TexasMan Olympic Triathlon - Triathlon


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Valley View, Texas
United States
Dallas Athletes Racing
48F / 9C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 48m 5s
Overall Rank = 36/155
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 4/18
Pre-race routine:

Up at 4:45, although I had been off and on awake since 2:30. Coffee, apple with peanut butter, oatmeal, and a banana for breakfast. Short prayer time, packed up, and left for the race by 5:30.
Event warmup:

Got to transition a bit later than planned. Setup was fine, but it was pretty cold. I spent my time learning the ins and outs of the transition area. Eventually got into my wetsuit. No real warm up.
Swim
  • 33m 37s
  • 1500 meters
  • 02m 14s / 100 meters
Comments:

High chop was tough. First loop felt rough, next two weren't so bad.

I was within a minute to 1.5 minutes of all but the top finisher in my AG. I still have a lot of room for improvement, but maybe I'm not as bad as I feel I am at swimming.
What would you do differently?:

Need more open water practice (and it is planned), but also probably need to get some good in-person instruction.
Transition 1
  • 06m 19s
Comments:

Strippers could not get my wetsuit off, as it caught on my timing chip. Took them a long time. Transition area was chipseal, and due to the high wind, the mats were removed. So, it hurt like heck getting to my bike.
What would you do differently?:

Hard to say. I didn't really have any control over the two biggest detriments to this transition. Had I known the conditions of the transition area, I might have brought sandals.
Bike
  • 1h 21m 36s
  • 24.1 miles
  • 17.72 mile/hr
Comments:

My pace was pretty slow, a lot slower than I would have guessed. The wind definitely played a big factor, as I think the effort was pretty good. I continue to remain fairly weak on hills.
What would you do differently?:

I took it somewhat easy the first 5 miles, as per the race plan. I think I could have and perhaps should have pushed it just a bit more a bit earlier. Given how windy it was, I really have no complaints about my effort level. I just am not a very strong cyclist.
Transition 2
  • 01m 43s
Comments:

Forgot to take off my helmet. Caught it quickly, though.
What would you do differently?:

Remember to remove my helmet.
Run
  • 44m 49s
  • 10 kms
  • 04m 29s  min/km
Comments:

Really felt it in my quads, particularly on the second loop. Pace on the first loop was right on target. Didn't really pick it up the second loop, even though that was the plan. Could have been a bit tougher mentally.
What would you do differently?:

This is hard to say, as I think the challenging bike had a big impact, but I would take the second half of the run harder. Maybe even go after the first half a bit harder.
Post race
Warm down:

Ha, that's funny.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

High wind. Mediocre swimming abilities. Bad transition area, and wetsuit catching my timing chip.

Event comments:

This was my first standard distance tri, and it was a good challenge. The event was very organized, and the emcee made light (in a good way) of the tough weather conditions. Plenty of law enforcement support on the bike course, which was very much appreciated.

This is my second Dallas Athletes Racing event this year. Both had bad weather conditions. That is not DAR's fault, but I am not inclined to do their early season events in the future simply because the weather is too unpredictable. I was disappointed in the post-race offerings - water, some Nuun, and eggs/sausage. Really, I'd just like some chocolate milk.

I had no time goal for this race, but I had it in my head to finish between 2:30 and 2:40. I definitely think the wind played a factor, and without the unusual T1 problems, I think I could go sub 2:40 on this course. The great news is that I felt fit enough to get through the whole race and, under better conditions, I think I could be competitive in my age group.




Last updated: 2017-02-27 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:33:37 | 1500 meters | 02m 14s / 100meters
Age Group: 7/18
Overall: 0/155
Performance: Average
Suit: Sleeveless AquaSphere wetsuit
Course: The swim course was modified the day before due to anticipated high wind. It went from one big loop to a 3 loop triangle with 2 beach runs. I appreciate the change for safety; I wish it had not been necessary.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 70F / 21C Current: High
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting: Average
Waves: Below average Navigation: Average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 06:19
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Below average Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:21:36 | 24.1 miles | 17.72 mile/hr
Age Group: 5/18
Overall: 0/155
Performance: Good
16:26, 13:50, 19:28, 15:51, 15:53
Wind: Strong with gusts
Course: Rural roads, mostly south to north, with one west-east/east-west leg
Road: Rough Dry Cadence: 90
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Average Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:43
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
00:44:49 | 10 kms | 04m 29s  min/km
Age Group: 2/18
Overall: 0/155
Performance: Average
7:24, 7:22, 7:24, 7:19, 7:23, 7:12, 0:43 My watch and the course mile markers did not agree.
Course: 2 loop 5k course. Some deceptive hills, smooth, with two turnarounds.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Ok
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