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Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park - TriathlonSprint


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Flovilla, Georgia
United States
Blue Sky Sports
75F / 24C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 29m 20s
Overall Rank = 303/484
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 47/54
Pre-race routine:

Pretty much everything I needed was pre-packed and ready to go. Woke up at 0-dark:30, put on my clothes, gave Beth a "good-bye" peck, grabbed t-bag, and headed to the garage. Grabbed small cooler from fridge, loaded car, loaded bike on rack, and hit the road. I was ahead of schedule and feeling good for the hour+ drive to Flovilla. Sipped some water during the drive, ate my usual PB&H sandwich, and then just chilled to some good music. Thought the fact that I nabbed the last parking space close to transition was a good omen...
Event warmup:

Grabbed stuff from car, located rack, and set up t-area. Noticed that one of my aero bar arm rest covers had blown off during the ride, so had a bit of a panic attack. Some guy named Max overheard a conversation about same and graciously offered to give me the one I needed off an aero bar in his car. Max rocks. After relaxing a bit and finishing t-setup, I chatted with a few folks and then went for a little warm-up run to try and get the blood flowing and calm the nerves. Dan Arnett had it right when he noted that I looked nervous. I was unsettled and am sure it was due to worries about the stupid swim.
Swim
  • 18m 22s
  • 656 yards
  • 02m 48s / 100 yards
Comments:

My first race, I swam in the last wave with the other Novices (aka, "the kindler, gentler, more clueless people"); this time, I was with the 40-49 AG - approximately 90 people strong. These guys take no prisoners. From the start, I got hit from all sides except my head. Prior to the start I was doubting my swim, and the continued jostling contributed to me never establishing any rhythm to speak of. This said, midway through the swim, I did find my sense of humor still intact, as I noted the "preppy" look in the lake brought about by the lime green caps of the remnants from my wave mixing with the hard-charging hot pink caps of the gals from the wave behind. Lilly Pulitzer would've been very impressed and pleased.
What would you do differently?:

Not be such a head case.
Transition 1
  • 01m 52s
Comments:

Reeling from the carnage that was my swim, I was in a bit of a daze here and didn't move very quickly
Overall 276/484
What would you do differently?:

Not be in such a daze.
Bike
  • 37m 51s
  • 12.8 miles
  • 20.29 mile/hr
Comments:

After a bit of trouble getting my left foot clipped in, I was able to get up to speed and start reeling in some folks. This felt good and if I'd not been so discouraged with my swim, I might've been able to go a bit faster. My goal was to finish @ 20+ mph, so I accomplished this one.
What would you do differently?:

Not much here - just stay focused and take each segment of a tri as a standalone race.
Transition 2
  • 01m 31s
Comments:

My rack was closer to the "Run Exit," so I had a bit of a traverse once at the dismount line. Prior to dismounting, I managed to get out of my bike shoes and finish the ride with feet on top of shoes. I'm sure spectators we're thinking "Why's that pro so far behind everybody?" It felt good to hit T2 so "ready." Unfortunately, after jogging up the parking lot hill in my barefeet and getting to my rack space, my mind just went blank. I took off helmet fine, but then I hesitated getting right into running shoes, grabbing visor, run belt, and getting out of there. Old age I guess. ;) Easily lost 15-30 seconds while wading through the mist in my mind.
Overall 313/484
What would you do differently?:

Not be in a fog!
Run
  • 29m 45s
  • 3.1 miles
  • 09m 36s  min/mile
Comments:

Came off the bike feeling a bit more upbeat. As soon as I left T2, though, my left hamstring sent me a "package;" rather than "refuse delivery" (and likely due to my already less than stellar mental state about swim), I slowed down my pace and just jogged. While doing so, fairly early in the run, I came across a young guy (Jackson McLendon) who's older brother (Rob) smoked the course in a nice 1:04 and change; Jackson was walking and his body language said "completely discouraged." I thought to myself, "I know the feeling, dude, but you're half my age and I'm not letting you walk." So, I tapped him on the shoulder and said "Come on...let's finish this thing." It wasn't fast, we took a couple of walk breaks at the water stations and coming out of the "lollipops," and I came to learn that this was his first. Way to go, Jackson. As we neared the turn from the road to the finish, his brother was waiting for him. I nudged him and told him to go finish with his brother; meanwhile, I picked up the pace and held off at least one AG'er who tried to snake past me prior to the "chute."
What would you do differently?:

Despite feeling like doing so, not "mail in" the run portion.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked around, started connecting with the NAMC/BT crew, drank some water, ate some orange slices

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Me. As noted earlier in this manifesto, I need to take each segment of a race as its own race. If one segment goes poorly, I simply need to say "Screw it!" and get on with the next one as if I'm leading the damn race!

Event comments:

Blue Sky Sports is awesome. They do a great job putting on races and trying to connect with the local community. Would highly recommend their races to anybody/everybody!!




Last updated: 2007-04-29 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:18:22 | 656 yards | 02m 48s / 100yards
Age Group: 53/54
Overall: 426/484
Performance: Bad
Suit: No
Course: Too long! ;) Triangle, start at right side of shore line, swim to right, left turn round first big buoy, long straight that paralleled shore, and then another left around big buoy back to shore.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 84F / 29C Current: Low
200M Perf. Bad Remainder: Bad
Breathing: Below average Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 01:52
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
00:37:51 | 12.8 miles | 20.29 mile/hr
Age Group: 28/54
Overall: 161/484
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course: Out and back
Road: Rough Dry Cadence: 90+
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 01:31
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
00:29:45 | 03.1 miles | 09m 36s  min/mile
Age Group: 46/54
Overall: 363/484
Performance: Below average
Course: Hilly, out and back including a couple of brutal "lollipops", through camping area.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Below average
Mental exertion [1-5] 1
Physical exertion [1-5] 2
Good race? No
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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2007-06-25 1:47 PM

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Master
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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park


2007-06-25 2:12 PM
in reply to: #859139

Extreme Veteran
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Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
Congrats Lou! I know you're not too pleased with the performance but you did great and stayed in the game long enough to finish - and even doing that is something to be proud of. Just keep learning from each training session and triathlon adventure and one day you'll have the "perfect race". I'm always glad I'm a woman because there are some crazy fast men you have to compete against and it just doesn't seem like there as many on the women's side. Don't let this race discourage you and keep going out there and learning what a great competitor you are.
2007-06-25 2:37 PM
in reply to: #859139

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Master
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Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
You are my hero for staying with Jackson.  Most people, probably myself included, would have blown by him. 
2007-06-25 3:20 PM
in reply to: #859139

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
Great Race. Bike leg was very impressive and being able to take your feet out of the shoes prior to dismount is awesome. Great job getting through the swim also.
2007-06-25 3:51 PM
in reply to: #859139

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Champion
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Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park

Although you think you didn't do a great job on the Tri, I see lots of things you did well.  You biked well, you finished and most importantly, you made sure someone else finished as well!  That is the spirit of Triathlon.  You're well on the right track.  Things will come...fear not! 

It was a tough course with some tough competition.  You did well, take heart in that.  Next thing you know T2 will be second nature!

2007-06-25 3:55 PM
in reply to: #859139

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Master
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Woodstock, GA
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
Good attitude which is the most important thing anyway.


2007-06-25 4:08 PM
in reply to: #859479

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Master
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2000100100100252525
Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
Marvarnett - 2007-06-25 4:51 PM

Although you think you didn't do a great job on the Tri, I see lots of things you did well.  You biked well, you finished and most importantly, you made sure someone else finished as well!  That is the spirit of Triathlon.  You're well on the right track.  Things will come...fear not! 

It was a tough course with some tough competition.  You did well, take heart in that.  Next thing you know T2 will be second nature!

Thanks, Dan...and thanks too for the "nudge" you gave me as Jackson and I hit the last climb prior to the turn to finish...that was great of you to come back on the course (after placing 1st in your AG) and encourage all of the other runners still out in the "wasteland."

2007-06-25 5:19 PM
in reply to: #859139

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Expert
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Marietta, GA
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park

Great Job, Lou! I know you're not happy with the race, but you did a good job pushing through when you weren't feeling it. The run at the end is so brutal, I think it was smart of you to decide to motivate Jackson, I bet that helped you to! At least took your mind off yourself for a few minutes so you could keep pushing!

You're going to keep getting stronger with each race - great job!

2007-06-25 7:57 PM
in reply to: #859139

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Master
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Winder, GA
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
You know what? Even if your swim didn't go as planned, your bike and run splits are still great! On the bike you had an awesome split! And even though you "jogged" your run you still ran your 5k faster than I've ever run it! You finished and helped Jackson finish his first race, congrats!
2007-06-25 9:48 PM
in reply to: #859139

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Veteran
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Georgia
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park

Lou,

 It was great to meet you at Fresh Air.  If I remember correctly, John Tanner this year was your first tri.  You're doing better than I did during my first season last year! 

Good race report and happy to see your sense of humor with the "preppy" comment.  Although, being a M40-44 age grouper myself, I do take issue with your "old age" comment.  Remember, it's not old age, it's "masters."  :-)

 Happy training and look forward to seeing you at future races.

 Craig

2007-06-26 5:44 AM
in reply to: #859139

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Master
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Atlanta, Georgia
Gold member
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
Major karma points for staying with a struggling competitor - You're probably entitled to at least one less flat tire during a race because of what you did.

These sprints are hard - so I discovered - but definitely make you a better racer because there's no room for error. It's almost like you can't help but get faster just by showing up on a regular basis. Good luck with the rest of your season.

c


2007-06-26 8:55 AM
in reply to: #859139

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Master
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Woodstock
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
There is no such thing as an easy race- you did great and did the right thing with a great attitude! You still had a great race and it's only your 2nd tri! Congrats on the race.
2007-06-26 10:56 AM
in reply to: #859139

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Master
1404
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Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
Great job out there. The only thing I would recommend right now, is to race as much as possible. Triathlon is definitely on the job training. You did great for just your second race.  
2007-06-27 8:05 AM
in reply to: #859139

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Veteran
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Smyrna
Subject: RE: Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park
Lou - 2nd race ever and you did awesome!  There are always those races where we come away feeling like we could have and should have done something differently, but that's where the learning and improving comes into play.  It was great hanging out with you before (thanks for letting me pretend that I have friends) and after the race.  You should be really happy with how you did - Congratulations!
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