Saint Anthony's
-
No new posts
Saint Anthony's - TriathlonOlympic
View Member's Race Log
Swim
Comments: I started up near front which was fine, but I got tentative as the swim progressed. I think I was afraid to push it because I was worrying about hyperventilating. I sometimes found some good feet to follow, other times I got a face full of water. I had to work around the male Clydesdales and 55+ from earlier waves that I caught. Rule of thumb, don't draft swimmers from earlier waves. There is a reason I've caught them. On the other hand I was trying to catch on to the women from the next wave that had caught up with us. Some of them were really cooking. They make it look so easy. After last turn, I got a little off course because I thought I was swimming back towards the start. The wall looked like the beach. The finish arch should be a different color then start arch. What would you do differently?: I would have tried to be a little more aggressive, and not allow myself to be deceived by what I saw heading back. Also I need to work on building more strength for the catch and pull. Transition 1
Comments: I got out of the sleeves quickly, and left foot came out with no problem. The right leg got caught on the timing chip, so I ended out having to sit down and pull the suit the rest of the way off. Socks and shoes went on fine. I put glasses on and then helmet. My rack was closer to swim in, so I had longer run out with the bike. I mounted pretty cleanly and was able to get up to speed quickly. What would you do differently?: Figure out how to get the right leg not to get caught on the chip. Bike
Comments: It started off with a nice tailwind, and I felt really good. I was passing a lot of people from my wave and earlier waves. I didn't find the bike course congested at all. I had plenty of room to pass, and I didn't see much in the way of packs. I think being in the second of the women's waves helped. The older men and Clydesdales that I passed were spread out, so it wasn't bad. One of my personal challenges in races is to try to see how few women pass me. In my regular races in the northeast, I rarely get passed by other females. In a large race like this with the younger women starting behind me, that's not so easy to do. A fair number of younder women passed me. I always check out the age and as long as the woman is not in my age group I don't care. What I found weird was that I didn't see anyone in my own age group. I was thinking to myself that either I was getting totally trashed by my competition, or maybe my swim was better then I thought. As the bike ride progressed I encountered more headwinds. I swear the wind was blowing in every direction. I'd make a turn, and expect a tailwind, and bam! another headwind. I tried not to look at my computer too much, when the wind got bad I couldn't help but to peek, and see I was only doing 17. What would you do differently?: Pushed a little harder. I think I could have done a little more. Transition 2
Comments: I don't know what I was thinking about in terms of dismounting. As I approached the transition area I thought I was going to make another turn, and that would be the point I'd undo my straps and come out of my shoes. By the time I realized the dismount line was only yards away I didn't dare try to undo the straps, pull out with little room to spare. I ended out leaving my shoes on, and taking them off in the transition area. What would you do differently?: Pay more attention to where the entance to transition is. That was senior moment. :-) Run
Comments: Running and I are not the best of friends, but I do what I can. I started out well. It seemed like it was forever to the first mile mark, but I looked at my watch and I came in at 8:46. Many passed me, and I even passed people. I can't drink a lot so I take one cup at each water stop, drink 1/2 and dump the rest on my head. At the second mile I'm at 17:40, so I'm slowing down, but still under 9 minute miles. I keep my eye out for others in my age group. I can't really tell who is coming in the other direction. Since my wave was 45+ anyone with the numbers in that range could be in one of many different age groups. As women pass I check out their calves. They're all younger then me. I'm fighting to not slow down, and my feet are hurting some, but as I get later into the run, I remind myself that the race is almost over. I missed the 5 mile marker, but I could tell I was almost there. I picked up the pace as much as I could. I was still mystified by the fact that I had not seen anyone from my age group, but pleased that I had not been passed. I kicked it in at the end, out sprinting a fellow TNT'er. What would you do differently?: There's not much else I could have done given my foot issues, and reduced run training. It was the fastest 10K I've done in my last 3 Olympic distance races. Post race
Warm down: I walked for a while, and found the TNT tent. I then proceeded to eat everything in sight. :-) What limited your ability to perform faster: It was a hard winter, and my training wasn't where I would have like it to be. Event comments: Even though I was hoping to do a faster time, I was thrilled with my result. Going into the race I felt Top 10 was quite realistic. Top 5 I felt was wishful thinking, but possible if I had a great race. When I saw my time, I didn't think it would be good enough for Top 5, so I was totally stunned by 3rd place. Last updated: 2005-01-26 12:00 AM
|
|
{postbutton}
2005-04-26 10:29 PM |
|
2005-04-27 12:39 AM in reply to: #148701 |
2005-04-27 7:52 AM in reply to: #148701 |
2005-04-27 8:09 AM in reply to: #148701 |
2005-04-27 9:20 AM in reply to: #148701 |
2005-04-27 1:21 PM in reply to: #148701 |
|
2005-04-27 8:54 PM in reply to: #148701 |
2005-04-27 11:08 PM in reply to: #148829 |
2005-04-28 4:55 PM in reply to: #148701 |
2005-04-28 7:27 PM in reply to: #148701 |
General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
{postbutton}
United States
72F / 22C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 1108/3151
Age Group = F 50-54
Age Group Rank = 3/35
Saturday was a busy day. We did a short group ride, followed by a swim from the swim exit. This gave me a chance to see the stairs, and get familar with the exiting process. I rode back to the hotel because I had forgotten a few things that I wanted to be on the bike when I racked it. I racked the bike, but had to leave it hanging by the handlebars. The racks were so high my front wheel was dangling of the ground. With the wind I figured I might find the bike in Tampa Bay on race day. That's the problem when you ride a 48 cm frame with 650 wheels.
I had dinner with Team in Training at 4:30 in the afternoon! Afterwards I went back to the room, and loaded up my transition bag. I have a simple, but comprehensive check list to make sure I remember everything. Until an item goes into the bag, it doesn't get checked off.
Stopped in to meet the BT gang after their dinner. It was great to put some faces and real names to screen names. I'm sorry I didn't make it over earlier.
Afterwards I returned to my room to indulge in my usual night before ritual which involves soaking in a warm tub, and shaving my legs one last time. I know for females the leg shaving thing isn't quite the same as for guys, but there's something I like about nice smooth legs for a race.
Race morning I'm up at 4:30. I eat 1 1/2 Clif Bars, and drink a Juice Plus Complete shake. I meet my TNT group in the lobby, and we walk to the transition area. From the St. Pete Hilton it's well over a mile.
I usually like to ride my bike as a warm up but that doesn't happen in these rack the night before races. I don't run as a warm up. I like to keep my running to the race distance.
After being tossed from transition at 7:00 am I make my way to the swim start. More walking! I mellow out with my iPod, and wait. Shortly before my start I get in the water, do a few pickups, and adjust the goggles.