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Wildflower Triathlon - Long Course - TriathlonLong Course


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Lake San Antonio, California
United States
Tri-California
75F / 24C
Sunny
Total Time = 7h 29m 26s
Overall Rank = 1583/1966
Age Group = F30-34
Age Group Rank = 86/120
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at about 530. Cooked typical pre-race breakfast; cornmeal mush with brown sugar, cinnamon, and buttermilk. Also had 6oz. yogurt and a little coffee. Headed down to transition with the team at about 7. Set up transition area, put on lots of sunblock. Got in line for the porta-potties and munched on a few Fig Newtons. Watched the pros and then got into my wetsuit and ready to go.
Event warmup:

They changed the timing mats this year, so instead of being able to get into the water 2-3 waves ahead of time, you can now only get in 1 wave ahead. Stroked out 50-60 yards and was immediately called back in for the start. Kinda foiled the warmup plan.
Swim
  • 39m 47s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 53s / 100 yards
Comments:

Choppy! Especially on the way back in. Made for a less-than-stellar performance. I'd been hoping for a time closer to 35, which I'd been on track for all season. Not much I could do about the wind, though. Also, a much more "interactive" swim than I've been accustomed to. Was getting kicked, grabbed, groped, and swum over the whole time. Used to being way out in front of a TNT wave, but evidently, when you start with your age group, things are a little more frantic.
What would you do differently?:

More drills the week of the event to maintain/touch up water-feel.
Transition 1
  • 04m 55s
Comments:

Shoes set into the pedals? As if.
What would you do differently?:

Stuff my jersey pockets before the swim.
Bike
  • 3h 47m
  • 56 miles
  • 14.80 mile/hr
Comments:

Great ride! I held back a lot, anticipating the run. I decided only to use my biggest gear on descents. Spun comfortably the whole time. Nasty wasn't even that bad--passed a lot of folks there! The wind made it tough to stick to my nutrition plan. Fig Newtons are tough to eat and wash down when you're trying to control your bike in a crosswind. Had to switch to gels a little earlier than I wanted to.
What would you do differently?:

Work in a few "gel only" training rides to get my stomach used to the higher carb concentration. Work on getting ballsier on the descents.
Transition 2
  • 03m 45s
Comments:

Again, pedaling on top of my bike shoes? No way.
What would you do differently?:

Try some yankz.
Run
  • 2h 43m
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 26s  min/mile
Comments:

Lots of gastrointestinal distress from about mile 5 on. Probably from too much gel on the ride, not enough actual food. Probably ran a total of 8 miles, walked 5. Still, I kept moving forward, right?
What would you do differently?:

Hydrate a bit more on the bike. Also, experiment with gels before long runs.
Post race
Warm down:

Grabbed a powerbar and some orange slices, went and sat in the lake for about 15 minutes.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Wind. Skewed nutrition plan. Crappy descending skills.

Event comments:

My first 1/2 IM experience! Pretty good, considering the tough course I picked. It's Wildflower--what could be better?




Last updated: 2007-05-09 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:39:47 | 2112 yards | 01m 53s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/120
Overall: 947/1966
Performance: Average
Suit: Orca S1
Course: Large rectangle. Counter-clockwise swim.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 65F / 18C Current: High
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Below average Drafting: Average
Waves: Below average Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 04:55
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
03:47:00 | 56 miles | 14.80 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/120
Overall: 0/1966
Performance: Good
Wind: Strong with gusts
Course: Well, it's Wildflower. If you're not climbing, you're descending. There are really no flats. Also, no shade. Beautiful day. Could smell the ocean out on Jolon Road.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence: 85+
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 03:45
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Bad
Jumping off bike Bad
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
02:43:00 | 13.1 miles | 12m 26s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/120
Overall: 0/1966
Performance: Below average
Course: Hilly and exposed with a few flats sections. Mostly trail, with about 30-40% road thrown in.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2007-05-09 10:42 AM


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Subject: Wildflower Triathlon - Long Course


2007-05-09 10:54 AM
in reply to: #794427

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Champion
5345
500010010010025
Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Wildflower Triathlon - Long Course
Hey, great job out there last weekend.

You definitely picked a challenging race for your 1st Half and it will only get easier from here.

Sounds like you definitely enjoyed (Good and bad) all that this course had to offer. The wind was definitely not such a welcome thing this year, but the cooler temps sure were nice.

Oh, and glad to hear that you had fun on the bike course. (I think this is the best part) The Energizer Bunny was by far the most welcome site of the ride.

Take Care and Recover Well
2007-05-09 7:39 PM
in reply to: #794427

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Master
1588
1000500252525
San Francisco
Subject: RE: Wildflower Triathlon - Long Course
It's a tough course for a first IM (was my first as well). It definitely was a challenge to eat and drink on the bike with those crosswinds. Bummer about the GI issues, but you made it through one tough course. Great job!
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