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 Swim
Comments: I had not practiced any open water swimming before the race. I was originally planning an open water swim practice when I was thinking about renting a wetsuit, but without a wetsuit, I was not going to drive an hour up to Lake Lanier for a 15 minute cold water swim practice. I swam very well if the direction of travel was not an important factor. I kept veering off to the right anytime I took a breath from the side instead of looking up to sight. I must have added at least 50 meters to the course, and I would not be shocked if I added 100 meters. After the race, my wife commented that she wondered where I was swimming to when I should have been headed to the finish of the swim. Still I had passed several people on the swim, and I felt good exiting the water. I am sure I could have swum the course much closer to 10 minutes with better navigation. What would you do differently?: Well, I need to practice swimming straight and navigation. As the weather warms up, I'll get in some open water swims. I also need to figure out some ways to practice open water swimming skills in the pool. Some weight lifting to balance out my strenght may help. Oh, and I really should learn to breath to both sides instead of just my right.  Transition 1
Comments: Because of a broken timing system, the T1, bike, and T2 times are just guesses from the total time of 48 minutes for all phases. I trotted out of the water and to my bike at a reasonable pace. I dried off my feet before slipping on my socks and shoes, which probably helped with getting them on. I strapped on my helmet before toughing my bike. I left my transition area a little messy, and I should figure out a better way of organizing it. When I was almost at the bike mount line, I realized I forgot my glasses, but I decided not to go back for them. In hindsight, I am not sure if this was a good or bad thing. Keeping the spray of mud from the wet roads out of my eyes was annoying, but I would probably had to keep wipping of my glasses if I had them on. What would you do differently?: Better transition organization.  Bike
Comments: Because of a broken timing system, the T1, bike, and T2 times are just guesses from the total time of 48 minutes for all phases. The strong down pour that happened while on the bike did not affect me much. I also did not drink much, because I did not feel that I needed it. I did about what I expected. What would you do differently?: I just need more time training on my bike and perhaps eventually get a road bike. Transition 2
Comments: For the whole second half of the bike ride my feet were soaking wet. This made it very difficult for me to slide my running shoes onto wet socks. What would you do differently?: Maybe get some of Yankz or other quick shoe closure system, so I can slide on untied shoes.  Run
Comments: The run was tough. My running shoes were instantly soaked, though I am pretty sure they were dry when I took them out of my bag. I am not sure if they got more soaked from wicking the water from socks, which were previously sitting in pools of water in my cycling shoes, or if my running shoes got wet from the continuing rain. I felt like I was running with bricks on my feet. It was nice to cross that finish line. What would you do differently?: Maybe a change of socks would have helped me feel better on the run, but I am not sure they are needed for such a short course. Post race
Warm down: Walk over to the post-race shelter and enjoy a few chocolate chip cookies. What limited your ability to perform faster: Poor navigation on the swim. My mountain bike may not be ideal for road racing, but I'll stick with it for now. As for the run, sometimes you just have to put up with the weather. Event comments: This was a good first race, and the rain just made it more interesting. Last updated: 2010-04-29 12:00 AM
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United States
Tri the Parks Triathlon Race Series
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 406/492
Age Group = Novice
Age Group Rank = 32/45
I woke at 4:30am to the sound of pouring rain and wondered if months of anticipation for my first tri would have to be delayed until another race. A quick check of the race website and email had no notice about cancellation. Furthermore weather.com had the rain pausing from 8am to 10am, the exact time needed for the race.
I had my now customary (from running races) 2 pieces of toast with Vegemite and 16 oz of water. I also brough a banana and granola bar in the car just in case I felt hungry on the drive over.
I woke the wife and 5am, and we were out the door at 5:15.
Twice on the 1.5 hour drive to John Tanner Park, we had to slow down because of the pouring rain. The lightning gave momentary impressions of daylight. I reassured the wife that if the lightning continued we would not be allowed into the water, and we both hoped that we would not be the only ones at the park when we arrived.
The park was already packed with activity when we arrived at 6:40. I picked up my race packet and received the first part of my ceremonial initiation into triathlon - race number markings on both shoulders and thighs and group letter "N" on my calf. I went back to the car to retrieve my gear and bring it to the transition area. At the transition I just watched other to see how to setup. Note to self: those large buckets that some racers where using for their gear seemed quite handy.
Watching the 6 earlier groups have their start and pacing slightly to control nervous energy.