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Venice YMCA Triathlon - Triathlon


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Venice, Florida
United States
South County Family YMCA
Sunny
Total Time = 00m
Overall Rank = 89/211
Age Group = M 45-49
Age Group Rank = 15/23
Pre-race routine:

No food, which was a change. Usually I have a bagel, but the reading I've been doing prompted me to stay away from that. Got in early, got set up in transition and walked through the mount/dismount lines for familiarization. I had the shoes on the bike for a postman mount and made sure the gearing was correct. Set up run stuff on my mat.
Event warmup:

A bit of swimming, out to the sandbar and back.
Swim
  • 10m 41s
  • 440 yards
  • 02m 26s / 100 yards
Comments:

Meh, based on all the results I've seen, the course was long. 1 person went under 7 minutes, which is odd for this race.
What would you do differently?:

Keep on swimming. I saw an increase in my comfort level, which I can only attribute to the lessons and repetition. My time did not significantly improve, but I was less tired upon exit. So, continued practice sounds like a good plan.
Transition 1
  • 01m 40s
Comments:

I saved time here, enough that I was able to come out of T1 ahead of Dan, who had swum a full minute faster than I. Improvements have been made from past races. Finally. The only minus was that I didn't grab my flask of honey.
What would you do differently?:

Keep working on the little stuff, I see improvements there.
Bike
  • 34m 46s
  • 12.1 miles
  • 20.88 mile/hr
Comments:

The part I like. Coming out of T1 was a bit interesting as the 3 guys in front of me seemed to line up across the road, stop, and mount in unison. I ran past them on the left and then got my left foot on my left shoe, pushed one last time, then slid into the saddle pretty smoothly. A few pedal strokes and out onto the course. I got my right foot in, left foot in, tightened down the straps, and headed to the first of 6 180* turns. The ride itself was fairly uneventful. I kept my tempo up, my head down and my sighte forward. And I passed a bunch of folks. I hit the Hammer Gel at the start of lap 2, which I had stashed in my Bento box. Good thing it was there, what with the honey mistake in T1. Coming into the final lap, there was a cluster of racers across the road, not passing, just side by side. I had to slow for that, and it cost me a few seconds. NBD. Each of the turnarounds went pretty well. I downshifted, got out of aero and on the brakes, went around and then back onto the aero bars smootly. ABout .25 miles out from the end I slid my feet out of the shoes and eased up just a bit. Someone pulled around me as we pulled into the parking lot for T2, but it was kind of funny when I passed him back as we dismounted. The rolling dismount into a run worked perfectly.
What would you do differently?:

Nada, other than bring the honey. I love the aero bottle for water with the straw in my face. Constant reminder.
Transition 2
  • 01m 52s
Comments:

I may have had time to bake a pie! WTF, this should have been under a minute, but NO, I have to struggle with my shoes again. This is the third straight race that this has happened. ARGH. Finally got the shoes settled, grabbed my belt and visor and off I went.
What would you do differently?:

If this is the worst thing in the race (it was) than I am in a pretty good spot. I may have to look into a shoe adjustment, but of my 99 problems in life, this isn't one of them.
Run
  • 32m 25s
  • 5 kms
  • 06m 29s  min/km
Comments:

It is hot, there is a channel of stifling hot air that doesn't move at one point, and I hate running in races. Other than that, it was great. Actually, it really was great, since I only slowed for water. Non-stop running (if I can call it that) for the rest of the course. I am slowly coming around to the belief that I can do this and it's only taken 5 years to get there.
What would you do differently?:

Run faster, which is one part of my off season focus for this winter.
Post race
Warm down:

Wander around and find shade and water.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Me. Really, it is like our friend Kirsten has observed, "If I get out of my head..." So, this is the takeaway to work on. Mental growth. Work on the mental as well as the physical, but I know which of those 2 is really the limiter at this point. I've made small steps already, so I feel really good about it moving forward.

Event comments:

I always enjoy this race. Brad does a good job and the support on the course from volunteers and spectators is really cool.




Last updated: 2015-05-13 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:10:41 | 440 yards | 02m 26s / 100yards
Age Group: 11/23
Overall: 0/211
Performance: Average
Suit: N/A
Course: 50 meters out, left turn. 300 meters, and another 90* left. Final 50 meters in to the beach.
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 84F / 29C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 01:40
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
00:34:46 | 12.1 miles | 20.88 mile/hr
Age Group: 10/23
Overall: 0/211
Performance: Good
Wind: None
Course: Three loops on Harbor Dr.
Road: Rough  Cadence:
Turns: Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:52
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Average
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:32:25 | 05 kms | 06m 29s  min/km
Age Group: 18/23
Overall: 0/211
Performance: Average
Course: Out of T2, 180* turn, back past tansition and into the park. Out of the park and down to the south end of Harbor Dr. 180* turn around and head back. Finish up in the parking lot, just a few hundred yards from where this all started.
Keeping cool Average 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? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2015-09-10 10:59 AM

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Master
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Englewood, Florida
Subject: Venice YMCA Triathlon


2015-09-10 11:17 AM
in reply to: #5139800

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Master
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Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Congrats. Sounds like you had an enjoyable race, and that is the most important aspect!

Good job on the rolling mount/dismount. 6 X 180's?!?!?!?!?!? Yuk!

Yeah, the mental thing. I really notice it when on the MTB. I cruise along pretty good until something scares me. I get more bold each time but it's still my brain, not ability, that usually makes me bail off.

 

2015-09-10 12:41 PM
in reply to: 0

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Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Sounds like you had a solid race, with your only (minor) complaint being your honey mishap and T2 times.  Great work, especially on the bike!

A friend who I used to race with in PA moved to FL in the past year and she did this race as well, but I didn't put 2 and 2 together until it was too late, otherwise I'd have had one or the other of you say 'hi' to one or the other!



Edited by melbo55 2015-09-10 12:44 PM
2015-09-10 1:33 PM
in reply to: melbo55

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Seattle
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

So, what have you read that inspired you to go bagel-less? And how did that go, would you do it again?

And you can have  both mental and physical limiters, trust me But remember, those are opportunities. 

 

Great job Chris! 

2015-09-10 1:43 PM
in reply to: #5139800

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Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

I'm glad that someone else thought the swim course was long.   It looked like it was definitely more than 50M from the shore out to the buoy line.

Good job. Glad you enjoyed it.

Mark 

2015-09-10 2:17 PM
in reply to: #5139800

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Pro
6520
50001000500
Bellingham, WA
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Great job Chris.  Lots of good things.  Same time, less tired on the swim is a win in my book.

Nice job on the dismount.  It is amazing how the little things add up.



2015-09-10 2:42 PM
in reply to: #5139800

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Master
2429
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Falls Church, Virginia
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon
Congrats on a great race. Your mount and dismount sounds impressive!
2015-09-10 2:47 PM
in reply to: popsracer

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Master
3888
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Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon
Nice work Chris, I need to learn that flying dismount thing one of these days. Way to execute!
2015-09-10 8:35 PM
in reply to: reecealan

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Master
6834
5000100050010010010025
Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Thanks all.

TJ - Yep, 6 U turns.  There is a fair bit of slowing and accelerating, but it's not bad.  I truly think most of us could use some bike handling skill improvement, I know I would benefit.  MTB really showed me how bad my skill set is.

Melanie - I still haven't met Mark and we've done this race "together" for a few years. I think I'm in my own world for most of the morning.

Adrienne - The food advice I've been reading is to intake no solid foods 3 hours before a race, and I get up and am racing in less time than that.  So, I went with water and gel during the race. It will be my standard going forward, as I felt really good all race.

Mark - I have to go back and check, but I think the swim has been long for a couple years now, but it might have been a different race.  I'm glad to know you thought the same, I feel a bit better about my swim.  

Steve - It is interesting how much each little part can add (or subtract) for a racer.  I have a long way to go on some stuff, so I'll use whatever I can.

Laura - Thanks, my wife always tries to get a pic of me dismounting, she thinks they look pretty cool, I guess.

Reece - The dismount was one of the first "triathlon skills" that I learned, and it came to me pretty quick.  I would suggest a few minutes at the end of a ride, in a parking lot somewhere. At this point, I actually do them at the end of nearly every solo training ride.  Your observation on the flying mounters you saw struggling to get shoes on and going well in your race struck a chord with me.  I need to get smoother on that.

2015-09-10 8:35 PM
in reply to: reecealan

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Master
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Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Way to go, Chris! Sounds like things are really coming together smoothly for you...SWIMMING comfort?!?!?!

So you went on empty, or traded bagel for something else?

2015-09-10 8:35 PM
in reply to: reecealan

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Royal(PITA)
14270
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Great race!  6 hairpin turns on the bike course sounds like cruel and unusual punishment!



2015-09-11 7:35 AM
in reply to: 0

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Master
6834
5000100050010010010025
Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Erin - No solid food for me meant no morning eating. I did have a gel on the bike, which I guess was breakfast.  Thanks.



Edited by cdban66 2015-09-11 7:36 AM
2015-09-11 9:29 AM
in reply to: RedCorvette

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Master
6834
5000100050010010010025
Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Originally posted by RedCorvette

I'm glad that someone else thought the swim course was long.   It looked like it was definitely more than 50M from the shore out to the buoy line.

Good job. Glad you enjoyed it.

Mark 

I had to go back and look.  In 2012 I did the swim in 8:52, 3 years later it took nearly 1:30 more.  Not that it matters much, only when I'm trying to figure out if I've made improvements or not.  It feels like I did, time says otherwise, but if distance was different...  

OK, I'm done thinking about it, I'll just keep training.

2015-09-11 10:05 AM
in reply to: cdban66

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Member
2098
2000252525
Simsbury, Connecticut
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon
Great job Chris!

I'm sure I've said it before but I don't know how you run in that heat Way to crush it though!!

I'm going to work on my mental toughness this winter too. Keep up the good work!
2015-09-11 3:05 PM
in reply to: mtnbikerchk

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Master
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Orlando
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Job well done Chris!! As others have said, lots of good take aways from the race.  I'm glad you're feeling stronger on the swim, it's amazing what consistent practice can do for you -I may have to try that with my swimming before my next tri 

Of course, the most important question is, did you beat your friend?  

2015-09-13 9:33 PM
in reply to: cdban66

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Member
667
5001002525
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon
Originally posted by cdban66

Erin - No solid food for me meant no morning eating. I did have a gel on the bike, which I guess was breakfast.  Thanks.




You are one very brave man! I would have had to eat someone's arm on the swim.

I always order out for pizza during T1 an Chinese in T2 so your 1:52 looks great to me! I also like my drink straws in my face to remind me to drink. This year I set my watch to beep to remind me to eat as well.

Great race!


2015-09-14 1:57 PM
in reply to: amd723

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Master
6834
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Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon

Originally posted by amd723

Job well done Chris!! As others have said, lots of good take aways from the race.  I'm glad you're feeling stronger on the swim, it's amazing what consistent practice can do for you -I may have to try that with my swimming before my next tri 

Of course, the most important question is, did you beat your friend?  

Oh yeah!!!!  He came out of the water 1 minute ahead of me, order in Dominos in T1 and I didn't see him again until the out and back on the run where he was cramping pretty bad.  I asked TW (sherpa, photographer, and tracker of much ability) on lap 3 of the bike where he was and she said he had gone by a little while before me.  So, I had him by half a bike lap, since it was lap 2 for him.  I knew then that I had him beat.  

2015-09-15 9:07 AM
in reply to: cdban66

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812
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Katy, Texas
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon
Awesome race Chris!!! That's great that you came out of the swim less tired, that's huge! Really well done all around, great job!
2016-09-06 5:18 AM
in reply to: Jet Black

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Expert
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Illinois
Subject: RE: Venice YMCA Triathlon
Wow, great race!!!
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