General Discussion Race Reports! » West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply

West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic - TriathlonOlympic


View Member's Race Log
La Grange, Georgia
United States
GMI Multisports
85F / 29C
Precipitation
Total Time = 2h 35m 50s
Overall Rank = 92/270
Age Group = 40-45
Age Group Rank = 12/31
Event warmup:

This was an Olympic Triathlon and was the Georgia State Championship race. There were a lot of very in-shape people at this race, athletes who were the best of the best from races around the state. I saw some incredible bikes, too. I was wondering what portion of the bottom of the pack I'd be in when I finished.

I had not tapered and was treating this as a training event. I didn't do anything on Saturday, other than bike the run course to get a feel for what I'd see the next day. I checked into a Holiday Inn Express last night (yes, I'm very smart today) and was asleep by 9pm. I slept very well.

I woke to the alarm at 4am. I ate a PBJ that I had brought along with me (boy, was it good, too) and drank some gatoraid. I popped a couple of Enduralytes and vitamins. I mixed my fluid bottles and got my tri stuff on before waking my bike (yes, she was sleeping next to me). We packed up and headed to the race venue, arriving at 5:20am.

I sat in the truck and jammed to some Rolling Stones, Beck, and Sting as loud as the stereo would go while just relaxing. I ended with "Everything's Turning to Gold" by the Stones before grabbing all my crapola and heading to the transition area. I felt great.

Fortunately, the swim exit was very close to T1. It was a well laid out area and I got all of my stuff set up. I had some extra time before the 7:30am start, so I went to a lakeside dock and sat down. I watched the sun coming up, noticed the steam coming off of the lake, and said my prayers.

I was at the swim start by 7:15, swam easily about 200 yards. I peed in the lake and after a slight shiver, was back on the bank at the starting line.

It was a "Time Trial" start, meaning we went off in groups of 2 about every 5 seconds and we were seeded according to our expected swim times. All day, I had no idea where my competition was on the course since we didn't start in catagorized age groups.
Swim
  • 27m 7s
  • 1640 yards
  • 01m 39s / 100 yards
Comments:

The swim was a little challenging. There were not enough bouys, particularly on the backside of the course. This made navigating quite difficult at times since that particular leg was right into the sun. So, I had to battle the glare while trying to find the next bouy inbetween strokes. I just followed the folks in front of me and got there without any major deviations from the line.

There was one guy swimming alongside me, however who was very annoying. First, he had one of those snorkels on that goes up the middle of your face. I don't think those should be allowed. It strikes me as a device that could give you an advantage. Secondly, the guy couldn't swim in a straight line to save his life. I'd come up for breath, he'd be 6 feet to my side, I'd come up for another and he'd be swimming right into me. I made a burst to get ahead of him, then he latched onto my feet and kept brushing them. So, with one more burst and a move to the left, I dropped him out of my draft line. I've never "dropped" anyone on a swim before, but I was glad to see him go.
What would you do differently?:

I'm okay with my swimming. I know I could be faster if I focused more on the swim workouts and hit the free-weights. I think I'll start doing more lifting in preparation for my upcoming races.
Transition 1
  • 01m 58s
Comments:

Everything went fine except I had trouble getting my socks on. I could forgo socks in future races, but that means training without them, too. I just like socks, but they are a pain in the rear during T1.
Bike
  • 1h 12m 15s
  • 26.1 miles
  • 21.67 mile/hr
Comments:

The race was advertised with a 42k bike. I don't know why they added 2k, but so be it.

There was a slight climb out of T1, which is never any fun. I love redlining my HR right out of the gate. The course was on well paved country roads. There were no flat spots to speak of, just lots of rolling hills. I never got out of the saddle, just used the gearing to adjust on the climbs.

It was a great ride. But, there was this one dude who really made me angry. I was passing someone on the left and was about to move back over to the right side of the road. As I looked over, this joker on his cute yellow Softride was passing me on the right! He was passing between me and the person I had just passed. WTF? If I had just swung over, I would have run into him. Now, since he was on a tri bike, I reasoned to myself that this idiot knew the rules and was just being an a$$hole.

I yelled at him as loud as I could "Don't ever pass on the right".

Well, he shouts back, "You were to the left", to which I replied, "Yeah, you a$$hole, I was passing someone!".

He didn't say anything back to me at that point and kept going. Well, it made me so mad that I repassed him just so I could, once again, let him know how I felt about his actions as I went by. I'm not one to use this kind of language on a perfect stranger, but he deserved it. He later repassed me, and did so on the left and without saying a word.

Other than that, it was a good ride. I really pushed it and pounded the pedals on the climbs. Also, I drank twice my normal intake of fluids, popped 2 more Enduralytes, and had 2 gels on the bike. I dismounted feeling very good and well hydrated.


What would you do differently?:

This race was in the same type of course as my Half IM in Macon last month. I have been focusing on hill training over the last 4 weeks and the result is clear. I improved my MPH on the bike and still had something left for the run.
Transition 2
  • 01m 11s
Comments:

I got a slight cramp on the back, inside of my right leg. That was strange. It made it so that my stride was restriced for a while. Once I'd run for a few hundred yards, it seemed to loosen up. I credit it to not doing enough Bricks.
Run
  • 53m 20s
  • 6.2 miles
  • 08m 36s  min/mile
Comments:

I'm absolutely shocked by this run time. It is a PB for a 10k during a triathlon. I was expecting something closer to 58. I felt very strong the first 2 miles and really suffered the last 2, probably cause I went out too fast. But, I wanted to break 2:40 and knew that if I went out fast and had to suffer on the way back in, then so be it.
Post race
Warm down:

Got two of those frozen ice pop recovery things. They are great. I just walked around and stood under the mist tent for a while to cool off.

I absolutely love how I feel the hours after a triathlon. I have found that pain is therapy for me. It cleanses the soul. Pain mixed with accomplishment is an awesome and powerful combination for the mind. They are the two oars on the boat named "Truth".

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Well, lessee, after a year of this, I'm getting faster with each event. So, my lack of speed can only be due to a life of excess and debauchery. I am pleased with how my times are coming down at these events. I think that if I keep up my training regimine, I will be able to continue seeing these times decrease.


My plan for the rest of the season is to work on weight training and speed-work as it concerns the run. I have one sprint, one Oly, and one IM to go.

Event comments:

I was on my own on this race, all of my fans are out of town. So, I celebrated by going to my favorite Sushi bar for a few Corona's and some awesome sushi. Tomorrow, its back to training.




Last updated: 2005-03-08 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:27:07 | 1640 yards | 01m 39s / 100yards
Age Group: 8/31
Overall: 0/270
Performance: Average
Suit:
Course:
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 01:58
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:12:15 | 26.1 miles | 21.67 mile/hr
Age Group: 9/31
Overall: 0/270
Performance:
Wind:
Course:
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 01:11
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:53:20 | 06.2 miles | 08m 36s  min/mile
Age Group: 18/31
Overall: 0/270
Performance: Good
Course:
Keeping cool Drinking
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?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

{postbutton}
2005-07-24 8:45 PM

User image

Master
2447
200010010010010025
Marietta, Ga
Subject: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic


2005-07-24 8:52 PM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Master
1480
1000100100100100252525
Plant City, FL
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic

Awesome race Karl!! Way to show those youngins' how to REALLY race!!

2005-07-24 8:52 PM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Good job, Karl!  Your training is going so well!  You are going to rock at IMFL!
2005-07-24 9:33 PM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Member
24

Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Good job - glad to see you had a PB on the run.  It's nice to end a race like that!
2005-07-25 8:17 AM
in reply to: #205955

Veteran
166
1002525
Alabama
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
You did GREAT!! I'm very proud of you and for you! You can ride w/o socks, no extra training involved. What a jerk on the bike ride! What's up with that?! I hope you beat his overall time!! Glad you had fun and looks like you had a killer RUN!! Whoa-whoa!!

Congrats on an AWESOME "training" race!!

K
2005-07-25 8:45 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Pro
3906
20001000500100100100100
St Charles, IL
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Nice race man!

Setting a PB 10k during a race sure feels great, eh? 

Way to go!

-C


2005-07-25 8:55 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic

Karl, your swim time is fantastic, as are your bike and run times. Your discipline is really paying dividends. Congratulations on a great race.

Sushi - Rusan's?

2005-07-25 9:28 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Queen BTich
12411
500050002000100100100100
,
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic

Karl...are you talking about the big goggles guy with the snorkel?! He made me so mad too, we must have been right by each other at the beginning. He didn't swim straight, I went out left, and he came left too, pulled a little ahead, then gave me a swift kick in the chest! He knocked the wind out of me, and a lung full of water in. I was so angry.

Great job on your race! That is an awesome bike time. I guess all that solo training pays off.

2005-07-25 9:32 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Expert
936
50010010010010025
Westchester County NY
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Great job!  I'm glad you gave Mr Softee, I mean Mr. Softride a piece of your mind.  I hate when people who obviously should know better do something stupid like that.
2005-07-25 11:08 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Master
1791
1000500100100252525
Raleigh, North Carolina
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic

Fantastic race Karl!  Absolutely fantastic.  Incredible performance in all 3 legs.  There's so many cool quotes in your RR too!  LOL!  Can't chalk it all up to the Holiday Inn Express.  ROFL!

Congrats on kiilling your goal time.  The run was awesome, the bike...heck...21+ mph on rolling course is fantastic and a PB on the run to boot.  You're doing something right bro.

2005-07-25 11:28 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Expert
1836
100050010010010025
Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic

Awesome job Karl!



2005-07-25 11:35 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Extreme Veteran
401
100100100100
Plant City, Florida
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
yea I have to agree with Jeff the Holiday Inn Express line was the best...great report as always and even better race....man to set a pb in a race you were using as traing is awesome.....congrats...
2005-07-25 11:51 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Pro
4228
2000200010010025
Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Nice work Karl!  That is one heck of a great race, especially for a so-called "training day"   Congrats!
2005-07-25 12:04 PM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Expert
833
50010010010025
Adrian, MI
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic

It is a PB for a 10k during a triathlon. I was expecting something closer to 58. I felt very strong the first 2 miles and really suffered the last 2, probably cause I went out too fast. But, I wanted to break 2:40 and knew that if I went out fast and had to suffer on the way back in, then so be it.

Damn!  Your getting FAST, Karl!  In ALL disciplines!!  It's cool to watch fellow BT'ers work there way up the proverbial food chain!

Good for you for going out FAST.  Always ATTACK, Karl!  Have faith in yourself...you possess an incredible motor!! 



Edited by fromer 2005-07-25 12:05 PM
2005-07-25 1:20 PM
in reply to: #205955

Master
1741
100050010010025
Boston
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Way 2 go Karl. If I were you, I would have put my finger over Mr. Snorkel-man's breathing apparatus. Let's see him swim then, heh heh. Anyways, congrats on an amazing run, also. I know how you feel about loving the "post-race" glow. I feel great afterwards too. Lookin' good Karl! 
2005-07-25 1:24 PM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Veteran
303
100100100
Auburn, Alabama
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
I searched the DB and saw that you had done this race, and then realized we have done a bunch of the same races. Good job w/ this one. That dam killed me on the run though. SOOOO HOT! and no shade. I had the same problem with th sun in my eyes on the swiim section on the backside. I don't know if this happened where you were, b/c you swim much faster than me, but around that island close to the finish, a ton of people stood up and started walking. Hilarious.

Anyways I was training through this race and I have another one next weekend in Elberton with the Tri-the-Parks that I am training through too. maybe I will see you there. Good luck.
sam


2005-07-26 8:37 AM
in reply to: #206544

User image

Master
2447
200010010010010025
Marietta, Ga
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic

haygosl - 2005-07-25 1:24 PM I searched the DB and saw that you had done this race, and then realized we have done a bunch of the same races. Good job w/ this one. That dam killed me on the run though. SOOOO HOT! and no shade. I had the same problem with th sun in my eyes on the swiim section on the backside. I don't know if this happened where you were, b/c you swim much faster than me, but around that island close to the finish, a ton of people stood up and started walking. Hilarious.

Yeah, I went around that island, too, but didn't get up and walk.  I felt the bottom with my hands as I swam past it.

2005-07-26 9:58 AM
in reply to: #205955

Champion
8903
500020001000500100100100100
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Great race Karl....nice splits in every leg! Damn, I sure am glad you're not in my age group....you'd kick my butt all over the place!
2005-07-27 6:33 PM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Elite Veteran
970
5001001001001002525
Smyrna, Georgia
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic

Hi Karl,

It was great seeing you at the race.  I can't believe you got a PB on the run portion considering the brutal stretch over the damn dam!  That's totally awesome, especially for a training race.  I hope I can get my friggin' act together by next season (e.g. actually come up with a decent training plan and do some speed work) and have as good of a time next year as you had this year.  I'm glad you mentioned that about the distance.  My cateye crapped out towards the end so I couldn't get my full distance, but I thought it was longer than 40k!  We ought to cross through the 40 on our shirts and change it to 42! ;-)

Here's a tip for the sock dilemma.  If you're wearing bike socks, roll them down until just the toe box is sticking out.  It will look like a sock condom.  Then, when you're putting your socks on, you just stick your toes in and roll it on up.  If you need some help getting it rolled down, ask your wife for help since we women do that kind of thing with thigh high and knee high stockings.

Congratulations on a fantastic race and I look forward to hanging with you again.  I'm thinking about pulling together an end of season barbeque over at my house for ATL triathletes and long-suffering significant others!

2005-07-27 7:45 PM
in reply to: #205955

User image

molto veloce mama
9311
500020002000100100100
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
what a shame that you won't be able to buy any pictures from this event...because they will all be big BLURS!!!! you were smokin' in every way! awesome job!!!!
2005-07-27 8:27 PM
in reply to: #209293

Expert
671
5001002525
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Great race Karl. I always love your detailed reports!

See you at the PTC event!

Tony


2005-07-28 11:44 AM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Extreme Veteran
527
50025
Jacksonville, FL
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Karl - Great race! Good to see the hard work pays off in improved times. Along w/the run & bike it looks like you've improved transitions as well. Way to go!
2005-07-28 12:25 PM
in reply to: #205955

User image

Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic
Nice race karl...I'd cal 92/272 FOP Take cares _SMO
General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » West Point Lake Triathlon-Olympic Rss Feed