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TryCharleston Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
United States
Set Up Events
75F / 24C
Overcast
Total Time = 5h 48m
Overall Rank = /207
Age Group = Relay
Age Group Rank = 4/8
Pre-race routine:

Woke up early had a breakfast smoothie and a cup of tea and headed out to the event. Foggy that morning to the point I could barely see going up the bridge to get to Mt. Pleasant. There was a nice layer of mist over the lake giving it a awesome look.
Event warmup:

Run around get all my stuff set up and find a body marker. Met up with my relay partner Carrie and talked to Chris at the Trek tent. Struggle into the wetsuit and await my relay.
Swim
  • 36m 5s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 43s / 100 yards
Comments:

I was in wave 4, purple caps, and there were the elites, red, over 49, silver and AG men, white, in front of me. We got in the water and I was in the middle of the group not really sure what my time/speed would be like. I was looking at the two in front of me and realized they weren't sure how to tread water. I didn't want to get stuck behind them or have to push my way in fron if they were weak swimmers. So I dove as soon as the horn sounded and resurfaced in front of them. The swim went really well, I honestly couldn't be happier. By the first bouy I was passing white capped people and by the second lap I was passing silver!

When I passed the bouy to start my second lap I glanced at the 910, 16:16 AWESOME!! I was also feeling very good as well and decided to keep pushing, I'm only doing the relay and I don't need arms the rest of the day right? Kept up the pace and sighting was getting a bit rougher as my goggles were fogging up. I had one EPIC FAIL moment when I thought I was sprinting for the finish but was sprinting towards a random bit of the pond...

Out of the water strong and started running up the hill to the transition area. And I found the wetsuit strippers, I attribute my not so horrible T-1 time to them.
What would you do differently?:

Anti-fog on the goggles or new ones, I think these are about 6 years old. Start in the front of the pack, I think my swimming ability is there.
Transition 1
  • 03m 21s
Comments:

With it being a double transition site I had to pack up all of my stuff before I could leave. Not a huge deal but packing that wetsuit into a small plastic bag took some time. Other than that it was good
What would you do differently?:

Not much, I had the socks pre-rolled and set and everything laid out in an orderly fashion. Maybe have shoes on pedals?
Bike
  • 2h 52m 57s
  • 56 miles
  • 19.43 mile/hr
Comments:

Pretty decent bike, had hoped to hit some where around 2:45. Got on the bike and my HR was HIGH from the swim. Had planned on a GU right off the bat but wanted to settle down first. About 10 minutes in I found a decent groove and was keeping a decent speed. I had the 910 set to give me a lap at every 5.6 miles so I could plan accordingly. I had hoped to maintain a 19ish avg the first 7 or so laps and bust it out at the end. I ended up going faster in the middle due to some fortunate wind that I decided to take advantage of and it might have hurt my ability to finish strong.

The course was great, plenty of cops helping to direct traffic and as I was in the middle of the pack there were always other cyclists around so I didn't feel threatened by vehicles at all. And some great views of the marshlands in the second half which is always a nice sight. That being said it did let me see all the great drafters at the event... Seriously it's no skin off of my nose but c'mon why? You aren't podiuming if you are riding near me and even if you do you did it by cheating yourself.

At one point I dropped my water bottle and had to circle around for it and was picking it up as the ref vehicle passed, glad I made that choice. Water stations were well stocked but I really didn't want the Hammer sports drink at mile 30, never had it and had my own nutrition, but it was all they had and tasted horrible. I ended up having 3 gus, 1 at mile 10 another around 25 and the last at about 40. I think it was good but I might have added one more as I was feeling fairly well spent by the end and my stomach had started grumbling. I also hadn't had anything to eat since my breakfast smoothie at 0430.

Finished as strong as possible and handed off the chip to my relay partner for her run. Tried not to puke and then enjoyed cheering on the runners.
What would you do differently?:

Maybe another GU but for the most part was very happy with my time.
Transition 2
  • 00m 38s
Comments:

Switched off the strap and away she went.
Run
  • 2h 15m 1s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 10m 19s  min/mile
Comments:

I think Carrie busted it out and did great, much thanks to her for doing the race with me. Although having to circle around the finish line was a little bit a kick in the teeth she said... I just reminded her there was beer at the finish.
Post race
Event comments:

The post race music was a little rough, keep a DJ on it's more fun for people IMHO. I realize seafood is a big deal but the shrimp creole looked fairly disgusting as a post race food, I went ahead and shelled out the csh for chic-fil-a.

Overall a great race with a great atmosphere I will be doing it again, next time the whole thing on my own.




Last updated: 2012-01-12 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:36:05 | 2112 yards | 01m 43s / 100yards
Age Group: 3/8
Overall: 77/207
Performance: Good
Suit: Xterra Vortex wetsuit
Course: Two loops of the lake.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 75F / 24C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 03:21
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
02:52:57 | 56 miles | 19.43 mile/hr
Age Group: 3/8
Overall: 159/207
Performance: Good
Avg HR: 164 Max 181 Broke it into 10 5.6 mile laps 1. 19.6 avg speed, 80 avg cadence, 172 avg HR 2. 19.1 86 167 3. 19 167 83 4. 18.9 86 168 5. 20.1 88 169 6. 20.7 86 169 7. 20.1 89 169 8. 19.5 87 172 9. 18.6 83 170 10.17.4 81 171
Wind: Some
Course: Point to point course on mostly flat well maintained roads. Open to traffic, aid stations at 15, 30, and 45.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 85
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 00:38
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
02:15:01 | 13.1 miles | 10m 19s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/8
Overall: 0/207
Performance:
Course: 2 Loop out and back course on sidewalks.
Keeping cool Drinking
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2012-04-22 8:30 AM

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Coastal Carolina
Subject: TryCharleston Half


2012-04-22 10:22 AM
in reply to: #4165187

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Master
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Central Kansas
Subject: RE: TryCharleston Half
Fantastic job! I'm jealous of that swim and biking time. And your running partner did a great job, too.
2012-04-22 10:47 AM
in reply to: #4165187

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: TryCharleston Half

Great job, congratulations!

I agree, the band was not great.

2012-04-22 11:34 AM
in reply to: #4165347

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Master
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Subject: RE: TryCharleston Half
Great report and race!  Awesome job on the swim!
2012-04-22 12:08 PM
in reply to: #4165187

Veteran
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Hoosier heartland
Subject: RE: TryCharleston Half
Super fantastic job!!  I'm so impressed with you and your race partner.  Great job on the swim and bike.  Sub 6 hour HIM is awesome!!!  
2012-04-23 10:09 AM
in reply to: #4165440

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Master
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Raleigh, NC area
Subject: RE: TryCharleston Half

Great job!

How were the road conditions?



2012-04-23 4:54 PM
in reply to: #4165187

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Coastal Carolina
Subject: RE: TryCharleston Half
Very good overall, some rough patches of hwy 17 but nothing bad. A lot of the roads were newly or recently repaved.
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