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Triangle Triathlon - North Carolina Triathlon Seri - TriathlonSprint


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Raleigh, North Carolina
United States
Set-Up, Inc.
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 23m 44s
Overall Rank = 243/606
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 33/68
Pre-race routine:

Warning: This is a long race report!!! :)

Up at 4:00 am. Had a cup of coffee and a nutrigrain bar. Brother was
volunteering so he came by the house at 5:30 for the ride to the race. Parked and did the half mile walk to the transition area. Dropped off bike and bag at the bike rack and went to get timing chip. Got body marked and went back to set up transition.
Event warmup:

Went on 1 mile run and a two mile bike ride to warm up. Stood around talking to family and watching other people in transition. Tried to pick up tips on the rubber band trick. Decided not to wear the HRM. Probably a bad choice based on run issues.
Swim
  • 14m 17s
  • 820 yards
  • 01m 44s / 100 yards
Comments:

Started at the back of the pack. Took the first 100 yards very easy and increased effort from there. Was a little crowded. Got hit a couple times but nothing too bad. Passed alot of people to the bouy. Made an incredibly good turn at the bouy. Knew at the turn that I was having a good swim so I tried to be efficient but strong. Only passed a couple people after the turn but did not get passed by anyone.
What would you do differently?:

Can't think of anything other than lessons to help swim more efficiently.
Transition 1
  • 01m 7s
Comments:

Have practiced for a month on running and cycling without socks. Had shoes already clipped on bike with helmet on the handlebars. Inside the helmet was sunglasses and gel. Threw goggles and swim cap on ground, put gel in tritop, put on sunglasses, buckled bike helmet and took off. Ran barefoot to the mount line, jumped on bike and slid feet into shoes and started pedaling. Had to break one of the rubberbands with my hand as I reached down to strap shoes. Felt smooth and fast.Considering last years 2:55 transition it was awesome!!!
What would you do differently?:

Run with hand on seat instead of handlebars. Need to practice this but its a small deal.
Bike
  • 41m 44s
  • 15 miles
  • 21.56 mile/hr
Comments:

Considering the number of people doing the race the road out of the park on the bike was not as crowded as I thought it would be. Got blown away by a girl yelling on your left!!! She was flying, I was impressed. Didn't even attempt to keep up with her. After the turn out of the park there is a little down hill as you go back across the lake and then a smallish hill after that. When I got to the top of that hill I was winded. Started to get concerned about it since it was early and not a very big hill. Calmed down and got back to it. Got to the first set of hills and felt pretty good. Shifted to the small chain ring since I wanted to stay in the middle of my cassette. Climbed the first two hills very well. Got to the first of the two memorable climbs. Got as much speed as possible on the downhill and went up this climb pretty well. Didn't gain any time but I don't think I lost alot either. Due to road construction there was a mile long section that was one lane. This car pulls out of a subdivision and gets mixed in with the cyclists. There was not enough room for the car to pass so we were only going as fast as the slowest cyclists which was just not going to work so I moved up right beside the car and went pass the car and the slow cyclist. It was close but we had to go. Never did see that car again. Compared to my 51:00 minute bike ride last year, definitely pleased with this ride.
What would you do differently?:

Need to do a better job of controlling the effort level on the bike so that something is left on the run. Chose not to wear the HRM which was not a good choice. Need to keep my heart rate in the mid 140's and I know it was at least mid 150's average on the bike. I'm slowly learning how to race.
Transition 2
  • 01m 37s
Comments:

Had feet halfway out of the shoes early. Was not comfortable jumping off the bike while I was at speed so slowed down quite a bit at the dismount line. Jumped off bike while it was moving. Didn't bust my a** so I felt good about it. Ran bike to the rack. Off with helmet. Started to put on shoes and got a very bad cramp in my left hip and left calf. Got the shoes on grabbed my run number belt and left. Last year was 2:43 so this was a good transition for me.
What would you do differently?:

Pick up bike after dismount and run with it instead of pushing it.
Run
  • 25m 1s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 08m 02s  min/mile
Comments:

This run was very difficult for me. Calves were cramping right out of transition. Tried to shorten my stride and increase cadence but it didn't seem to help much. First half mile was brutal. Felt like I was going to throw up but made it through that. Started to feel a little better on the second mile but there just wasn't anything left in the legs to push with. It was all I could do to keep running. Three guys in my age group passed me about a half mile from the finish. The best I felt in the whole three miles was as I crossed the finish line. I steadily got feeling better but the run was just too short. Did the same run in 24:01 last year.
What would you do differently?:

Need to do more bricks in training. Work on keeping heart rate down on the bike so there is something left for the run.
Post race
Warm down:

Sweat alot!!!! It was getting darn hot out. Found family and chatted for a while. Hung out with Keith (KPINTO)and my brother for a good long while. Watched the awards ceremony, waited for the results to be posted.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Need to wear my HRM. Control my HR on the bike. Train more bricks and shorter , higher intensity runs. This was my first ever Tri last year. Last years time was 1:36. This year was 1:23. Cutting 13 minutes off of last years time is a great improvement and I am very happy with that. Goal is to be in the top third next year. If I can figure out this run and keep up the bike pace I know I can do it.

Event comments:

This is a fun race. First one I have done twice. Living 15 minutes from the race site it is a little unfortunate that the race has to be at the most polluted lake in the area. There are some great lakes and parks in the Raleigh area and this one does not put our best foot forward. That being said it was a well organized race as usual with lots of volunteers. I'll do it again next year.




Last updated: 2007-05-10 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:14:17 | 820 yards | 01m 44s / 100yards
Age Group: 27/68
Overall: 248/606
Performance: Good
Suit: no
Course: Triangular
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Below average Drafting: Good
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 01:07
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
00:41:44 | 15 miles | 21.56 mile/hr
Age Group: 29/68
Overall: 195/606
Performance: Average
Wind: Little
Course: Moderately hilly with two long climbs.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Below average Cornering: Below average
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Too hard Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 01:37
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Below average
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Average
Running
00:25:01 | 03.11 miles | 08m 02s  min/mile
Age Group: 50/68
Overall: 370/606
Performance: Bad
Course: Two loops, moderately hilly, mostly shaded.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
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: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3

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2007-07-09 8:47 PM

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Subject: Triangle Triathlon - North Carolina Triathlon Seri


2007-07-09 9:24 PM
in reply to: #878266

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Charlotte
Subject: RE: Triangle Triathlon - North Carolina Triathlon Seri
Congratulations Wade! 13 minute improvement is awesome! I must say I am really impressed with your swim time. Of course, your bike is always awesome. Sorry you had a tough run but keep up the brick workouts and I'm sure that'll change. Great race and race report!
2007-07-10 6:54 AM
in reply to: #878266

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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Triangle Triathlon - North Carolina Triathlon Seri
For all your frustrations, it sounds like you still had a great race.  Like Alice said, 13 minutes is an awesome improvement.  Way to go!
2007-07-10 8:13 AM
in reply to: #878266

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Member
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Raleigh, NC
Subject: RE: Triangle Triathlon - North Carolina Triathlon Seri
Wade, Congratulations on cutting 13 min on your time. I need to update my race report. It might have to wait until tonight. I really wish we could of met up at the race. I have been thinking about doing the Pinehurst tri - but I'm doing the MS 150 in Sept and the half-marathon in Nov, so I don't know if I'll be ready for that distance in Oct, but we'll see.

You have to feel really great about your performance. I am pleased with mine, but know I have lots of areas to improve. I'm just happy to have my first one done and now I have something to base other races on.

Are you sore? I took a spin class last night and my calfs are killing me today.

I heard "on your left" way too many times on the bike course! haha
2007-07-10 11:08 PM
in reply to: #878266

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Denver, CO
Subject: RE: Triangle Triathlon - North Carolina Triathlon Seri
Wow!  Great improvement year over year!  That's awesome.  You'll have to show me how to successfully mount a bike with shoes intact.  I tried it once.  Based on how badly it went, it would be hard to convince myself to do it again.  Very cool that you have figured out how to handle the transitions.  Great race & good to meet you as well.  I hope to see you at Pinehurst then...
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