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El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course - Triathlon


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El Dorado, Kansas
United States
Oz Endurance LLC.
85F / 29C
Overcast
Total Time = 3h 20m 47s
Overall Rank = 52/63
Age Group = 50-54
Age Group Rank = 3/6
Pre-race routine:

The day before the race, we drove back up to Kansas from Austin, Texas. This concerned me, but there wasn't anything I could do about it, so it had to be. I was hoping to get a short swim in after we reached the hotel, but there was no pool. (Hubby makes hotel reservations.)

I ended up getting to sleep before 11:00 p.m., and slept really well (Thank you, Benadryl.)

I woke up before the alarm, at 4:30, and went ahead and got up. Ate my oatmeal and had some decaf, then drove the 20 minutes or so to the lake.
Event warmup:

I swam a little, but not much. Mostly I just walked through the race in my mind and made sure I knew how to manage transition.
Swim
  • 31m 22s
  • 1500 meters
  • 02m 05s / 100 meters
Comments:

I'm positive this swim is short, but I'm not sure by how much.

I did a fantastic job sighting, sighting every five strokes on the first lap, but trusting myself more on the second, sighting every ten-twelve strokes.

We have to run out on the beach for 10-15 yards between the loops, and I responded to that differently than I thought I would. I thought it would be a break that would help me, but it raised my heart rate and made me very uncomfortable for the first 100 yards or so on the second lap.

Even, so, I love OWS. Really love it.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. I enjoyed the swim. I could practice running around for 30 seconds between sets, but I'm not going to bother doing that.
Transition 1
  • 00m 57s
Comments:

I didn't realize I was so fast here. I had the 14th fastest T1 time. Some time I will no longer be surprised that people sit down in transition to put their shoes on.
What would you do differently?:

Nada.
Bike
  • 1h 39m 40s
  • 24.85 miles
  • 14.96 mile/hr
Comments:

This was a miserable ride. I questioned why I was doing it at all. At one point, the gusts were so bad, I fully expected to be blown off the road. I wondered at what point if they would just call the ride over and come pick us all up. It didn't help that the roads were in horrible shape. It turns out that the riding I did in Austin on the unpaved trails wasn't bad training for this ride.

The roads in the race were all paved, but some places were paved extremely poorly.

To top it off, I dropped my chain for no reason I can think of. I don't know if I was trying to shift when I hit a rough spot. My hands were filthy, which figures into my time in T2.
What would you do differently?:

I don't know what I'm doing wrong on the bike. I know conditions were bad, but I was 1.50 mph slower this year than last. But this ride felt so much harder.
Transition 2
  • 02m 20s
Comments:

I had make up remover wipes with me, so I took the time to clean off my hands. I knew I was taking forever here, but it had to be done.

This time was 60/63. Ridiculous.
What would you do differently?:

Not drop my chain and mess up my hands.
Run
  • 1h 06m 29s
  • 6.2 miles
  • 10m 40s  min/mile
Comments:

Everything was going fine until I was crossing a wooden bridge at the end of the first lap and tripped. I went down hard. I wanted to cry. A volunteer was right there and helped me up, and I kept going, but I was in pain. No blood.

On the second lap I was hot and hurting. But I pulled myself together and had enough in the tank to pass a woman in my age group to make it 3rd in AG.

What would you do differently?:

Pick up my feet. Seriously.
Post race
Warm down:

My focus was to cool off. My head felt like it was going to explode. I ran through the finish, got rid of the timing chip, picked up my finishers medal, and went directly to the showers. Medical was helping one guy who was overcome by the heat. It was hot out there.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I don't know. There are so many things. I was hoping to finish my first Olympic in 3:30, so I had a very modest and safe goal. I didn't want to be last. And I wasn't, not even in my age group. My mantra on the bike and the run was "I'm not last. I'm not last."

My"if everything goes perfectly" goal was under 3:00. Only 38/63 races today managed that, so that wasn't a realistic goal for this race, but I still have it as a long-term goal. I can probably make most of that 20 minutes up on the bike.


Event comments:

This was my first sprint two summers ago, so I have sentimental feelings about this race. I know the route, and I'm very comfortable in the lake. But the road conditions took a lot out of me this morning. I don't know if I can do it again. I was seriously concerned if my bike could take it. The roads were that bad.

But the swim and run are great. I wish they could reroute the bike to avoid the poor roads.




Last updated: 2013-06-01 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:31:22 | 1500 meters | 02m 05s / 100meters
Age Group: 5/6
Overall: 55/63
Performance: Good
Suit: Orca Tri
Course: Two rectangular loops. The swim time includes a 100-150 yard run up a small hill to transition.
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 82F / 28C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 00:57
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:39:40 | 24.85 miles | 14.96 mile/hr
Age Group: 4/6
Overall: 53/63
Performance: Below average
Wind: Strong with gusts
Course: Two loops around the dam. Because of the spurs on this route and that we did the route twice, we had seven turn arounds and climbed the dam three times each loop.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 02:20
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
01:06:29 | 06.2 miles | 10m 40s  min/mile
Age Group: 3/6
Overall: 47/63
Performance: Average
Course: Two laps through the campgrounds.
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
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] 3

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2013-06-23 11:40 PM

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Master
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Central Kansas
Subject: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course


2013-06-24 5:24 AM
in reply to: #4785234

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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course

Great work.  I have never done a 2 loop swim, I would imagine the heart rate does spike a lot on that short run.  Crazy winds make for a hard ride on any day--let alone in a race.  Falling on the run had to be hard to overcome--but you did it.

 
Great work! 

2013-06-24 6:25 AM
in reply to: #4785234

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Master
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Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course

Great job on a tough bike course, it sounds miserable. I continue to be impressed that you even get on the bike in those types of winds. And a really nice swim for you, good job on the sighting! Top three in your AG, that is really cool as well. Congrats, and heal up!

2013-06-24 7:30 AM
in reply to: cdban66

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Master
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Gig Harbor
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course

"I was hoping to finish my first Olympic in 3:30,"

Congrats on reaching your goal.... That bike ride sounds brutal... way to tough it out and finish strong.  

2013-06-24 8:32 AM
in reply to: Muskrat37

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Master
9705
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Raleigh, NC area
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course

Great job in your first "real" Oly!  The two loop get out of the water between swim does not sound fun.  I've done two laps before but never had to get out in between.

2013-06-24 10:43 AM
in reply to: jmkizer

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Master
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Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course

WOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! PODIUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, you had a great race considering the wind, the road conditions and the fall! Sounds like the conditions affected everyone so don't be down about that!

Congrats!



2013-06-24 10:49 AM
in reply to: #4785234

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Champion
10550
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Austin, Texas
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course

Wow - great job, and HUGE CONGRATS on the podium finish!!! 

That is all kinds of awesomeness after a brutal ride and falling on the run course.  WAY TO GOOOOOO!!!!  :D

2013-06-24 11:04 AM
in reply to: blueyedbikergirl

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Expert
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Tallahassee
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
GREAT job and congrats on not quitting and I'm glad the wind didn't blow you off! GREAT job!
2013-06-24 12:12 PM
in reply to: #4785234

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Science Nerd
28760
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Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
Great job sticking through all the challenges and passing at the end!!
2013-06-24 2:14 PM
in reply to: Artemis

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Seattle
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
Awesome job!
2013-06-24 2:50 PM
in reply to: #4785234

Master
10208
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Northern IL
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
Nice job finishing up. Tougher days like this will make the good ones ahead seem that much better.


2013-06-25 6:37 AM
in reply to: brigby1

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Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
Nice job.  Wind on the bike sucks, so don't let it get you down too much.  I guarantee you were not the only one having negative thoughts in those type of winds.
2013-06-25 7:40 AM
in reply to: #4785234

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Veteran
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Houston, Texas
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
Way to push through a tough bike segment!  Windy days definitely make me question why I'm doing it as well, so good work pushing those thoughts away and finishing strong!
2013-06-25 7:49 AM
in reply to: #4785234

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Pro
4482
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NJ
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
Great job on a tough day. Sounds like you had to pull out the mental fitness in a big way. I was in KC earlier in the week and commented that I forgot how hot/windy/hilly Kansas is....no one really thinks of the prairie that way.  Nicely done!
2013-06-25 8:17 AM
in reply to: #4785234

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Master
2912
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...at home in The ATL
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
Congratulations on the strong finish, Felicia! You set the bar high on your first "official" Olympic though with a spot on the AG podium; we expect nothing less from here on out. Don't sweat the negative thoughts on the bike, especially in those conditions - we all go through that - you just have to remind yourself that on occasion. I always think of what Bryan Duun told us a while back: when conditions get like that you just have to hunker down and make as small a hole in the air as possible, no matter how slow you are going. Oh, and you should have received some sort of special medal for that T1 time - that absolutely rocked! The time you saved there over most everyone else was probably equal to months and months of training in the pool - you just cannot over look that. Now you just have to learn to get your chain back on the rings without stopping and getting off your bike....

Fantastic job - cannot wait to see what's next for you?

2013-06-25 11:32 AM
in reply to: #4785234

Subject: ...
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2013-06-25 11:57 AM
in reply to: TSimone

Veteran
2842
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Austin, Texas
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course

Terrific!

To come back from a tough bike (as has been said, wind SUX!) and a fall on the run (that'll shake you up) to run down another person in your AG for the podium?  Awesome.  Laughing

My first-ever Oly is coming up this weekend, so I'm going to try to channel some of your race-juju, including an insane T1!

Congrats on a great race.

Matt

2013-06-25 1:20 PM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: El Dorado Lake Triathlon - Olympic Course
Great job, Felicia, and yowza on having the power and determination to pass someone for 3rd even with an injured knee!  Nice job on the swim and the smokin' T1, very cool!
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