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5430 Long Course Triathlon - TriathlonLong Course


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Boulder, Colorado
United States
5430 Sports Corp.
95F / 35C
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 57m 58s
Overall Rank = 532/884
Age Group = m30-34
Age Group Rank = 68/97
Pre-race routine:

Up early after sleeping semi-decently. About as well as I ever have before a race anyway. Had a couple of oatmeals & some oj. Left around 4:30 & drove off towards Boulder. Saw a shooting star as I was coming into the res.
Event warmup:

Didn't do too much. I got a nice spot at the end of the row and set up transition & just took it pretty leisurely. Had a gel & walked down to the water. My wave started about 20' after the 1st wave so I chatted with Ryan a little & then hopped in the water for a real quick swim.
Swim
  • 43m 47s
  • 1931 meters
  • 02m 16s / 100 meters
Comments:

Kind of a weird start because I didn't run into anyone and it seemed to spread out kind of quickly. Mainly just tried to get into a rhythm and felt ok until I found myself waaayyy to the inside. Corrected course and got back into the pack and right as I did I found some feet so I decided to try & draft off them. Did ok but either I kept speeding up or he kept slowing down because every 10-20 strokes I seemed to run into his feet. After a kick to the goggles I decided to swing out to the side. Rounded the buoys ok although I kept getting wide going down the back straight. And I kept coming up on the same guy since we seemed to be going the same exact speed. Someone stopped while rounding the last buoy trying to figure out where to go and three of us all piled up trying to avoid him/her. I managed to pee while swimming coming into the beach which was good. Swam pretty far in, stood up, took a few steps, and then... Down I went in a big splash. Smiled it off and ran up the hill.
What would you do differently?:

Overall this was one of the more annoying swims I've had. Got into a rhythm here & there but my drafting and navigation were both pretty poor.
Transition 1
  • 01m 55s
Comments:

My wetsuit got caught on my ankle (after telling Ryan that has never happened to me) and I had some trouble pulling my socks on but otherwise it was ok.
What would you do differently?:

I wasn't ina huge hurry so not a whole lot.
Bike
  • 2h 51m 49s
  • 56.8 miles
  • 19.84 mile/hr
Comments:

Plan was 1st 20 mi: mid z2, 2nd 20 mi, upper z2, last 16 mi: upper z2/lower z3. Left the res and tried to get my HR under control which I did by Jay Rd. Tried to keep the HR in check going up the Rt 36 hill which I somewhat did although I was getting passed by tons of people. Felt pretty good so I was able to start my nutrition right on schedule. Had a couple of shot bloks and then sipped perpetuem every 15' with a gel on the top of the hour. Cat & moused with a few people thru St. Vrain & then they either left me or I left them. 1st lap was pretty uneventful and with the sun behind the clouds and as I got more calories into me I started to feel better. Saw my time after the 1st lap & was pretty happy with it so I just wanted to focus on maintaining my pace for the 2nd lap. Started to realize I needed the bathroom around here but I decided I was having a good bike so I would either make it to T2 or not, but I wasn't stopping. Heading up the hill I noticed I was a gear higher which gave me a boost (saw Erik there too) and coming down the St. Vrain hill I topped out at my fastest speed ever (45mph) without even pedaling. Tried to stand up and stretch out when I could since my back was pretty sore; by this point I was starting to catch and pass people. I was still feeling good so I was actually looking forward to the run which is pretty rare. Came into T2 right with Christian but I didn't see him again after that.
What would you do differently?:

Not much, I pretty much hit this exactly as planned. Just keep building bike fitness.
Transition 2
  • 02m 38s
Comments:

Picked up some gels & endurolytes, sprayed some sunscreen on and stopped in the portapotty for some needed relief.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Run
  • 2h 17m 47s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 10m 31s  min/mile
Comments:

Got off the bike feeling good. Looked at my watch and thought a 5:45 or 5:50 was doable. Had a slight sidestitch the 1st mile but nothing bad. Just tried to get my HR somewhat under control which I was so-so at. I was hoping my pace would have been a little faster but not much I could do about it. Got an ice cold towel from Amy at the 1st aid station & some gatorade & water which I could feel bog down in my stomach right away. Made it up the hill and still felt alright up through mile 4. Legs started feeling it around mile 5 but I still felt good finishing the 1st lap - Mark passed me here & it was nice to come thu the finish area with lots of people and Julia yelling. On the second lap is where the heat started getting to me and I ended up walking portions of the two big hills as well as the small one after the canal. By this point I realized that my goal of averaging 10' miles wasn't happening. Had another gel around mile 9 but I had to force it down (and had a hell of a time trying to open it with sweaty hands). I didn't look at my watch so I didn't see the really slow splits here, but I did notice that my margin of error for getting under 6 hours was getting smaller. There was no way that was going to happen so I pushed on, just focusing on getting to the next aid station. I wasn't very interested in water or gatorade (which tasted way too sweet at this stage) but just wanted water to pour over my head. Pushed up the last hill and finally into the finish.
What would you do differently?:

I could probably have stood to take in more calories but I walked all the aid stations and had gatoraid & water at most of them and I don't think my stomach could have taken much more. I took in about 1100 on the bike but maybe it should have been more. I didn't have any cramping or GI issues at any point though which was a success for me. Not sure if I should have pushed the pace a little more in the beginning when I was feeling good or if that would have killed me even more at the end.
Post race
Warm down:

Lay down the shade and tried to keep from puking. Talked with Ben & Matt, then used the locker room shower & changed into some clean clothes & tried to keep from puking. Met up with Ben again & had a banana & tried to keep from puking. Walked to my bike going from shade to shade & tried to keep from puking.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I think some bricks with some longer runs would have been useful but it is hard to fit them in with the races spaced so close together. Didn't do much training in the heat this year either.

Event comments:

A little frustrated with my run mainly since I have made some big improvements in training this year but haven't been able to carry it over to races. But even with a :15 slower swim and a :30 slower run than last year I was still about 13' faster overall, and the main thing is that I went under 6hrs so I am quite happy. It was also really cool to see BT'ers all over the course especially since I don't have anyone to come and cheer for me. The race was well run as always and it is always fun to have the pros breathing down your neck even if they are on their 2nd lap & you're on your 1st.




Last updated: 2007-01-25 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:43:47 | 1931 meters | 02m 16s / 100meters
Age Group: 77/97
Overall: 682/884
Performance: Below average
Out of the water at 42:40, about :15 slower than last year.
Suit: xterra full
Course: Out 4 buoys into the sun, then left for one, then down the backstretch before a final left turn into the beach.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 75F / 24C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 01:55
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
02:51:49 | 56.8 miles | 19.84 mile/hr
Age Group: 73/97
Overall: 536/884
Performance: Good
Lap 1: 1:26:52 - avg HR 145, max HR 168 Lap 2: 1:24:51 - avg HR 146, max HR 164
Wind: Little
Course: 1st 5 miles Steady uphill, then rollers up Rt. 36. A nice downhill after turning onto St. Vrain, them flat & fast with some rollers for the rest.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 90
Turns: Good Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:38
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:17:47 | 13.1 miles | 10m 31s  min/mile
Age Group: 64/97
Overall: 507/884
Performance: Below average
mile 1 - 9:49, mile 2 - 10:06, mile 3 - 10:29, mile 4 - 10:12, mile 5 - 10:16, mile 6 - 10:05, mile 7 - 10:16, mile 8 - 10:48, mile 9-10 - 21:29, mile 11 - 11:06, mile 12: 11:32, mile 13 - 10:53, 13.1 - :47
Course: 2 loops on exposed dirt roads around the res. Hills afeer mile 1 & 3
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
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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2007-08-13 1:35 PM

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Master
4101
20002000100
Denver
Subject: 5430 Long Course Triathlon


2007-08-13 1:45 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Pro
4228
2000200010010025
Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon

congrats on the sub-6 race Drew!  Way to gut it out (no pun intended).  Glad you didn't puke!

The heat is a killer.  I think your run would look a lot better with cooler temps.  maybe at Crescent Moon?  Of course, we'll probably have record heat that day or something. 

2007-08-13 2:45 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Expert
683
500100252525
Denver
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon
Great job on going under 6 hours out there Drew! I knew your bike would be faster than you were giving yourself credit for - glad it worked out that way. Apparently my bad karma rubbed off on you with the wetsuit getting stuck on your heels. Hope you didn't bring the noise even after the bananas and post-race food!
2007-08-13 4:20 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Veteran
165
1002525
Parker, CO
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon
Great race!!
Nice job getting in under 6 hours.
2007-08-13 4:40 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Expert
960
5001001001001002525
Highlands Ranch, CO
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon

Great race, Drew.  That run wasn't fun for any of us.  But way to stick with it and beat your prior time by 13 min. 


Congrats

2007-08-13 4:40 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Expert
767
5001001002525
Littleton, Colorado
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon

Nice work finishing sub 6:00, and cutting a ton of time from last year!  The heat really wreaked havoc on everyone's run times this year.



2007-08-13 7:36 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Regular
96
252525
Lakewood CO
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon
Good job taking 13' off your time.  I wish we would have met as we were in the same AG.  It would have been nice to chat with someone before the event.  I hope you were able to keep from puking!
2007-08-13 7:38 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Expert
622
500100
Conifer, Colorado
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon
Dude! HUGE improvement... awesome effort. But I need to know, did you puke? LOL.

Another bter posts big improvements... YEAH!
2007-08-13 10:24 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Westminster, CO
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon

very strong race and awesome improvement!

2007-08-14 8:32 AM
in reply to: #923989

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Expert
963
5001001001001002525
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon
Nice work dude!!!  You know you really pushed your limit when your stomach is doing somersaults after the race, so you did it right!  It was good to hang out w/ you after the race.  Hope you're recovering well
2007-08-14 11:25 AM
in reply to: #923989

Veteran
185
100252525
Philadelphia
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon
Nice job....and way to kick some ! Your improvement is fantastic!!!


2007-08-14 12:09 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Veteran
308
100100100
Denver, CO
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon
Nice work breaking 6, you've made some huge progress this year.
2007-08-14 2:45 PM
in reply to: #923989

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Official BT Coach
2210
2000100100
Englewood, CO
Subject: RE: 5430 Long Course Triathlon
Nice work out there Drew!  I think I saw you more times than in any other race.  You always looked calm in in good form.  Way to crush it out there!
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