|
|
TriBob
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2002
Posts: 5771
Location: Lost in Transition
|
| Back to top
|
|
 Posted: 08/09/04 - 12:38 Post subject: Wilkes Barre Triathlon RR
Wilkes Barre Triathlon
1.5k, 40k, 11.8k
August 8, 2004
A hilly Olympic distance with an extra run mile on the end for good measure. This is a National Championship Qualifier; so, you know it wont be easy. This was a training race in the middle of a build week for my 1/2 IM. Also, the race had a few firsts. Two different transition areas because the bike was point to point and a beach start. And to prolong the check in process, a 45 minute pre-race meeting. They did answer important questions like could you use side stroke in the swim. (yes).
Up and out the door and a little drizzle is still falling with temperature about 55. That was it for the rain had moved out overnight. T1 was half under water but they did a good job setting up the racks around the mini ponds. Set up and packed pre-race clothes in numbered bags provided to be trucked back to the finish. Caught up with a bunch of people in my club. Missed timed the swim warm up and as I got to the water they called everyone out. Oh well, I’ll get in as soon as the wave before me goes off. Not. Beach start. You would think with a 45 minute pre-race meeting they would tell you important stuff like that. Plan C, start in the back and work my way up after my warm up. Training race, no worries.
Off in Wave 3. About 80 people per wave. Wading into the lake took a while. It was pretty shallow near the shore and seaweed/kelp growing up to the surface. The water was 70 so it was a little shock but not much as it warmed up a little as you got to deeper water. It only took me about 50-100 yards to get warmed up; but, the swim start was actually on the inside of the buoys so it was very crowded as everyone pushed to get to the outside of the first marker. I don’t think everyone made it. Big traffic jam at the first buoy. Kicked in the head but didn’t loose my goggles. I don’t swim over people; but, if you give me a few inches I’ll take the line between two people. Then there was one person who was swimming zigzag on the course and crossed my path 4-5 times in the first 600 yards. Finally got past them and out of traffic. Smooth sailing around the turnaround and the back half. Out of the water in 29 minutes. A little off my estimate but expected do to the slow start and traffic the first 1/3 of the swim.
I tend to take it easy in T1 to make sure I get my land legs back, my stomach is settled, and my heart rate is under control. The swim exit is on sand and I had a towel to wipe my feet clean. Everything went smoothly and then you have to pack your swim stuff in a bag for transportation back to the finish.
Luckily, I got a descent description of the bike course besides hilly. First 7 miles are down hill then you climb all the elevation you lost in the next 3.5 miles. Just my luck, the up hills are twice as steep as the down hills. Had fun the first seven miles, with lots of it between 28-32 mph. Then pay back time. The first part of the hill didn’t seem that bad. Then after a turn at a quarter mile, it kicked up a few notches. It probably took twice as long to do those 3.5 miles then the first 7. Only one major hill left. After recovering on the hills, I kept the pace pretty high to see what effort I could maintain in a race environment. This wasn’t to hard with all the hills. Mile 20 had some stomach cramps. Drank water to help dilute the gels and rehydrate. Uphill finish to T2. As I hit the run I figured about a 1:30 bike. Surprisingly good with all the hills. Volunteers calling numbers and runners pointing to which rack you were in. Great support through out the whole race. Pretty good T2, 1:06.
Head out on the run, stomach still a little upset. Holding a good pace and working on turnover on the downhill start. Water the first aid station then Gatorade at the second which was a mistake. That aggravated my stomach. Trying to force myself to burp. Passed a handful of people in the beginning of the run. Planned just water the rest of the way. Third aid station feeling better. Miles 2-4 are uphill. It just seemed to go on forever. We developed a pack of 4-5 runners at this point. Finally after mile 4, a little downhill. When I hit mile 5 with 2+ miles to go and feeling much better, it was time to bring it home. Picked up the pace and saved just a hair for the mile climb to the finish. Crossed the line in 3:08. A PR with an extra mile on the run and no taper. And, I would have went sub 3 with a standard 10k run. Way Cool.
A 25 minute spin post race and an hour run when I got home. I can’t wait for IM training next year. I’ll probably have to do my B races twice.
Summary
Swim 29:55
T1 3:32
Bike 1:29:34
T2 1:06
Run 1:04:26
Race 3:08:31
|
