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Disco Triathlon - Duathlon


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Denton, Texas
United States
Dallas Athletes
80F / 27C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 07m 6s
Overall Rank = 16/210
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 6/31
Pre-race routine:

Early wake up. Breakfast of applesauce cup, peanut butter on bread, and ziplock bag of Kix. Picked up Teri and headed out ~4:45.
Event warmup:

1-1.5 mile run warmup, but race started late, so this was only so-so useful.
Run
  • 14m 17s
  • 2 miles
  • 07m 08s  min/mile
Comments:

Started out just behind Aaron, who was carrying his flag on this first leg. Actually had the same pace, though I passed him on the return. Didn't let my HR get too high, though I was hoping to see a little more speed for HR I had.
Transition 1
  • 00m 36s
Comments:

Little crowded on the exit, so I had to run past the line a smidge before mounting, but I had a good jumping mount. Still a good T1 - 8th fastest overall.
What would you do differently?:

Still haven't practiced having shoes already clipped in pedals.
Bike
  • 1h 03m 13s
  • 23 miles
  • 21.83 mile/hr
Comments:

Pretty happy with the ride. Very glad I tweaked my derailleur yesterday. I found myself making plenty of small gear changes to adjust to the rollers.

Plenty of Sprint racers were already on the course, which made for a crowded first half of the race until the split.

Fortunately there was a nice longer downhill after the Olympic course split off. Gave me a chance for some 'relief', as I was making sure to drink plenty.
What would you do differently?:

(minor: Need to replace the valve cover flap on my disk. It has been used several times and is losing its stickiness. It's starting to work loose and was flapping a bit.)
Transition 2
  • 00m 31s
Comments:

Great running dismount right at the line. Just a smidge of trouble getting bike turned around and reracked, but still a good T2. 3rd fastest overall.
Run
  • 48m 31s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 07m 49s  min/mile
Comments:

This was a rough run. Legs felt ok coming off the bike, and it took the normal time (~1 mile) to get the legs completely adapted. I had made it to the park road when Steve (doughboy) came in on the bike and yelled that I only had ~10 or so folks ahead of me. That was really surprising/encouraging, as I expected a lot more folks ahead of me. Just after turning onto the highway, I was passed by two guys in my age group, though. They were running strong and kept pulling ahead.

The humidity was really oppressive! My splits were all at least a minute/mile longer than I had envisioned in my mind. (I talked with lots of folks afterwards, and this seemed a consistent theme.) Ended up walking aid stations 3 & 4. (Station 3 had ice in the cups, which I just poured into both hands and then chewed on for the next half mile. Nice.)

Gerald, was about a mile back at the turnaround but caught and passed me in the last mile and was going strong. He called out encouragement, but with < 1/2 mile left, my HR was peaked and chest tightened. I had to walk for just a bit, which was frustrating that close to the finish. I was able to make a strong sprint to the end after that.

With the out and back format, I saw plenty of BT folks on the course. Aaron (JeepFleeb) was a bit ahead of me approaching the turnaround, but we were both too focused (or out of breath?) to say anything. Saw Craig (docshock1964) and Andy (apw0397) too while still out on the highway. Said hi to Sue (sportysue), Marcie (dodgersmon), Teri (teri), and Steve (doughboy) again on the trails. Caught up to Laurie (tri_it_cajun_style) and Shannon (swatson) just after the last aid station. They were still decked out in the costumes and hats. :)
What would you do differently?:

I later heard that even lot of athletes more experienced than me (i.e. the normal AG winners - Tracy Harrison, Darlene Jones, etc.) ended up walking parts of the run due to the humidity, so I don't feel as guilty about that. (Of course, they were probably walking after having done a lot faster splits, but I'll ignore that little fact.) I did take in water at the aid station, so I think it is just some improved conditioning.
Post race
Warm down:

Downed several glasses of water, a Vitamin Water, and watermelon. Tried to find some place with a breeze. A very little bit of stretching to fend off some impending calf cramps. Eventually, I had one small slice of pizza, but decided against any nachos.

The various tents were in a fairly compact area, so people were milling about. Talked with lots of folks, including all the BTers. John (jcagg90) had come out to the race to jockstrap, and I got to meet his new friend (girlfriend?).

Since it was Beth's birthday today, I didn't linger around too long today.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Humidity

Event comments:

This was my first year at this event. With the recent weather forcing the switch to a duathlon, my mind wasn't fully into the event when I arrived. However, I still put in a strong effort and was happy with how I performed.

I can only give Dallas Athletes an 'Average' for this race. I know the weather is beyond their control, so I can't fault them for it becoming a Du. But between the HIM getting canceled and several other instances of delayed email responses, I was frustrated with poor race communications. (Plus, the swag was really pretty weak. Cheap t-shirt, and not even a clif bar sample.)

As to the event itself:
Pre-race was a bit disorganized, with no water set up for filling bottles at first. Racking is completely open - first-come, first-serve everywhere. Makes it a bit more chaotic to me. Disappointed to see that non-athletes over 12 (i.e. spectators) were being charged $5 admission since it was a state park. There definitely weren't enough porta-potties for the size of the field (though some of them were rather nice, I was told -- little sinks w/ water inside), to the point where they had to delay the start b/c so many athletes were still in line.

Race also started 15~20min late, and then the Sprint started very soon afterwards (not the expected 1/2 hour) making for crowded first run and bike courses. Course was pretty good, with some fast, rolling sections. Roads were mostly asphalt -- nothing great, but acceptable. My butt was glad we weren't riding a HIM bike on them, though. There were police monitoring all the major intersections/turns, though I wish someone had swept gravel from the corners.

Run course was a little convoluted, but mostly becuase people weren't following directions to "run on the left". So there was a lot of crossing paths when racers were supposed to be making a couple of left hand turns. Another issue was that the Olympic portion of the course could have used another aid station, especially given how shadeless the park road/highway was.

There was plenty of food and drink after the event for a variety of tastes, it seamed. There were plenty of BTers, which made it fun. Not as many people (athletes or volunteers) dressed up for the race as I'd expected, but I have to admire those that did in today's humidity. So all things considered... an Average rating.




Last updated: 2007-07-08 12:00 AM
Running
00:14:17 | 02 miles | 07m 08s  min/mile
Age Group: 16/31
Overall: 50/210
Performance: Average
HRavg: 167 HRmax: 170
Course: Simple out and back on the park road. Shotgun start for each wave. Got crowded when the Sprint runners merged back into the Oly running about halfway on the return leg.
Keeping cool Average Drinking
T1
Time: 00:36
Overall: Good
Run with bike? Good
Jump on bike? Good
Getting up to speed and into shoes: Good
Biking
01:03:13 | 23 miles | 21.83 mile/hr
Age Group: 2/31
Overall: 9/210
Performance: Good
HRavg: 159
Wind: None
Course: Loop course, with some rolling hills. Faster on the first half, with subtle, longer uphills on the second half. Mostly asphalt, with some rougher sections/potholes to avoid on the Olympic portion. Wished someone had brushed the gravel from the turns.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 97
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 00:31
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Average
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:48:31 | 06.21 miles | 07m 49s  min/mile
Age Group: 7/31
Overall: 18/210
Performance: Average
HRavg: 175 HRmax: 192
Course: Out and back. First and last quarter were along the trails (tree-covered), rest was along park road and the highway (unshaded). Some minor hilliness to the course. Five water stations.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? No
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3

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2007-07-08 10:07 PM

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Expert
1103
1000100
Plano, TX
Subject: Disco Triathlon


2007-07-08 11:29 PM
in reply to: #876753

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Champion
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the colony texas
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon

great job today in the heat..!!

 

sorry I was there to meet you in person.. 

 

2007-07-09 7:08 AM
in reply to: #876753

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Expert
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Wylie, TX
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon
You had a really stong race. Even with the issues, on the 10K, that is a fast time.
2007-07-09 9:17 AM
in reply to: #876753

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Expert
739
50010010025
Flower Mound, TX
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon
Great race, David.  I knew you were a strong runner.  You had a killer 10K, plus your bike split wasn't too shabby either.
2007-07-09 10:07 AM
in reply to: #876753

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Expert
927
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Longview, TX
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon

Incredible race.  Great bike and 10k splits!  Man, you can move!

I wish you would have just passed me on that first run, then I could have stopped hearing (or imaging I was hearing) your footsteps right behind me the whole way, taunting me that you were going to pass at any moment.

I didn't know that was you.  Ha!  Sorry about that.  Hey, you and Aaron were giving me a great pace.

2007-07-09 11:42 AM
in reply to: #877151

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Member
12

Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon
So, overall, how did you feel about your performance based on how you expected to race? You were darn fast.

I'm relieved to see that you ARE human... after training with you and noting your near-dead heart rate on our bikes and runs, I see you can actually raise it to normal levels when you race Was this HR particularly high for you? *I* had no trouble staying ABOVE race pace...

The humidity was killer. I think the number of water stops was sufficient for the sprint racers (3 not including exit of transition).

Keep an eye out, I'll do a race report on this one soon Will anyone read it?

-Teri


2007-07-09 9:18 PM
in reply to: #876753

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Master
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Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon

Great race.  Your run is fast.  So is your bike.  Sounds like you were racing at LTHR at the end.  That's how it's supposed to be done.  Leave it all on the course.

TJ

2007-07-11 10:07 AM
in reply to: #876753

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Veteran
113
100
Texas
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon
Great job, David! It looks like you had a solid and fast race!

Now you can start focussing on Longhorn! With one HIM under your belt, your probably not too worried about it. I'm looking forward to it- I think it should be a lot of fun!
2007-07-11 10:27 AM
in reply to: #876753

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Member
5

Austin Ranch, Plano, TX
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon

Nice race !!    Big congrats on your age group ranking.

I agree with your comments about the race organization.

I wonder if DA coordinates everthing of if they hire a company to do it for them.   If it is DA, then I understand that each race is a learning process--to a a point.   Meaning......at some point, they should learn the process.   But, if they hire people to do it for them, then there is no excuse for some of those obvious things to be overlooked.

 

2007-07-11 1:30 PM
in reply to: #876753

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Master
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Keller Tx
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon

Great race David!

I think I saw you and Aaron the most of anyone that day

The humidity was tough, even though I did a lot shorter course than you did.

2007-07-11 9:26 PM
in reply to: #876753

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Extreme Veteran
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Allen
Subject: RE: Disco Triathlon

I remember a conversation with someone (*ahem* I just can't remember who) not long ago who said "I'm not a runner."  Yet his race results always seem to show otherwise.  Hmmmmm..... 

Congrats on another fantastic race!



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