt ok but my legs started to scream at me and my pace slowed down a lot. I walked the last two water stops and even tried the gu blocks they were handing out wishing they would give my legs some energy. Made the mistake of eating them while running and choked on them (Now i know why we tell our kids not to run with our mouths full!). I had to stop for a sec to clear my throat. Ran to the finish line and saw my friends. Felt great after the race. Felt like I normally do after a long workout. I think this means I didn't push myself hard enough.. I got my finishers medal from an extremely polite 5 yr old.. very cute kid.
What would you do differently?:

Run at a more even pace. The fast pace in the beginning hurt me at the end. Overall my time sort of averaged out.
Post race
Warm down:

Waited for my friend Scott to finish and hung out with friends. It was easy to cool down because it was so wet and cold.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I need to just race and not think/debate things so much. Also need to just relax and practice in all types of weather.

Event comments:

This race can't support so many people..

Nicely run race but 5000ish racers on this course is crazy. I never encountered a race that you encountered so much traffic at all parts of the race. The volunteers were great and did a great job supporting the participants.

Learned a ton and hopefully I won't over think the next race. Also no more races with 5000ish participants.. Can't imagine how chaotic it would have been if all 7000ish racers showed-up.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2009-12-15 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:31:17 | 1640 yards | 01m 55s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Suit: Sleeveless
Course: Narrow triangle.. They claimed it was in the shape of the Washington Monument.
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Bad
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 06:06
Performance: Bad
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:13:05 | 24.85 miles | 20.40 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Wind: Some
Course:
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 02:52
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:51:52 | 06.21 miles | 08m 21s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Course:
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 2

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2010-09-13 2:50 PM

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: The Nation's Triathlon


2010-09-13 4:38 PM
in reply to: #3096001

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Extreme Veteran
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1001001002525
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Congrats on overcoming the elements and getting it done.  I laughed at your comments on T2.....
2010-09-13 5:45 PM
in reply to: #3096001

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Elite
3072
200010002525
san francisco
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Good job on the race, Stan!

I was LOL at the image of the backstrokers and breaststrokers "b.s.'ing like at a bar" I guess we know what the b.s. stands for there.  Sorry you had to navigate all of that, sounds like a big PITA.   

Great bike pace when first 4 miles were at 15mph, you must've been flying the rest of the way!  

That's a nice run pace, for sure, good effort the whole way.   
2010-09-13 6:19 PM
in reply to: #3096001

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Master
2501
2000500
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Great race!! How's the nose? Can't imagine racing in a course with that many people and not as far to spread out! Way to hang in there in spite of the crap weather and crowded conditions. Congratulations!!
2010-09-13 10:16 PM
in reply to: #3096511

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Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
And I get grumpy about the crowding on the swim course in a race with 600 partipants! LOL! Sounds like a crazy day, but you pulled off a great race. You must have been flying after those first cautious miles on the bike!
2010-09-14 12:01 AM
in reply to: #3096001

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Master
1517
1000500
Raleigh
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
dang...sounds like you had a brutal swim...but i hear ya on the frog kickers...I try and spot them when I sight every 6 or so strokes...I held my ground in the swim but I wasn't out to hurt anyone- luckily i'm not a huge kicker

Nice finish tho...was not the best of conditions out there at all..


2010-09-14 7:40 AM
in reply to: #3096001

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Elite
3395
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Raleigh
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Glad you got through it and did so well under those conditions. Sorry I did not make to meet you. Nice job in all three disciplines!
2010-09-14 8:43 AM
in reply to: #3096001

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Master
2436
200010010010010025
Apex, north carolina
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
 I can't decide if I want to avoid your races because you always seem to have the worst conditions, or if I should follow you because you do so well in such terrible conditions. Way to go.  I HATE BEING COLD!!!   It sucks all the energy out of you.
2010-09-14 9:28 AM
in reply to: #3096001

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Master
1623
1000500100
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Great job!  That swim sounds crazy.... hope the nose is ok now!
2010-09-14 9:55 AM
in reply to: #3097471

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Champion
9060
5000200020002525
Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Way to go Stan, great race.  Sorry I couldn't get out there to cheer you guys on, hopefully next year we can figure out some race on the east coast to meet up.  (one with less than 5k people...)
2010-09-14 10:47 PM
in reply to: #3096001

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Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Dude, you always have one of the most eventful races.  Nice job working through it all. 


2010-09-15 8:47 AM
in reply to: #3096001

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Extreme Veteran
599
500252525
Houston, TX
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Nice race Stan!   Way to overcome the many obstacles!  I can't imagine a race with that many participants.   
2010-09-15 8:15 PM
in reply to: #3096001

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Pro
4824
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Houston
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Great job!  I'm with Betsy, I don't like races with 1,000 participants.  I can't imagine 5,000.
2010-09-15 8:38 PM
in reply to: #3096001

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Champion
7163
500020001002525
Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
Stan, you really are the MAN!  Nearly a broken nose on the swim, you call a 20mph ride being awussy and hit the run with 7 minute miles.....nice job.  And I agree, 5,000 people is WAY to many for any tri. 
2010-09-17 2:38 PM
in reply to: #3096001

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Champion
6973
500010005001001001001002525
marietta
Subject: RE: The Nation's Triathlon
nice job man!  edp in those conditions, weather and # of people.  smart going on the bike too!
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