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Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR - TriathlonSprint


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Seattle, Washington
United States
Beneroya Research Institute and SeaFair
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 32m 5s
Overall Rank = 826/1480
Age Group = 25-29
Age Group Rank = 57/124
Pre-race routine:

I got up at 4am, ate a small bowl of granola and took a hot shower to loosen up. I then got dressed and fried a couple of eggs with a bit of kale thrown in.

At 5am I put all my stuff in the car and headed to Steward Park. Despite the fact that I arrived half an hour after transition opened, I managed to score a sweet parking spot. It was half a block from the Steward Park, less than two from the transition entrance. :)
Event warmup:

I walked my things down to the transition area and started setting up on the assigned rack. I jogged back to the car to put away some extra stuff and grabbed my wetsuit. I returned to transition and finished setting up. I was assigned to a rack near the swim and run exit. The bike exit was on the opposite end.

I almost forgot to mention...I duct-taped my transition marker to the end of the rack.

I was in wave seven so there was a bit of time before my start. I swam a little bit, stretched and made a trip to the head.
Swim
  • 15m 5s
  • 880 yards
  • 01m 43s / 100 yards
Comments:

It was a typical crowded start...just trying keep the other gals from pushing me off course. I plowed into a few people who had navigating issues. There was a gal on my right side after the first 100 yards and for the remainder of the first leg of the swim. If we were much closer our shoulders would have been touching. I kept whacking her...little whacks to remind her that a bit of crowding wasn't going to make me change my course. ;)

Once I rounded the first buoy it was no longer an issue. Nearly everyone aimed wide of the next mark. My navigation was great. I sighted about every 18 strokes and was only off course twice-and that was only by a few degrees. At this point I was catching up with the back of the previous wave pass a few guys from the previous wave (M 25-29). That is always a nice boost for my self confidence...sorry guys. I rounded the next corner and was able to sight the swim finish.

I felt like the swim was taking a whole lot of effort. I kept reminding myself to lighten up my kick. All the years on swim teams had drilled in the importance of a powerful flutter kick. I have to unlearn this now that I have started tri-ing.

It seemed like the last 200 yards were the easiest. I had a row of orange buoys leading me to the finish. Mentally I felt like I was already there. I continued to pass people from the previous waves and gals in my wave that were running out of steam. (I suppose that there were a few people that passed me as well ;)) I maintained a fairly consistent pace through the entire swim. I put out more effort towards the end, but my stoke had gotten a bit sloppy. I swam until my fingers were in the sand, passing lots of struggling waders in the process. I stood up and left the water with only one or two off balance steps and then I ran the remainder of the distance to transition and my rack.

I dropped more than 3.5 minutes from the last time I swam this course. (It was just an OWS and I had a migraine the day before...I am not sure how much these factors effected the time.)

What would you do differently?:

I can't think of much. I could use some more practice in crowded chaotic starts.

Put in a bit more training...I had done very little swimming over the past 3 months.
Transition 1
  • 02m 28s
Comments:

My transition marker rocks!!! I received a bunch of thank yous from other athletes racked near me. :)

I had unzipped the wetsuit as I made my way through transition. I pulled my cap off right as I came to my bike. The rental wetsuit came of much more easily than my farmer john suit. I was still slowed down a bit at my ankles, but I didn't need to resort to sitting down. Socks and shoes on, sunglasses and helmet on, grabbed my gloves, some fuel, and my bike. I displayed my usual clumsiness trying to leave T-1. I don't seem to be capable of sticking something in my pocket and running with my bike at the same time.

The clumsiness only lasted a few moments then I cruised through the remainder of transition and to the mounting line.
I held off on the gloves until I was a quarter of a mile into the ride.


What would you do differently?:

Not forget the bento box for my bike...that way my little bit of nourishment and gloves are stashed before the race starts.


Bike
  • 45m 4s
  • 12 miles
  • 15.98 mile/hr
Comments:

Aerobars are awesome! I picked up at least 2 miles an hour without any extra effort and was much more comfortable. Did I mention that this was the first time I have ever used aerobars aside from spinning? :o
There were a few slight wobbles. I didn't use them on the tighter corners, nor did I use them when people were passing two at a time. There was a lot of room on the course, but when there are 3 bikes side by side going each direction there is less room for error. This is especially true when the slowest of the bunch is oblivious to their surroundings. towards the end of the bike there was a steady stream of fast bikers folks from latter waves (and relays) passing me. Because of the faster traffic on my left I was unable to one rider until I 'asked' him to move right.

I had some bike issues with about a mile and a half to go. The chain jammed itself in the cassette a couple of times. I dismounted to free it. As far as bike problems go it was an easy fix.

What would you do differently?:

Spend a bit of time training on my bike so that I discover its issues before a race.

Have my bike properly fitted and the aero bars properly positioned. I suppose that I could buy a bike that is better suited to racing. I received my current bike as a gift for my 13th birthday.

Overall Placement after the bike leg: 875
Transition 2
  • 01m 32s
Comments:

I slowed a bit as I approached the dismount line and hopped off my bike. As I took the first few strides I nearly bit it. My legs had forgotten how to jog and barely remembered how to walk. After a couple more clumsy steps they remembered what to do and I jogged my bike to my rack. My oh my, that transition area was big and I was racked waaaaay down at the far end. Thank goodness for the marker. :)

I racked my bike without problems, dumped my helmet and gloves, grabbed my hat and water bottle and was out of there. I guess that I should mention that ran towards the bike exit, not the run exit. :O Fortunately I realized my mistake before I got very far.
What would you do differently?:

Make sure that my legs aren't noodles before I jump off my bike.
Run
  • 27m 57s
  • 3.1 miles
  • 09m 01s  min/mile
Comments:

I ran. I chatted with a few of the other athletes as I passed them-a little encouragement and lighthearted joking. And then there were runners that flew past me.

I admit, I didn't run the entire course, I decided that I my goal was to get a good time. As the hill became steeper my calves locked up and I switched to a long striding walk. I can walk really fast and passed quite a few folks that were running. I returned to a run at the top of the hill and picked up the pace right after the turn around.

Why do people slow down when they are going down hills? I let gravity help me out. By staying low and lengthening my stride I can cover a lot of ground without pounding the pavement. I reached the bottom of the hill and continued along the lake. Now that the infamous hill was out of the way I picked the pace up a little bit. I passed more runners and was passed by others. after rounding a few more bends I caught a glimpse of the finish. I was almost there. I upped my pace a bit more and finished strong.
What would you do differently?:

Push myself harder...familiarize myself with the course prior to the race so I know how to pace myself.
Post race
Warm down:

lots of walking, a little jogging and stretching. Lots of fluids, some fruit, and half an energy bar.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Bike malfunction, lack of training

Event comments:

My best race yet. :)


Profile Album


Last updated: 2009-07-13 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:15:05 | 880 yards | 01m 43s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/124
Overall: 525/1480
Performance: Good
a 1:43 pace :)
Suit: Blue Seventy Reaction
Course: Triangle
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:28
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
00:45:04 | 12 miles | 15.98 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/124
Overall: 1165/1480
Performance: Good
Bike: an old Diamond Back Sorento (mountain bike) that I have fixed up a little.
Wind: None
Course: Along Lake WA Boulevard, up a service road to the I-90 express lanes, across the floating bridge(the second longest in the world), through a half mile long tunnel and then back again. An extra bonus-the tunnel is a long banked curve.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:32
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Below average
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Average
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:27:57 | 03.1 miles | 09m 01s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/124
Overall: 947/1480
Performance: Good
Course: It was on a good sized paved path...wide enough for a truck to drive it. Ran along the lake, turned and ran up a big ol' hill, turned around and ran back down the hill returning to lake, continue down the paved path to the finish line.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? No
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2009-07-25 2:03 AM

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Champion
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Sequim, Washington
Subject: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR


2009-07-25 7:01 AM
in reply to: #2307165

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Resident Curmudgeon
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The Road Back
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Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
Nice race!

You look really triathlete-ish on those aerobars!
2009-07-25 8:00 AM
in reply to: #2307165

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Pro
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Burbs
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
congrats on a great race!  (I have that wetsuit -- the blue seventy reaction sleveless.)
2009-07-25 12:00 PM
in reply to: #2307228

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Champion
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Sequim, Washington
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
the bear - 2009-07-25 5:01 AM Nice race!

You look really triathlete-ish on those aerobars!



Thanks...    I thought that I looked like a silly git that didn't know how to properly fit her bike.
2009-07-25 2:28 PM
in reply to: #2307165

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2009-07-25 2:41 PM
in reply to: #2307165

MotoQueen
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Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
Great job Mel.  Way to stay on course with the swim.  Aeros on the bike - awesome.  You look great in the pics.


2009-07-25 3:51 PM
in reply to: #2307165

Extreme Veteran
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Seattle
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
Nice job and great pics!  Next race just get a smiley swim pic and you'll have the whole set!

2009-07-25 4:11 PM
in reply to: #2307650

Champion
7931
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Sequim, Washington
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
danielc - 2009-07-25 1:51 PM Nice job and great pics!  Next race just get a smiley swim pic and you'll have the whole set!

In one of the other swim finish photos I looked like I was about to puke. 


Edited by mchally 2009-07-25 4:13 PM
2009-07-26 7:41 AM
in reply to: #2307674

Master
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Suwanee, Ga.
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
Awesome job.
2009-07-26 8:33 AM
in reply to: #2307165

Buttercup
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Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR

Congrats, Melissa! Good job on your race.

2009-07-26 4:24 PM
in reply to: #2307165

Iron Donkey
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, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR

I don't know what a git is, but I do see a triathlete having fun in her triathlon!!

Teach me how to swim fast.

Nice job, Melissa!



2009-07-27 3:17 PM
in reply to: #2307165

Expert
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Portland, Oregon
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
Great job - love the flat bars with aero extensions!
2009-07-28 12:06 AM
in reply to: #2310862

Champion
7931
5000200050010010010010025
Sequim, Washington
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
kirih - 2009-07-27 1:17 PM Great job - love the flat bars with aero extensions!


I figured that I would just skip the road bike portion.
2009-07-31 1:25 PM
in reply to: #2307165

Expert
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia
Subject: RE: Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR
Good race.  That was pretty brave to go w/ aero first time in a race.  I'm still working on it.  ;-)
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