General Discussion Race Reports! » Moab Road Olympic Triathlon Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply

Moab Road Olympic Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Moab, Utah
United States
TriUtah
80F / 27C
Sunny
Total Time = 4h 55m 58s
Overall Rank = 52/53
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 3/3
Pre-race routine:

Drove to Moab on Friday and got checked into the cabin. Went for dinner at one of our favorite spots. I ordered the lasagna, and it was amazing. Then we went for a drive to see the sites then headed back to the room so I could re-organize my race stuff.

Went to bed at about 10 but didn't get much sleep. The psycho air conditioning unit kept waking me and the pre-race jitters made it tough to get back to sleep when I was awakened. Didn't stress me too bad though. I wasn't concerned about the sleep loss and just tried to relax and get back to sleep.

Alarm went off at 5 and I grabbed my last minute items, DH topped off the tires and loaded the bike on the rack and I was set to go.
Event warmup:

Had a bagel slim with some peanut butter and half of a gas station coffee (ugh). Once I got to the race site I switched to FRS. Not a lot of warm up. Just worked on stretching my arms.

About 10 minutes before my wave started I loaded in to my wet suit and headed down the beach.
Swim
  • 42m 34s
  • 1640 yards
  • 02m 35s / 100 yards
Comments:

Started out well. OWS practice definitely helped. The swim to the first buoy was good but after that I was being blown off course. I went to sighting every 8 instead of 12 and felt like my sighting was strong but still ended up going pretty wide. DH said was happening to others too. Maybe those of us who weren't in the lead pack.

Also the water was choppy, had some trouble getting a good breath after the first buoy.
What would you do differently?:

I don't know, maybe try to practice in choppy water. Not really use to that.
Transition 1
  • 05m 56s
Comments:

Long time was a combination of a long run up from the beach, taking of a wetsuit standing in sand, helping a first timer, and dealing with getting a bike off of a rack that was too high. All of the bikes were dangling so it was hard to remove the bike without hitting others and I had a large bag where I would normally stand to try to keep my bike from twisting in the wind.

After the run through the sand to the mount line I hopped on and realized i'd forgotten to leave my bike in an easy gear (I'd had it on the big ring to look cool on the bike rack)
What would you do differently?:

Remeber to change my gears, maybe handle the bag differently. So much that went wrong today was due to fluke circumstances which are difficult to plan/prepare/train for.
Bike
  • 2h 05m 1s
  • 24.85 miles
  • 11.93 mile/hr
Comments:

The bike started going down a decline on very rough/patched roads, off to a fairly good start other than the rough road. After the turn-around the work started. It was a 1700 foot climb over 12 miles. That would probably have been a nice ride save for the sustained 25 mph winds. By the summit of the 12 miles I was so tired of hills!

I'd planned to take in some nutrition on the bike. I ate two/fourths of a honey stinger waffle while going down hill. I'd planned to take in more but once I started dealing with the wind my stomach didn't want to eat any more.

I started having trouble breathing too. For the first six miles or so of the climb I was tired but feeling like I could finish strong. By the time I got to the top I was looking forward to the downhill but concerned about having anything in the tank for a 6.8 mile run.

The down hill rocked! I tucked in, grabbed a big gear and headed down with the wind at my back. GPS would have been fun to see the speed difference between the uphill (5 mph at times) and down (max on cyclocomputer is 37!)

While cruising downhill I felt "validated" I felt like although it had been tough I had finished the 12 mile climb in the wind! I thought I'm no longer a poser!
What would you do differently?:

Again, it was a fluke race. I train on hills and I train in the wind but 12 miles uphill into those winds is hard to train for! Maybe simulate it on the drainer, but hopefully I won't deal with this often!
Transition 2
  • 03m 31s
Comments:

By this time I was mentally and physically exhausted. That coupled with trying to get my bike back on the too-high rack and I thought I was going to throw in the towell. I hit my head on the skewer of the next bike and just about lost it. I almost cried in transition! My DH and adult son were there (one benefit of a small transition area) and they told me to relax and just start out easy. So I did.
What would you do differently?:

?
Run
  • 1h 58m 54s
  • 6.8 miles
  • 17m 29s  min/mile
Comments:

I started slow and walked more than I'd care to admit. It would have been a pretty run save for the prior events. The first water station was about a mile in but felt closer to 3. I knew going in that the run was Xterra but wasn't expecting it to be quite so mountain-goat-esque. My exhasted legs and troubled breathing were not conducive for this running.

My DH and son came around the lake to cheer me on at about the 2 mile spot. On the first lap I was trying to convince myself to just quit and verbalized this to my son. Told him I didn't deserve the finisher medal anyway. My son knows me too well. He told me I don't quit. Back to the run/walk. The validation feeling from the bike had turned to a walk of shame.

The first time on the dam I hooked up with 24 year old Amanda. We hung together until about the last mile. I had nothing more and Amanda wanted to run. I did run part of the dam and, of course, I ran the last half mile or so.
What would you do differently?:

Oh where to begin...

I train in the heat. I live in the desert! But today it was desert 1, tj 0.

I couldn't go easier on the bike to save something for the legs, so?
Post race
Warm down:

I hobbled to a cooler to sit down and my DH brought me a water and a gatorade.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Heat, wind, need to train "tougher"

Event comments:

There were almost no volunteers on the bike course. There was one at the turn to the main road, one at the lower turn and one at the upper turn, not even one at the turnaround, just a sign. Probably not a big deal as it was a straight shot. They advertised an aid station on the bike which was not there, after that climb some people probably could have used it.

The TriUtah people were wonderful and I would gladly do another one of their races, but probably not this one! Might consider the sprint because my son wants to do the Xterra sport next year.

A grueling day to be sure.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2012-02-23 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:42:34 | 1640 yards | 02m 35s / 100yards
Age Group: 3/3
Overall: 0/53
Performance: Average
Suit: Tri top & shorts, Zoot wetsuit
Course: Two laps, counter clockwise around a triangle shaped course.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 63F / 17C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Bad
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 05:56
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Below average Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
02:05:01 | 24.85 miles | 11.93 mile/hr
Age Group: 3/3
Overall: 0/53
Performance: Bad
Wind: Headwind
Course: From the lake we went north a few miles to a turnaround then went past the lake and beyond to another turnaround, then back to the lake. Because this is an Xterra tri and a road tri the dismount spot was between the two which required the bikes (mtn & road/tri) to ride through thick, fine sand to get to the dismount. Most of the road/tri bikes dismounted at the pavement and ran/carried their bikes to the dismount then in to transition.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Bad
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 03:31
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Bad
Jumping off bike Bad
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Below average
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
01:58:54 | 06.8 miles | 17m 29s  min/mile
Age Group: 3/3
Overall: 0/53
Performance: Bad
Course: Two laps on an offroad course. It went uphill on a single track trail then wound through the desert and came back to and over the dam.
Keeping cool Bad Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? No
Evaluation
Course challenge Too hard
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3

{postbutton}
2012-06-09 11:27 PM

User image

Master
6595
50001000500252525
Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon


2012-06-09 11:57 PM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Elite
4435
2000200010010010010025
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon

methinks you're a little tough on yourself, your own worst critic!  Sounds like a tough day at the office and you shone through.

Lots of suck it up princess and do what has to be done.  Cairns same for me - unexpected hills and heat!  Can we train harder and better - ALWAYS. 

You got through it with grace and aplomb (what a word!).  Well done, be proud, lots of people on the couch wouldn't dream of doing what we do.

You my friend are a triathlete.

2012-06-10 6:30 AM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Master
6834
5000100050010010010025
Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon
TJ, that ride sounds brutal, and yet you toughed it out and pushed on into a run that was even more challenging. You adjusted and pushed through. And that speaks volumes about who you are. How nice that your DH and son were there, and that your son is looking at the Xterra event. Congratulations on toughing the whole thing out!
2012-06-10 8:57 AM
in reply to: #4253683

User image

Master
2770
20005001001002525
Central Kansas
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon

What is it with hotel air conditioning systems -- so loud, clangy, vibrating. They drive me batty.

I think you did an awesome job on a difficult course in difficult conditions. Wind is no joke and wind with a stead 12 mile climb is crazy hard.

I remember how wasted my legs were in Emporia earlier this year after the brutal (extremely short -- 12 mile) bike ride. Walking most of a difficult run after a tough bike is no shame.

Hold on to the good feelings you had about yourself and the race. You worked hard and did a great job.

2012-06-10 10:51 AM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Coastal Carolina
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon
Well Done!  Wind and hills are no fun good job on pushing through to the end Triathlete!
2012-06-10 12:14 PM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon

Brutal day, tough course but you were TOUGHER. CONGRATULATIONS, TJ!

Triathlon has a funny way of making you do things like hit your head on a skewer when you've just had it ... you just laugh or cry and go on. Way to go on!



2012-06-10 12:50 PM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Master
6595
50001000500252525
Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon
And I wasn't DFL! Close, but with 53 ppl doing the OLY i'll take it.
2012-06-10 6:02 PM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon
Congratulations on rocking a tough race!  I definitely agree that you are being too tough on yourself.  You did great!
2012-06-11 5:24 AM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Member
892
500100100100252525
England
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon
nice one TJ. When i think of a tough race, it's the conditions that scare me as much as the distance. You swam further than i ever have, biked further than i ever have and then ran my biggest distance ever. AND you did it all in harsh conditions. I take my hat off to you. Well done indeed.
2012-06-11 10:05 AM
in reply to: #4254740

User image

Master
9705
500020002000500100100
Raleigh, NC area
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon
Wow!  Way to HTFU on a really tough course!  Nice finish!
2012-06-11 9:26 PM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Expert
924
500100100100100
Western WI
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon
Tough conditions, TJ - you're a super stud!  I'm really impressed with your HTFU and keepin on.  AND - the fact that you helped out others too!!  I think you should be proud of the effort you put in as you are one of few who could even handle that type of course!  Way to go in the choppy water, on the monster climb, and on that damn dam!  Seriously, good work, TJ.  Good, good work.


2012-06-12 2:37 PM
in reply to: #4253623

User image

Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Moab Road Olympic Triathlon
Love your write-up, especially the parts where your family was there to support you, cheer you, and keep you motivated and moving forward.  Awesome!!  The sand and wind do not sound like fun.  Great job, way to persevere!
General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » Moab Road Olympic Triathlon Rss Feed