TriAmerica Series: Short Course
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TriAmerica Series: Short Course - TriathlonOther
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Swim
Comments: This was the biggest learning moment of the event. I waded out, allowing the faster swimmers to get in front. It's been said a million times that the pool just can't prepare you for these open water swims, and I learned that quickly. When I hit that water to for the swim I think the shock of the cold water (relatively speaking) coupled with the limited visibility, the mass of people, and my adrenaline just overtook me. I just felt a panic as I started to swim. Very freaky feeling. I was a able to swim through it and settle down, but those first few minutes were intense. Because of the weather front moving in the lake was a bit choppy. A few times I caught water during my breathing because of the chop. Not a big problem though. I would periodically sight the buoys to make sure I was moving in a fairly straight line, and I made sure I didn't let my adrenaline get the better of me. I'd received a number of warnings about pushing it too much on the swim and I didn't want to spend all my energy of the first leg of the event. Other than walking like a drunken sailor, I came out of the water feeling very good. What would you do differently?: Obviously the next time I'll be better prepared for the initial experience of the mass start. Other than that, I just need to keep working on technique to increase speed. Transition 1
Comments: I wasn't worried about making time in the transition. That will come later. I walked/light jog to the transition area primarily because I wanted to get my legs back and make sure I was ready for the bike. Because I don't have the clip shoes for the bike (I just have the pedal cage) I put on my shocks and running shoes. Got some Gu and a few sips of Gatoraide and was off. What would you do differently?: As I progress I'll need to getting in and out quickly. Bike
Comments: Hard to compare because this was my first race, but I can say this about the course...it was wet! The storm front moved in during my bike and it started to rain at my 6 mile point and continued through much of the remainder of the event. A little lightning mixed in as well, but fortunately it didn't get too close or last long. As for the bike course, the hills were a bit brutal for a rookie. This was coupled with the fact that the first hill came right out of the transition area and another came out of a 90 degree turn, meaning I had almost no momentum going into the climb. Interestingly enough, though, the hills were where I made the few passes I had during the ride. I feel like I handled them well, but they were no fun. On the flip side, coming down those hills on the wet pavement was nice, if not a bit nerve racking. Overall, though, with everything considered I was pleased with how I handled the bike course and maintained a pretty good pace for me. I expected the wind to be more of an issue but, other than some strong cross winds, I was never to aware of the wind....possibly because I was more focused on the rain and those stinkin hills! What would you do differently?: Other than get my own bike, like the other events I just need to continue to work on endurance and speed. It also wouldn't hurt to find somewhere locally to ride where I would have to tackle a few hills. Transition 2
Comments: By the time I hit this point it was absolutely pouring. I had thought about putting on a dry pair of socks, but I realized that was pointless. I racked my bike, got some more Gu, and made a quick trip to the Port-O-Let. What would you do differently?: See previous comments. Run
Comments: Got lesson #2 here. As I was starting my run some of the athletes were beginning to finish, and as I ran by the finish gate I heard the announcer tell the runners to turn their numbers forward so they could be identified. It was then it dawned on me...I forgot to put on my race belt! Normally it would have been out in the transition area, but because of the horrible weather I had placed it inside my bag. I'd completely forgotten about it. So I turned around and went back (I was a couple hundred yards away). The race officials allowed me to circumvent the gate so as not to screw up the time recording. In hindsight this gave me a little more time to get my legs back. As I started again my brother was finishing, but they incorrectly announced his name as mine. Kinda surreal hearing your name announced as finishing before you've even started the run! The 4.7 miles was, as running is for me, a mental game. I kept reminding myself how hard I worked and the promise I'd made to myself to finish this event without stopping. I felt like I was running slow, but I was maintaining a consistent, even pace. Once I hit the turn around I knew I was now working back to the finish that that was a mental boost. The last mile was a bit tough, but there was no way on this earth I was stopping that close to the finish. For five months I've visualized crossing that finish line, and it was as great an emotional high as I'd imagined it would be! What would you do differently?: I just need to train more and improve both endurance and pace. Post race
Warm down: Light stretching. Got some food and water. What limited your ability to perform faster: Ability! Event comments: This was a great experience. Six months ago this would have been inconceivable for me. Simply to finish, and do so with a smile on my face, was a tremendous achievement and I am proud of that. The weather made it an event to remember, but I'm glad we got it in. I can't wait for the next one! Also, I've got to hand it to the race volunteers, especially the folks on the course at the turns and handing out water/gatoraid. They stood in the downpour the entire time. As least the athletes were moving and wearing tri suits (and thank God for those) that didn't hold the water. Hats off to the voluteers who sucked it up and stuck it out!!! Last updated: 2007-01-03 12:00 AM
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2007-04-16 8:46 AM |
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2007-04-16 9:18 AM in reply to: #762711 |
2007-04-16 9:23 AM in reply to: #762711 |
2007-04-16 9:35 AM in reply to: #762711 |
2007-04-16 9:56 AM in reply to: #762711 |
2007-04-16 11:33 AM in reply to: #762711 |
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2007-04-16 1:44 PM in reply to: #763101 |
2007-04-16 9:11 PM in reply to: #762711 |
General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
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United States
TriAmerica
75F / 24C
Precipitation
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 30-39
Age Group Rank = 0/
Found my spot on the rack and began setting up. Fortunately my brother and I were assigned spots next to each other so he helped me lay everything out so as to minimize transition time. I did have to go back to my vehicle and hunt for my swim cap because I had forgotten to transfer that to my bag the night before. Lesson #1.
Did some stretching and then watched the first waves go off.