USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals Sprint
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USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals Sprint - Triathlon
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Swim
Comments: This water was cold. It really took my breath away during warmups. It actually made me a little dizzy walking to the swim start. I positioned myself closer to the far side of the wave so I could have some smooth water to work in. Waiting for the start was tough because the pontoon was high and there was nothing to push off of. I got my feet up and planned to push off the best I could. I was able to do this for the start but took in some water in my one lense. No worries, I still have a good one, the water was clean and it was fresh water. My first 200 was solid and I was making a beeline to the bridge ahead of the bulk of the crowd. I was a little behind the lead pack, but well ahead of the chase group, so I was able to really swim my own race. Felt strong throughout. What would you do differently?: Not much -- maybe move a little closer to the main group to start. I came out of the swim :52 behind the AG leader Transition 1
Comments: This transition area was HUGE. A bit of an issue getting the suit off my heals, but grabbed my bike and went. Was able to pass 2 guys in T1. Hoped on my bike, rode with my feet on my shoes until out of the curves -- slipped them in and went to town. 6th fastest T1 in my AG What would you do differently?: Nothing really -- maybe a little faster on the run to transition. Bike
Comments: This was nationals, so I knew I had to give it my all and leave it on the course. My bike was solid and I was making up some ground on a few people in front of me. Around mile 9, a group of 2 riders passed me riding awfully close together. I stuck with them, keeping my distance. Soon there was nearly 5 of us riding in close proximity. I stayed on the tail end as a course marshal pulled up on their motorcycle. At the turn around, I held in the back and watched as an array of rules were being broken. I was just behind the referee and say him writing some things down -- someone got nailed. I stayed in the back as the other 4 were in a line with eventual near perfect spacing to not be drafting and decided to try something I had always wanted to do. I gathered my strength and decided to make a full on push to pass all 4 of them and keep going. I was able to do this and put some distance between them but ran out of gas towards the end of the climb. I was passed by 3 of the 4, and followed them into transition from a safe distance. Headed into T2 in 6th place -- 1 spot out of awards. 2:05 back from AG leader What would you do differently?: I have been really working my bike this year and couldn't have asked for much more. Last year I was usually MOP biker (30-40%). This year I have been able to push closer to the front. There is still more work to be done, but the immediate results are encouraging. Transition 2
Comments: I had made the decision to go sockless and save some time. I got one foot in no problem, but had trouble even holding the back of my other shoe. I was starting to feel the bike. Got my foot in, felt my insoles were bunched up, but went for it. 9th for AG, What would you do differently?: Gotta do something about the insoles. Run
Comments: Normally my run is my strongest part, but I was cooked. I gave it what I had and was able to pass the guy in 5th around the first mile. I was on the podium, but for how long? I knew there was some guys within about about 30 seconds of me on the bike, so I kept it moving. I saw some strong runners at the turn around and gauged I had about 75 seconds on them with 3 miles to go. I was flat though, didn't have anything left to pick up my speed. I was about 40 seconds back on 4th place, and at the 2nd mile saw I had around 45+ on 6th. All I had to do was keep my pace and I was going to be on the podium. I came into the finish shoot and was thrilled to be done -- 3:15 down from the AG winner and aboout :30 up on 6th place. I was totally cooked and had nothing left. hing. This was the first race I have done that I truly felt like I had nothing left. My wife said I looked pretty defeated coming into the finish. I was still in shock about what had happened. I finished top 5 in my age group at nationals against some of the fastest in the country and 51st overall and qualified for 2016 Worlds. 2 years ago, I did my first local race and finished 4th in my AG, and 19/100. Today I finished my 11th triathlon and finished 4th in my AG (remember that penalty I saw issued) against some of the top AGers in the country. A truly humbling experience. What would you do differently?: Nothing. Post race
Warm down: Nothing. Showered, got ready for awards then drove 15 hours home! What limited your ability to perform faster: Training and work. I do landscaping so after 10-12 hours in the heat, it makes it tough some days to come home and train. I know where I stand against the best of the best, so I there is much work to be done. Event comments: AG Nationals -- hands down the best run race I have ever been to. Worth the experience. Last updated: 2015-07-28 12:00 AM
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2015-08-10 6:23 PM |
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2015-08-11 9:25 AM in reply to: #5134209 |
2015-08-11 2:19 PM in reply to: 0 |
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United States
65F / 18C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 51/1673
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 4/67
Up at 3:30, oatmeal, warm up run, wake the body -- get down to transition around 6, prep bike, spend time with wife, get read
I had set a goal of top 10 in AG for this race with a stretch goal of top 5 in AG. I had been racing well at some larger regional races, so I was excited to go head to head with some of the best throughout the country.
Some light jogging. The water was going to be cold, so I tried to stay as bundled up as I could before.