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Vineman Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Santa Rosa, CA
United States
84F / 29C
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 59m 42s
Overall Rank = 734/1211
Age Group = M30-34
Age Group Rank = 172/248
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 3:45, took a long shower, had some instant oatmeal and half a bagel with PB. I had planned on also having a banana and some gatorade, but I just didn't. I was a bit worried that I hadn't had enough breakfast, but it worked out okay. I had a clif bar just before getting in the water.

We drove out to the swm start, which was a long way to let the nerves build! I set up my transition area and put on my wetsuit. We watched Peter and Tim go off and then I got ready to go.
Event warmup:

Very little swimming. I figured this would force me to start off slowly in the water. As my wave waited for our start, I had to go to the bathroom. I asked a guy beside me if he had ever peed in a wetsuit and he laughed and said of course he had...That was what they were for! I went for it and it was great! I gave him a good laugh and before we knew it the horn went off and so were we. It was a good way to ease the nerves at the swim start.
Swim
  • 36m 6s
  • 2000 meters
  • 01m 48s / 100 meters
Comments:

Swim went very well. Kate and I had practiced on the river on Friday and so having familiarity wth it helped. The river was narrow and shallow, so it never really felt intimidating. The waves were just the right amount of people (my wave was only 32 year-olds), so I never felt panicked. It was a wonderful swim. Thanks to the current I negative split my swim by 3 minutes!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. It was great
Transition 1
  • 03m 24s
Comments:

I got my wetsuit SO muddy by throwing it around carelessly. I should have brought a towel to T1. I put everything in my bag and handed it to my father in law over the fence, and I was off. As I jogged to my bike I felt like I was going to fall over leaning forwards. Luckily it never happened! I decided not to use my makeshift arm warmers (cut out tube socks purchased the night before), and I think I could have used them on the early portion of the bike course...it was a bit chilly and my wrists and elbows were very stiff.
What would you do differently?:

Bring a towel to T1 (what was I thinking??). Use the arm warmers.
Bike
  • 3h 21m 41s
  • 56 miles
  • 16.66 mile/hr
Comments:

The bike course was great. We had surveyed it the day before and, again, it was very helpful for the confidence. It was challenging, but not overly so.

I settled into a rhythm in the first 5-10 miles until I realized that my handlebars were not straight!!! I stopped to check them and sure enough they were loose! AARRRGGHHH. 46 miles to go with loose handlebars. I have the tool to tighten them, but for some reason, I took it out of my bag the night before thinking it was too heavy and I wouldn't be needing it. I rode the next three miles very cautiously to the aid station hoping they would have a tool there. They did not. I tightened it with a wrong sized allen key as much as I could, and off I went. It was fine for a while, but then it felt like it came loose again. The downhills were the scariest. I kept picturing a major wipeout on a down hill.

Finally at mile 30, after several stops and makeshift 'readjusments' I saw two cyclists who were not racing and they had the allen key I needed. they said it was so loose that I was crazy for riding with it like that. After that pit stop, I thanked them and went on my way with much greater confidence....for about 3 miles until the damn bike started randomly pulling in all sorts of directions. It would ride smoothly for a couple of miles and then pull off to the shoulder. Over and over again. SO frustrating and not fun. This is how I rode the last 20 miles...extremely cautiously on any downhill (and there were lots) and scared to ride in the aero position. I was more than happy when the bike portion ended!

I think when the guy tghtened it he tightened it too much because when jogging with the bike in T2, I noticed the steering was very stiff in one direction. I will have to take it to the shop to figure out what happened exactly.

Other than that, I was happy with my pace (even though I was passed by about 300 people), eating and hydrating decisions.
What would you do differently?:

Keep multi tool in seat bag.
Transition 2
  • 06m 1s
Comments:

Slow, methodical.. I could have goon a lot faster changing. I would have been pissed if I had missed the sub-6 hour mark because of my T2.
What would you do differently?:

a little quicker, maybe.
Run
  • 1h 52m 29s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 35s  min/mile
Comments:

Solid run. Started out feeling strong and pretty much kept pace the whole time. It was frustrating that there were no mile markers to judge pace. I wanted to know how quick the first two miles were to know whether to speed up or slow down, but I never saw them.

I passed about 35 people in my age group on the run and I felt good. I knew I had a chance to break 6 hours, but at about mile 9, I started hurting a bit and doubting a bit. I managed to keep pace and fight through the doubts and I really kicked it for the last mile. I was flying, and my HR was about 175. Good strong finish!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. Awesome run.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked, stretched, drank, ate, cheered Kate through her finish (she finished in 7:04:33, feeling good)

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Bike mechanical problems. Bike power.

Event comments:

I am terribly pleased with my performance and that I finished strong. The program that got me here was excellent (BT's own 'beginner HIM program') and I feel very proud of both of our accomplishments. I feel I performed to the best of my abilities in every realm.




Last updated: 2004-12-02 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:36:06 | 2000 meters | 01m 48s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/248
Overall: 0/1211
Performance: Good
Suit: Sleeveless
Course: Out and back along the Russian river. Shallow water you could stand in most of the way. Excellent swim course.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 73F / 23C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 03:24
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
03:21:41 | 56 miles | 16.66 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/248
Overall: 0/1211
Performance: Good
Avg. HR - 147
Wind: Little
Course: Beautiful, scenic, rolling hills. Awesome and challenging.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence: 95
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 06:01
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
01:52:29 | 13.1 miles | 08m 35s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/248
Overall: 0/1211
Performance: Good
Avg. HR - 163
Course: Out and back along back streets and through a Vineyard.
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] 4

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2005-08-01 12:05 PM

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Subject: Vineman Half Ironman


2005-08-01 12:34 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Master
1557
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Maine
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Excellent race and great race report! Glad to hear that the 1/2 IM training plan worked well for you, since that's what I'm following for mine in 3 weeks. That run sounds awesome, really solid keeping up that pace at the end of a 1/2 IM. Nice work.
2005-08-01 1:51 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Extreme Veteran
339
10010010025
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Kick ass job! Very impressive times. What did you do for nutrition during the bike and run?
2005-08-01 2:04 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Elite
2553
20005002525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman

Great job and great race report!  Sorry to hear you had bike problems, but you did good working through them, and you finished strong.

I'm glad to hear that the BT training plan worked well, as I'm currently in Week 13 of that plan.  I'm trying to follow it as dilligently as possible.  I always like reading the "success stories" like yours, and I'm hoping to have my own story soon! 

2005-08-01 2:12 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Not a Coach
11473
5000500010001001001001002525
Media, PA
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Congratulations!  Nice race, especially dealing with your bike problems.  Still, seems like you did a good job on the bike with pacing & fueling which yielded a GREAT run!  I hope I can do the same in my 1/2 next month.
2005-08-01 4:00 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Master
1254
10001001002525
Chesapeake, VA
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Ivan,

Congrats to you! Very nice race report. Sorry about the bike. You really should be proud of your accomplishment. Now go get some rest!



2005-08-01 4:14 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
AMAZING RACE ESP WITH ALL THE BIKE TROUBLE YOU HAD.  CONGRATS
2005-08-01 4:48 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Good job! I'm aiming for this race for next year.

I love seeing so many cars with bikes on 'em on 101 as it passes by my house!

Although, much of my equipment did/will do it this year! My BF had to borrow my bike for the race yesterday, and my wetsuit will most likely be doing the swim on the Relay in two weeks.

2005-08-01 5:36 PM
in reply to: #213104

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Expert
916
500100100100100
San mateo California
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Awsome IVAN...  Great race report....  Just imagine how much faster would you have gone if the bike did not act up...   Great way to break the 6 h mark.... 

Awsome for Kate too...  you guys are amazing.....

cheers and get some rest....
2005-08-01 5:48 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Master
1902
1000500100100100100
Berkeley, CA
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Hey Ivan!

Great race. I was there too, but just FYI, the mile markers were painted on the road just like the bike numbers... stencilled white paint.

Unfortunately, the decision to have all the runners on one side of the road is what made you miss them on the outbound way, but on the way back you probably just weren't looking for them anymore. But for future reference.... (o:

Congrats! I'm amazed at your strong run!

Dana
2005-08-01 5:58 PM
in reply to: #212688

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Expert
1535
100050025
Coeur D'alene, ID
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Fabulous race!  You did great working through the bike headaches and your swim and run were awesome!  Keep that mindset and conditioning for IMCDA next year and you'll waltz across the finish line!


2005-08-02 12:09 AM
in reply to: #212688

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Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Thanks for all the notes. Truly, I think the bike problem was my own fault when I put it back together after the flight. I went on several 'test rides' after putting it together, though, and it was working great. It was frustrating, but could have been much worse!James, my nutrition was nothing fancy. I had 3 clif bars on the bike and 1 bottle of gatorade (plus a few bottles of water), and 2 gels on the run, (plus water and gatorade at the aid stations). I also had a clif just before starting the swim.
2005-08-02 7:30 AM
in reply to: #212688

Champion
8903
500020001000500100100100100
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Good race despite the bike problems Ivan. I'm really impressed with your run split too. I wish I could run that fast after doing 56 miles on the bike. Congrats on a great finish!
2005-08-02 8:25 AM
in reply to: #212688

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Expert
882
500100100100252525
Marietta, GA
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Great race - especially impressive with all your bike issues. Congratulations on keeping on track in spite of technical problems!
2005-08-03 1:22 AM
in reply to: #212688

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2005-08-04 1:19 PM
in reply to: #212688

Master
1384
1000100100100252525
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman
Ivan,

Nothing less than two thumbs up bud! Just awesome!!


2005-08-07 5:29 PM
in reply to: #212688

Elite
3020
20001000
Bay Area, CA
Subject: RE: Vineman Half Ironman

Great race, even with the bike problems. 

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