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The Lowell Mill City Triathlon - TriathlonSprint


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Lowell, Massachusetts
United States
80F / 27C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 44m 3s
Overall Rank = 64/110
Age Group = F30-34
Age Group Rank = 6/11
Pre-race routine:

Woke up, ate 1/2 bagel w/ cream cheese, drank coffee, water, gatorade. Took an Advil. Drove to race site. Signed up. Set up transition area. Put my frozen water bottle on the bike, figured by the time I ride, it'd still be cold. Saw Joanne (Tri_again) and chatted with her. Talked with some TriFury people.
Event warmup:

Jogged a bit, went in water to test temp, which was pretty warm.
Swim
  • 15m 5s
  • 550 yards
  • 02m 44s / 100 yards
Comments:

Followed OnTheRun's suggestion and wore the wetsuit to save some energy up stream. Felt too warm. Wave started every 3 minutes. We were the 2nd wave. While waiting for the start, heard the announcement of "no punching and no kicking to fellow swimmers". I said "how's about head butting?". A guy in front of me answered "that's like in soccer".

Race started. Timing chip got loose. Took some time to fasten it properly. Choked on water. Water was muddy and difficult to navigate. Sighting by looking at the shoreline. Start noticing some yellow caps (1st waves) around and was happy. Then saw some orange caps (3rd wave). Began to think I might be swimming too slowly. Tried to pull harder. Reminded myself I was swimming against the current for the 1st half. Rounded bouy and started to flow down stream. Saw swim end, got up, unzipped wetsuit while running. Official time showed 18:xx, minus 3 min and my swim time was a bit more than 15 min.
What would you do differently?:

Try to draft more. People were all over the place. Got hit/kicked on the head, shoulder, arms, legs and feet.
Transition 1
  • 00m
Comments:

Ran from beach, across Rte 113 (with police directing traffic) to the TA. Pulled out wetsuit, wiped feet, socks on, shoes on, sunglasses on, helmet on. Swollowed some Gu while walking the bike to the mount area. Mounted. Off we go.
What would you do differently?:

Learn how to use the new HRM to get splits.
Need to learn how to jump onto a moving bike and start riding.
Bike
  • 43m 20s
  • 13 miles
  • 18.00 mile/hr
Comments:

Passed a few people on mountain bikes at the very beginning. For about 1.5 mile I was the only biker on the road. The idea of taking the wrong turn haunted me. The bike course overlapped with the run course. Asked a volunteer (age 10?) if I'm in the right palce and she said yes. Then got passed by some people, and saw volunteers at turns. Guess I was ok. Focused on maintaining cadance at 85+ on the flat. Didn't really hit the brake at downhills :) Ate the remaining of the Gu at around 30 min of the ride, and drank some water, which was still pretty cool. Passed 6 people. Passed BY 12 people.
What would you do differently?:

I'm very happy with my pace. Bike computer showed 43:20 over 12.5 mi. PB here at 17.3 mph.
Transition 2
  • 00m
Comments:

Love my yankz :)
What would you do differently?:

Need to learn how to jump off a moving bike.
Run
  • 43m 33s
  • 4 miles
  • 10m 53s  min/mile
Comments:

Tried to keep my pace despite jelly legs/butt. Felt very slow. Saw Melissa (ms09873) on the course. She recognized my BT tri shorts. :) Ran with her for a short while.
The course felt long, as it was a 4 mi run, not the usual 3 mi for sprints. Had to run on the grass for a while, even though it makes me slower, so that I get some shades. Also it's softer for my lower back (due to certain monthly routine) A guy who passed me said he wished there was a "run current" like those in the swim. Ran the whole course, only to take a few steps at (every) water stations. Did I say it was hot?
What would you do differently?:

Practice the bike/run brick more.
Learn how to use the new HRM to get splits.
Post race
Warm down:

Stayed by the TriFury tent to get some cover from the sun. Took my time to clean up the TA and walked my bike back to car. Grabbed some orange, watermelon and 1/2 bagel with peanut butter. Hung out with more TriFury people. Got a TriFury t-shirt. Oh.. didn't get the race t-shirt! Coz I sign up this morning. Never mind.
Waited to see my overall time and headed home.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

heat.
My certain monthly routine that gives me cramp and lower back soreness. Or should I say being a female?
Longer run course. Felt like it would never end.

Event comments:

A relatively small race. Nice.




Last updated: 2006-07-06 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:15:05 | 550 yards | 02m 44s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/11
Overall: 43/110
Performance: Average
10:31 to turning point (against current), some 5 min back.
Suit: yes
Course: On Merrimack River along the shore line
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 74F / 23C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 00:00
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: No
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
00:43:20 | 13 miles | 18.00 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/11
Overall: 64/110
Performance: Good
official time including T1 and T2 = 45:26
Wind: Little
Course: Followed Rte 113. Rolling hills.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 75
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 00:00
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:43:33 | 04 miles | 10m 53s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/11
Overall: 78/110
Performance:
Course: On Rte 113. Hot. Virtually no shade.
Keeping cool 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: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3

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2006-07-16 2:59 PM

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Pro
4612
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MA
Subject: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon


2006-07-16 5:17 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Master
2136
200010025
A Prairie Home
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
Nice race.
2006-07-16 6:23 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Resident Matriarch
N 43° 32.927 W 071° 24.431
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon

nice race DK!  Did you just decide at the last minute to go do it?  Very nice that they had race day registration.  Your times are great!

Yeah, I was less than happy with today's race myself.  I never did see Jorge.

2006-07-16 9:43 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon

Denise....great race and congrats on PB on the bike!! All your hard work including bike commuting is paying off!

MOP is fantastic...wish I was there more often!

Nice job all around..it was brutal hot there today...which makes it more challenging!

You Rock DK!

2006-07-16 10:28 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Extreme Veteran
532
50025
Plymouth MA
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon

Great race today Denise. It was so hot.   I felt bad for everyone racing today. Too bad you didn't get the tshirt.

Did you like this race enough to do it again?

2006-07-17 5:02 AM
in reply to: #483915

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Expert
702
500100100
Manchester, NH
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon

Great job!

MMMM YUMMM.... Nothin' like a little muddy Merrimack for breakfast!

Did you like this race?  I was THIS close to doing it as well.  Should I make it a priority next year?



2006-07-17 5:46 AM
in reply to: #483915

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Extreme Veteran
586
500252525
Waterboro, Maine
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
What a hot day to do a triathlon! The heat will really suck your energy, so your times look great for a steamy day!
2006-07-17 8:19 AM
in reply to: #483915

Pro
3903
20001000500100100100100
Andover
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
Woo hoo... Nice race and how 'bout that bike split???

"Got hit/kicked on the head, shoulder, arms, legs and feet..." Well, at least you didn't get kicked in the arse!

Keep up the good work!
2006-07-17 8:53 AM
in reply to: #483915

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Champion
11641
50005000100050010025
Fairport, NY
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon

Good job DK. You really swam in the Merrimack river!?!?!

 

2006-07-17 9:47 AM
in reply to: #483915

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Elite
3201
20001000100100
South Florida
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
Nice race!  You are getting so fast on the bike!  I can't believe you swam in the Merrimack though.  That might be scarier to me than swimming in the ocean.
2006-07-17 10:24 AM
in reply to: #483915

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Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
awesome job and congrats on the bike PR. It was VERY hot yesterday so your effort counts double in my book!


2006-07-18 8:53 AM
in reply to: #483915

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Expert
770
5001001002525
acton, Ma
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
Nice job!  It's funny you and I had the same feeling on the bike (am I lost??)  Where was the watermelon and bagels?   Did I miss something?
2006-07-18 1:45 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Expert
1152
10001002525
wrightsville beach, North Carolina
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
Congrats DK!!!!!! sounds like you had fun!!
2006-07-18 5:26 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Champion
8766
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
GREAT race, DK!  Fab bike split!
2006-07-18 5:29 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
Awesome Job DK   Congrats
2006-07-18 7:59 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Master
1946
100050010010010010025
Bronze member
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
Congrats DK! NICE bike time and you get a major BT hug for swinmming in the Merimac for sure- And it was SUCH a cooking hot day! You are really doing fabulous work training- only 2 weeks til Danskin, right?Good race.


2006-07-19 6:23 PM
in reply to: #483915

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Frugal Gear Geek
2199
2000100252525
having fun with the kids
Subject: RE: The Lowell Mill City Triathlon
Ok, never thought it would be 90 at race time when I said wear the wet suit. Hope it helped in the water anyway. Great job, especialy with all the currnents and stuff. Love seeing all the progress on the bike. I guess DZ and I draged you out enough
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