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Onion Man Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


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Walla Walla, Washington
United States
Walla Walla Multisports
65F / 18C
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 32m 54s
Overall Rank = 217/223
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 12/12
Pre-race routine:

Had coffee and toast with almond butter. Then drove the 40 minutes to Walla Walla.
Event warmup:

Short out and back swim in Bennington Lake before the swim start
Swim
  • 26m 29s
  • 1640 yards
  • 01m 37s / 100 yards
Comments:

Swim was definitely short, but even so this was the best part of my race. I have been having trouble with chlorine allergies, so haven't been swimming much. I decided going into this that I would just take it easy and steady. I did that, found a nice rhythm with my strokes and sighting, and remained calm and consistent until rounding the last buoy where I drove it home. Kept swimming until my hands touched and then jogged up the ramp while removing my cap/goggles and top of my wetsuit. Loved the swim!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing
Transition 1
  • 03m 13s
Comments:

It was windy and cold before the swim start, so I had a jacket to put on in transition. The sun had come out by the end of the swim, and I debated for a few seconds whether to put the jacket on, then decided to go ahead and put it on rather than waste the time trying to decide. Turns out I didn't really need it.

I decided not to use my Garmin this race, which was one less thing to think about in transition. Overall, I think this went OK. Not my fastest transition, but not bad for not having done one for three years.
What would you do differently?:

Skip the jacket
Bike
  • 1h 41m 12s
  • 24.85 miles
  • 14.73 mile/hr
Comments:

Got passed a lot on the the way out (uphill), which is pretty typical for me. I did pass several people on the way back while flying downhill, fun!
What would you do differently?:

Just need more bike training. It is definitely my weakest sport, and I think that's what kills my run too.
Transition 2
  • 02m 5s
Comments:

Went pretty smoothly, but I didn't really hurry
What would you do differently?:

hurry up a bit more
Run
  • 1h 19m 54s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 12m 52s  min/mile
Comments:

I really wanted to run the entire run, since this is something I have yet to nail in a tri. Within the first .5 mile I knew that was just not going to happen. My achilles were super tight, my calves were cramping, and it had become warm and sunny. I walked up one of the first hills and ate a gel. Then tried to run again, but my legs just weren't allowing it.

I ended up walking a large portion of this run, attempting to run occasionally until my lower leg pain was just unbearable. I did manage to run the last mile and had to dodge two snakes on the dirt trail near the finish line.

Even though I ended up walking a bunch, I managed to keep a positive attitude and not question why I was doing this. That at least is a win for me.
What would you do differently?:

I have found that I am sensitive to nightshades, and will be extra careful not to eat any in the weeks before a race. I think that contributed to the achilles/calf issue. Also, I need to work on my bike fitnes so that I'm not already trashed going into the run.
Post race
Warm down:

Got a bottle of water, and drove back to Walla Walla, so I could get a shower before driving to Portland for my flight to Louisiana. It was a crazy, busy day.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Achilles/calf issues, and lack of bike fitness

Event comments:

Love this venue. It's a fun course and well organized, plus has a great Barbecue afterwards if you have the time to stick around.




Last updated: 2012-03-21 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:26:29 | 1640 yards | 01m 37s / 100yards
Age Group: 10/12
Overall: 203/223
Performance: Good
Suit: Vortex full
Course: 2 loops in Bennington Lake
Start type: Wade Plus: Shot
Water temp: 61F / 16C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Average Navigation: Average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 03:13
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike:
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:41:12 | 24.85 miles | 14.73 mile/hr
Age Group: 12/12
Overall: 225/223
Performance: Average
Wind: Strong with gusts
Course: Out and back with hills and false flats
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Average Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:05
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Average
Shoe and helmet removal Average
Running
01:19:54 | 06.21 miles | 12m 52s  min/mile
Age Group: 12/12
Overall: 229/223
Performance: Below average
Course: Out and back, mostly on paved trail, with some dirt trail and a few short hills
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
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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2012-06-04 10:17 AM

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Master
2005
2000
Silverton, Oregon
Subject: Onion Man Triathlon


2012-06-04 2:45 PM
in reply to: #4243088

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Regular
641
50010025
Chicago
Subject: RE: Onion Man Triathlon
First tri in 3 years? You did great! Great job keeping a positive attitude.
2012-06-05 9:31 PM
in reply to: #4243088

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Royal(PITA)
14270
50005000200020001001002525
West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Onion Man Triathlon

You really nailed the swim!  akeeping a good attitude is a great thing, especially on race day.

2012-06-06 4:51 AM
in reply to: #4243088

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Expert
1038
100025
Noosa
Subject: RE: Onion Man Triathlon
Well done! What's the cause of the Achiles problems? Glad you enjoyed your return to tri!
2012-06-06 1:49 PM
in reply to: #4243088

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Master
2005
2000
Silverton, Oregon
Subject: RE: Onion Man Triathlon

Thanks! I am thoroughly hooked once again

David- I've had chronic Achilles/Soleus issues for about 20 years. Strangely enough... the only thing I've found that helps is avoiding night shade plants (potato, tomato, peppers). A few days before the race I inadvertently ate some, and it usually takes about 2 weeks for the effects to go away for me.

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