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Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon
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Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint
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 Swim
Comments: What a mess this swim was!! The people definitely didn't seed themselves based on ability. I had the first 50m clear starting about 10 seconds back from the guy in front of me, then I caught him ...... and he finally let me pass at the 100m point. Then I caught a log jam of three people with the woman in front of me going fairly slow and I couldn't get passed her. There were two points where I just frickin' stood up and walked ..... then felt guilty so I breast-stroked a little until she finally let me pass around 200m. Then I had a clear run in the last lap to the finish. The time includes about a 50 foot run from the edge of the pool to the timing mat towards the transition area. What would you do differently?: Seed myself a hell of a lot higher. I was honest in my assesment of doing a 4:15, but nobody else that started near me was. I probably could have broken 4 minutes with clear water! Maybe not wear the wetsuit as the air temp. was colder than the water. Could have saved 10 - 15 seconds or so (which would have been enough - see finish results).  Transition 1
Comments: Transition went well all things considered. I think I did okay with this one, especially since I had a wetsuit and many didn't. It was a long run on the rough asphalt to get out the bike transition as I was racked near the swim area. What would you do differently?: Nothing, I think this one was okay for what I needed to do in transition.  Bike
Comments: I went "blind" on this one as I didn't have the rear wheel sensor on the disc. So I only had cadence, HR and time to go by, which is what I wanted. With my limited bike mileage (barely over 500 miles for the year) and still semi-recovering from Boston I was not sure what I would have. I just wanted to get out there and push it and see what I could do ...... And boy did I!!! First lap I was flying and caught probably 50 or more people (I started about 60th or so in the pool). I may as well have been a broken record with my "On your left ...... left!!" since I was constantly passing. It was like being back in the left lane of the Autobahn with my motorcycle - I was passing them like they were standing still. I was only in the small ring for the small hill that we had on each lap and that was only for about an 1/8th of a mile or so. After that we turn left and finally get a tailwind. The main drag going back to the start/finish was all tailwind and I was down in the 53/12 and cranking it. Second lap I was doing even more passing as I got wrapped into the whole crowd out on the course, but no real worries with passing as everyone basically moved when I asked. At no point was I in a draft as no one was near my speed, which was sort of surprising to me. Second time up the hill was more small chainring then before but I knew that trying to fly up it wasn't going to gain me much. Back onto the main street and push it hard to the bike finish. Feet out of shoes as I got near, dismount well at the line and jogging back to my rack. I frickin' killed the bike!! 2nd fastest split overall (for the ones that actually got chipped correctly - there were some weird average speeds as people must have come in after one lap instead of two - the winner averaged 24.7 and was the only real average that was higher). What would you do differently?: Nothing, had a great ride and Blackbird felt like spreading her wings. Can't wait until I have some bike fitness to really cut it loose!! Transition 2
Comments: Below average because the feet were numb. I was in my Team Gu tri suit and nothing else, so the piggies got really cold. This was causing me grief to get the shoes on, so I had to kneel down to do it. Right calf twinged a bit and I said "Uh Oh." But I finally got the shoes on and since the run start was right next to me it was quick to cross the timing mat. What would you do differently?: Work on getting the shoes on faster. And check them for rocks before putting them on ..... see run description .....  Run
Comments: Run was just kind of there. The out part is barely up inclined and into the wind. I passed two people right at the start and then literally didn't see anyone until after the 1-1/4 mile point where I saw the first 4 guys that had gone by the turn-around. Mile 1 was around 6:30-ish, but some said that is was marked a little far. Turn around was at 9:50-ish and I saw a guy ahead of me. So I worked on picking it up. This was where I noticed I had two rocks in my right shoe (the one that was giving me the most grief to put on). I curled my toes up a bit and let the rocks roll aorund until they were in a more "comfortable" position and went to work on catching the guy ahead. I passed him at about the 2 mile mark and set it on cruise control to get in as I couldn't see anyone else ahead of me, just the runners on their out lap. Got back to the transition area and had to slow down a hair to get through all the people just starting out on the run. Probably added a few seconds to the mix. What would you do differently?: I really didn't feel that I was going that fast and probably could have picked it up more on the way back with the tailwind and slight downhill. But my HR was in the mid 170's, so I was working okay (about my half marathon range for HR). Post race
Warm down: Got my medal, grabbed some grub and talked with the three guys that finished ahead of me. Watched out for other BTers and cheered them on when I recognized them. What limited your ability to perform faster: Lack of bike training, less than ideal swim seeding and lower running mileage since Boston. Event comments: Great race, designed for people just starting out, spectator friendly. A little crowded on the bike course, and not the best swim seeding. But the event was run extremely well and things went off without any real glitches. I got a $20 gift certificate and a custom made jersey (all the AG placers and overall winners got them). After looking at the results I was only 9 frickin' seconds out of the top 3!! I could have had any number of slight changes be it a clear swim or a smoother T2 and I would have been in 3rd. The 2nd place guy was another minute up the road, so I wouldn't have been able to "catch" him. Last updated: 2007-01-09 12:00 AM
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 2007-05-13 4:10 PM |
Cycling Guru  15134    Fulton, MD |  Subject: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon |
| 2007-05-13 7:27 PM in reply to: #798829 |
Champion 6539  South Jersey | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Hey Rick, great job! That was your first sprint ever, right? Sorry to hear about the problems on the swim. I've never done a race with a pool swim, but I always hear people complaining about other competitors who seed themselves wrong for pool swims. You still had a strong swim despite having to stop swimming to get around a few people - top 12% is pretty good. And, smokin' fast ride...that was awesome! Must've been tons of fun passing people like that. Nice, strong run too. Glad to hear you had a great day. Good work |
| 2007-05-13 7:38 PM in reply to: #798829 |
Pro 4054 yep, | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Great race rick. Nice job placing really well. Bummer about the swim. Honestly did you feel you needed a wetsuit in a 250 m swim? Just wanted to look "professional" with the fast looking bike and the wetsuit.
BTW are you coming to Columbia this coming weekend? Let me know, hope to see ya there. I'm trying to meet up with a bunch of BT'ers to get a picture or something. |
| 2007-05-13 7:44 PM in reply to: #798829 |
Veteran 236 Reston | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Great to meet you today and SUPER race!!! I'm glad you didn't catch me in the pool.  I'm OK with you SMOKIN' by me on the bike... Stellar performance! See you at Eagleman! |
| 2007-05-13 10:15 PM in reply to: #798829 |
Elite 3488 Lakewood, CO | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon So the Blackbird can fly!!!, just need to make some modifications to the engine. Great race, walking on the swim and all... |
| 2007-05-14 5:43 AM in reply to: #798829 |
Expert 1205 Herndon VA | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Hey Rick, Great race yesterday! That new bike of yours looks fast just sitting still. Bummer about missing 3rd by such a small amount. Ernie |
| 2007-05-14 7:56 AM in reply to: #798829 |
Elite 2673 Muskego, WI | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon FELT FELT BABYYYYYYY!!!!! Wow Rick, you killed that course on the bike. Great run too, considering you think it was eh. Overall a FANTASTIC RACE!!! Congrats!!! |
| 2007-05-14 9:32 AM in reply to: #798829 |
Extreme Veteran 471 Northern Virginia | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon great race! hopefully you can tear it up at eagleman too. |
| 2007-05-14 10:55 AM in reply to: #798947 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Dlaxman31 - 2007-05-13 8:38 PM Great race rick. Nice job placing really well. Bummer about the swim. Honestly did you feel you needed a wetsuit in a 250 m swim? Just wanted to look "professional" with the fast looking bike and the wetsuit. BTW are you coming to Columbia this coming weekend? Let me know, hope to see ya there. I'm trying to meet up with a bunch of BT'ers to get a picture or something. The wetsuit was for the cold, and because it was the only way I would probably have been able to hit my "real" predicted time of 4:15. But traffic negated that whole thing to begin with, and I probably would have been fine without it. It depends on if the wife wants to go to the Boordy Vineyards wine fest or not. If so then I won't make it. I'm going to try to however, and bring the boys to come and watch if I can. Yeah, this was my first sprint. Realized they are a lot like a 5k - go hard until you puke. If you didn't puke, you didn't go hard enough! |
| 2007-05-14 11:23 AM in reply to: #798829 |
| Veteran 165 Aylmer, Qc | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Awesome report. And awesome race! I am one of those weirdos who love to come to work on Monday's... to be able to spend the morning reading race reports! They just pump me up! Your bike time as me rolling my eyes. |
| 2007-05-14 2:04 PM in reply to: #798829 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Great race Rick! Lookin' forward to see what you can do over distance at Eagleman!  |
| 2007-05-15 6:56 AM in reply to: #798829 |
Pro 3705 Vestavia Hills | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon When you say "sprint" race, you mean it ... must hve been nice to let loose the demons and speed through each leg of the race (despite the crowded pool thing). This bodes well for Eagleman - and ought to negate any thoughts that may still linger from last year. While the pace will be slower, you've proven that you have the fitness to endure - and now the speed. Go get 'em! |
| 2007-05-15 10:26 AM in reply to: #798829 |
Master 2429 Falls Church, Virginia | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Great RR and fab race. Your bike time is amazing! Good luck at Eagleman. |
| 2007-05-15 10:31 AM in reply to: #798829 |
Pro 4481 Reston | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Great to meet you and great race! I didn't tell you this at the time, but when I was holding your bike while you went up to get your award, I noticed that your seat might be too high.
Okay, I'm kidding. |
| 2007-05-15 3:59 PM in reply to: #798829 |
Champion 5345 Carlsbad, California | Subject: RE: Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon Yeah, I bet you could make a whole career out of tearing up the Sprint Circuit. Looks like with the Bike/Run combo, you left just about everyone in the dust. (Well, All but 3 of the Zoomies to be exact) Great job out there |
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Age Group = M35-39
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Got up at 4:10, got dressed and took the dog out. Loaded the bike onto the car (in the rain) as I had already put everything else in the car the night before. Ate an apple as I was hungry, but didn't want to have much in my stomach as the race started at 6:45. Drove to the site and met Ernie (ejc999) who was gracious enough to pick my packet up for me. Got the bike racked, got my chip and body marked, talked to some fellow BTers and bitched about the cold.
Hopped in the pool and swam 50 yards to make sure the wetsuit was not tight in the shoulders and see how the water was - it was warmer than the air, that's for sure! Stretched a little while waiting in line for my start.