General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Time or Experience? Rss Feed  
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2014-04-14 12:32 PM


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Subject: Time or Experience?
OK whats more important finishing time or the experience?
This weekend I competed in super sprint tri. Personally felt like I did bad in everything but transitions, but hten when I got my finishing time I was 7 minutes faster than previous year and under my self set goal. Shouls I put stock in the time or what I felt was a bad showing on my part?
PS Im a total newbie as this is only 3rd race ever.


2014-04-14 1:46 PM
in reply to: geraghty34

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?

Originally posted by geraghty34 OK whats more important finishing time or the experience? This weekend I competed in super sprint tri. Personally felt like I did bad in everything but transitions, but hten when I got my finishing time I was 7 minutes faster than previous year and under my self set goal. Shouls I put stock in the time or what I felt was a bad showing on my part? PS Im a total newbie as this is only 3rd race ever.

 

This is one of those questions where you ask 10 people and you get 10 different answers. For me, the shorter distance races are all about time, however; moving up in distance each season changed that. The first race of any new distance for me (talking about HIM and IM) the first race was all about experience, then I worry about time. In other words, I had done several sprints and Olympic races and always had a time goal, but once I moved to a HIM, that first race was all about finishing, same with IM.

Now that I have those under my belt, my focus will be more about time, because I have had the experience. I hope I explained that well enough as to be understood.

2014-04-14 2:06 PM
in reply to: geraghty34

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?

Both, or neither, depending on the event.

Okay, how's that for non-commitment?

Seriously though, I only do a couple tri's a year these days (if that -- this year will probably be only one), and they're pretty much all sprints. That one this year will be with my wife, at her side the whole way (go ahead, DQ me for pacing). Not a time thing at all. But if I'm racing by myself, it's for time/place.

2014-04-14 2:21 PM
in reply to: briderdt

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?
How I execute is the most important thing for me. Time will be variable based on conditions. If I ever finish on the podium, then I won't really care about time or execution, as that will be all that matters. But, for basically me, a guy that would like to move up into the top 25% of the race, execution is what I can control. Did I prep for the race, did I pace myself well, did I ride and run smart, did I eat and drink right, and did I leave everything I had on the course? If I did that well, then I'm happy with my race. Its never perfect, but some races I do pretty good by that metric, so that leaves me happy.
2014-04-14 2:41 PM
in reply to: geraghty34

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?

Originally posted by geraghty34 OK whats more important finishing time or the experience? This weekend I competed in super sprint tri. Personally felt like I did bad in everything but transitions, but hten when I got my finishing time I was 7 minutes faster than previous year and under my self set goal. Shouls I put stock in the time or what I felt was a bad showing on my part? PS Im a total newbie as this is only 3rd race ever.

You finished faster than your pre-race goal and set a PR by 7 minutes.  What exactly did you do in each of the 3 legs to make you feel as though you did them poorly?  Take satisfaction in the finish time, but use the race as a learning experience.... work on what you think you could have improved on and be faster the next time.

2014-04-14 3:35 PM
in reply to: Birkierunner

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?

This will be my 4th year in triathlons.  I will be mostly doing Olympics and I'm all about getting a good time. Sure conditions, weather, health, current fitness level, equipment upgrades all play into my time improvements or setbacks. 

When it's said and done, I want to cross the finish line in an Olympic event and hope to God to see a 2:14:59 or better.  For me, it's all about the time... at least this year.

 

 



2014-04-14 4:59 PM
in reply to: geraghty34

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?

Originally posted by geraghty34 OK whats more important finishing time or the experience? This weekend I competed in super sprint tri. Personally felt like I did bad in everything but transitions, but hten when I got my finishing time I was 7 minutes faster than previous year and under my self set goal. Shouls I put stock in the time or what I felt was a bad showing on my part? PS Im a total newbie as this is only 3rd race ever.

 

The answer depends upon you.  Whichever goal gives you a happy result, or instills a drive to improve, or whatever.... whichever one gives you the positive you are seeking to get from this sport is what is important.

There are lessons to be learned and silver linings in every race... find them and learn from them.  Even on a bad day, you take away something positive.

2014-04-14 11:48 PM
in reply to: geraghty34

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?
Originally posted by geraghty34

OK whats more important finishing time or the experience?
This weekend I competed in super sprint tri. Personally felt like I did bad in everything but transitions, but hten when I got my finishing time I was 7 minutes faster than previous year and under my self set goal. Shouls I put stock in the time or what I felt was a bad showing on my part?
PS Im a total newbie as this is only 3rd race ever.


The great thing about triathlon is you get to make the rules.

What do you think? Which one will help you move forward? Which one shows your progress? Which one helps you motivate?
2014-04-15 11:26 AM
in reply to: AdventureBear

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?
I thought about this and overall experience is more important. Unless your in some sort of team competition only one who care about your finishing time is you. You and the RD care if you had a good experience during the race. Let face it unless your pro or trying to be we all do this for fun anyways.

You worked hard and you think you could do better. Well you can learn and do better next race. Nothing like getting a PR. Now if you trained faster than you raced that is not farfetched. Remember you swim before you bike and you swam and bike before your run. When you train typically you do not do that so your times may not be as good in a race. Remember a triathlon is not 3 separate events its a single race.

Keep up the good work. May you be faster in your next race.
2014-04-15 1:51 PM
in reply to: geraghty34

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?
Neither? Both? Do I have to pick?

I am also a total newbie but have been to a ton of running events.

Timing is a big part of competing and I am sure it will become more so as I get a larger frame of reference in Triathlon. Personal records at a distance really drive me.

I love AG placing as another measure. My aim for every event I enter is to be top 50% for may age group. Which I take as a personal measure of how well I am aging.

Experience is important. I would rather race a new course than a repeat. And only the races with the best course or experience would make me come back.
2014-04-15 1:57 PM
in reply to: badmo77a

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Seattle
Subject: RE: Time or Experience?

Totally personal.

And personally, I care way more about how I raced than I do my placing or my time.

Time can be dependent on a ton of variables, such as weather and course profile. Placing depends on who shows up. Those are all things that you can't really control.



2014-04-15 5:01 PM
in reply to: Asalzwed

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Subject: RE: Time or Experience?
Originally posted by Asalzwed

Totally personal.

And personally, I care way more about how I raced than I do my placing or my time.

Time can be dependent on a ton of variables, such as weather and course profile. Placing depends on who shows up. Those are all things that you can't really control.




This. Evaluate your own experience AND result based on reasonable goals and expectations.
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