Tri the Parks - John Tanner State Park
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Tri the Parks - John Tanner State Park - TriathlonSprint
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Swim
Comments: Last year was 19:19 (3:04/100). That's a 19% improvement, in my first wetsuit swim. It did feel like it constricted some in my shoulders and across my chest, but I think that's just a matter of getting used to it. I actually had a real nice first 2/3 of the swim, and then my arms got tuckered out, I got a little dizzy, and spent some time enjoying the scenery and the fact that the waves behind me hadn't plowed through me as usual. It timed out well, as it let me get a little bit out of the way as the wave behind did come through, and left me fresh for T1. I won't know how the swim ranked with other folks until they post results, but it ranked really well against my other ttp swims. What would you do differently?: I'll get there. I'm getting much better at navigation, better at drafting, and better at sighting. I still suck at pacing myself at the start, so I wind myself a little. I'll get there, and I'm going to keep using the wetsuit (which at least is strengthening my arms some). Transition 1
Comments: Last year was 4:00, that's a 10% improvement the first time I took my wetsuit off by myself. I even got flustered because I didn't take off my ankle timing band, and I had images of tearing a big whole in the leg of the wetsuit. I pulled it off anyway (what do folks do about this? How about watches?). I don't mind having a slow T1, because my sprint T1 matches my long course T1 (drying off feet, putting on bodyglide and socks, getting some water, etc.). What would you do differently?: I need wetsuit experience, and I need to finally make two checklists: What I need to bring, and what I need to put out. I forgot my riding/running sunglasses at home, and forgot to put out my towel (grabbed it out of my backpack during transition). Bike
Comments: Last year was 45:36 (14.96MPH). That's a 13% improvement. That's right, 2MPH of improvement, and I felt good at the end of it. I kept up a good cadence, even passed a few folks once the rollers started. I couldn't believe it. I just have to say here, I friggin rock. Yeah, 17MPH isn't going to win me any medals, but it's a sign that I'm making real progress. In my first triathlon two years ago, my avg spd was a blazing 12.2MPH). What would you do differently?: I need to work on cornering (confidence). I also need to figure out how to confidently ride aero in a narrow lane (i.e. while being passed). I need to get my legs stronger, and add a gear or two at the bottom anyway. Transition 2
Comments: Last year was 2:00. That's an 8% improvement. My goal was to be sub 2, and I pulled it off. Again, this is a 'slow transition' where I'm taking my time, making sure I have everything, etc. I don't feel a need to look for seconds here, racing at the paces I am. What would you do differently?: This one actually went really smoothly. Run
Comments: Last year was 40:39 (13:11 miles). That's a 31% improvement. This is the money one, honey. It's one thing to improve in swim, t1, bike, or t2, but hey - I improved in all of them, and the biggest improvement was at the end, where I had more in the tank than I realized. I did a little walking, and wasn't exactly a blur out there, but that's a real nice run split for me. Honestly, I think the course must have been a little short, but I don't care too much, because I ran the same course last year! What would you do differently?: I actually didn't realize how close I was to the finish at the last water stop, and so took a walk break and had a full cup of water. I didn't need it, but I can't really complain. I also need to move my lace locks to my new running shoes, because I stopped to retie (for fit) one of them part way through the run. Post race
Warm down: Quick water and banana, and then back to the finish line to watch everyone complete the race. Last year, there were only 7 people behind me. One of my goals for today was to make sure I cheered on the last few finishers, and it was some of the most fun I had all day. Finally, I asked the volunteer if there was anyone left on the course, and she said there was only one - Bud Frankenthaler! He was the nemesis of my closest competitor, John, in my very first triathlon two years ago, who said that Bud, at 72, is always stealing age group medals from John (at 84 - yes, I was that slow, but at least I beat him in the run). Funny how things come around like that. I could cheer him on in good conscience, as John wasn't racing today. I love the diversity of our sport, and nothing shows it better than the finish line at the end of the day. And, in summary, I raced 22:34 faster today than a year ago. Yep, that's a 21% overall improvement in 1 year. Folks, if I can do it, then you can to. What limited your ability to perform faster: Well, Ken, that would be the roll of fat around my belly, my lack of experience, and the weakness of my muscles. Thanks for asking. Event comments: TTP is what it is, a low key parks series. They concentrate a lot on things that matter (safety, permitting, rescue). They don't seem to have a lot of volunteers, but those that do come out do a good job. Their events are on-time (weather permitting). This is definitely the easiest TTP race course, both in the bike and the run. Last updated: 2007-04-02 12:00 AM
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2007-04-28 2:00 PM |
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2007-04-28 2:23 PM in reply to: #779935 |
2007-04-28 2:34 PM in reply to: #779935 |
2007-04-28 4:51 PM in reply to: #779935 |
2007-04-28 5:35 PM in reply to: #779935 |
2007-04-28 5:35 PM in reply to: #779935 |
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2007-04-29 6:57 AM in reply to: #779935 |
2007-04-29 8:07 AM in reply to: #779935 |
2007-04-29 6:11 PM in reply to: #779935 |
2007-04-30 8:52 AM in reply to: #779935 |
General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
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United States
Blue Sky Sports
Sunny
Overall Rank = /300
Age Group = 36-40
Age Group Rank = 39/45
Arrived on time, checked in, and put on my fancy new lycra onepiece tri-suit (yeah, I looked good). I like like the fact that tribluesky racks alphabetically, as it means that the racks get to know each other a little bit, and it was great to see some friendly faces. That in turn meant that I had very little embarassment getting some help into my wetsuit (the only other time it's been on my body was when I tried it on at all3). It was a group effort, but it somehow worked. I feel a little bit like a superhero in that thing. I immediately went down to the water for a soak and try. It's really fun floating around in that thing, and it really did help with warmth. I actually felt pretty confident going into the day. I think that's the first time I've ever felt that at the start of a triathlon.
Float and about 30 seconds of swim to see what it felt like.