Lake Wilderness Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


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Maple Valley, WA, Washington
United States
72F / 22C
Overcast
Total Time = 2h 45m 32s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 3/4
Pre-race routine:

Had an energy bar at the hotel, coffee and water on the way. Got to the lake around 6:15 to get set up. Weather was good, overcast, cool but not cold.
Event warmup:

Somehow time got away from me, because all of a sudden they were saying 17 minutes to race and I was not even getting ready. Had to rush a bit. Got into the water about 5 minutes before race time, but wasn't enough for a good warm up.
Swim
  • 18m 9s
  • 850 meters
  • 02m 07s / 100 meters
Comments:

Oh sigh. Because of lack of warm up, could not get good breathing. Just talked myself through it: 'slow, easy strokes, don't rush, don't worry about anyone else'. Realized that I was not breathing out in the water. Took until around the second buoy (~halfway) before I really felt like I had control. Did ok on the second half with breathing. BUT: I am recognizing what I am doing wrong (not breathing out), am able to control my thoughts and emotions, and eventually finish ok. AND, I drifted way less than the lass OWS I did, and I felt as though I did really well with sighting. Definitely need more OW practice, but I am able to take the positives from this.
What would you do differently?:

Warm up better and more practice.
Transition 1
  • 02m 56s
Comments:

Helped another racer with her wetsuit--more on her later. Was just out of transition when I realized that I wasn't wearing my glasses, so back I went. Then my watch went on the fritz and I had to restart it.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing really.
Bike
  • 1h 35m 46s
  • 41.7 kms
  • 26.13 km/hr
Comments:

Happy with my bike. Wanted to keep my HR under control and I feel as though I did that. I was very happy with my cadence and gear changes. I think I could have gone harder, but still figuring out what my body is willing to do! I did feel as though my hip flexors or hamstrings were thinking about cramping up, but all was fine.

Some fun on the bike: at one point I lifted my head just as I tree reached it's branch out, and I smacked my head. Luckily it was a very small tree and I was wearing a helmet :). Got passed by a few guys on their their zippy bikes and helmets and all of them said something encouraging--I love this about this sport. Worried, as usual, the whole time about flatting. I know I can deal with it, but I worry still...

I took two bottles on the ride, 1 with a serving/package of Perpetuem, 1 plain water--total of about 1.3 litres. Wanted to be finished the Perpetuem bottle (600ml) by km 35 and did. Drank about 3/4 of plain water bottle (about 550ml). No GI issues, this seems to be working well for me.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, wanted to practice nutrition and pacing and both went well.
Transition 2
  • 01m 40s
Comments:

No troubles
Run
  • 46m 59s
  • 7.44 kms
  • 06m 19s  min/km
Comments:

Nice gravel trail around the lake. No where near the advertised 6.5 miles! Started out feeling like I was super slow, checked my watch, and saw I was pretty much where I wanted to be. Weird how that works. Kept pretty much the same pace all the way, which is good. There were 2 different out/back points and again saw the woman that I helped in T1.
What would you do differently?:

Maybe push a little more? Maybe not. Overall happy.
Post race
Warm down:

Some stretching, had a few snacks. I was packing up as the woman I have mentioned came into transition. She asked me how my race went, I told her, asked her the same. We chatted for a few minutes, talking about how it is nice to have someone there to cheer you on, when she told me that this was her first Tri since her father died last year mountain biking in the area. She has been training for IMLP, which she is dedicating to her father. He did see her race IMCdA just before he died. She now lived in California, but was back in her hometown for a cousin's graduation. I got chills as she talked about how she felt connected with her dad on this race, and how she felt like he was out there with her. What an inspirational story!
Had to ride back to the agility trial, so got another 15km in on my June Challenge :)

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Just pushing harder. First Oly, wasn't sure what to expect. I think I could push a bit more. I am learning each time I race, which is all I want. Overall I am happy with this effort; I had some goals and I achieved them. Now, about that OWS practice......

Event comments:

Disappointed that both the swim and the run were quite a bit shorter than they were meant to be. It was a sanctioned event, so surprising.




Last updated: 2012-05-06 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:18:09 | 850 meters | 02m 07s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/4
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Suit: Orca Equip
Course: Out to the left of the first buoy, around the far buoy, in to the right of the third buoy, then to shore.
Start type: Wade Plus: Shot
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Below average Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:56
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:35:46 | 41.7 kms | 26.13 km/hr
Age Group: 0/4
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course: Lollipop. Mostly flat/rolling hills. A couple bigger hills but manageable.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 86
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:40
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:46:59 | 07.44 kms | 06m 19s  min/km
Age Group: 0/4
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Course: Around the lake
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? No
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3