The Marsh Indoor Triathlon
20 minute swim, 20 minute bike, and 20 minute run
1 March 1997
Well, it's finally time for this race report! I've spent the past few weeks WAITING for the actual results to be sent, because there was some confusion about the real results at the actual event (but more about that later....)
The Prologue
I had decided to do this triathlon at about the same time I signed up for the Northwest Swim, Racquet and Health Club Indoor Tri, and I hoped to do as well as I had at that event. My run was a bit disappointing at that event, so I planned to take it easy on the bike and push the run to find out a possible balance for the outdoor racing season.
The format of this race was to be similar to the other indoor tri, with 20 minutes for each event and about five minute transitions. I knew the swim would be fine, but the bike and the run were my main concern. Would I go TOO EASY on the bike and have too much left at the end of the run?
The Swim
Swimming is the easy part for me (I sympathize with those of you who struggle with this), so this wasn't very exciting or eventful. We were to swim for our alotted time and the number of lengths would count toward our final score. I went out fast, along with a former collegiate swimmer in the far lane, and then slowed into a good pace after about the first 150 or so. The water was a bit warm, and the humid air in the tiny pool area did make breathing a bit tight near the end, but I finished with 53 lengths in my 20 minutes (1325 yds, right on target). Next, the transition was fine, and I was off to the bike.
The Bike
The bikes we were using were slightly different than last time. This time we set the minutes and just went at our own exertion level (changing it on a touchpad). My bike seemed LOTS harder than the bike from the Northwest Tri, and I struggled the entire time. I could tell that I wasn't doing as well as the last race, but I kept going at what seemed an OK pace without killing my legs (as was the plan). I finished tired but not spent, and quickly prepared for the run....
The Run
The treadmill was now my friend or foe. I had to choose which one it was to be. I knew that a sideache could doom me just as easily as it had the last race, so I began by taking it somewhat easy. I began to push the pace after about 3-4 minutes, and settled into a groove. No side stitch attacked, and I eventually sprinted the last minute or so to finish with 2.57 miles for the 20 minutes. Much better than last time! Yeah!
Post-Race
Now for the fun part. I had also volunteered to help for this race, and for the remainder of the afternoon, I assisted a variety of folk with their races and encouraged many. It was a great afternoon, until I saw that some race results were posted already! My bike distance was ATROCIOUS! Others were making up to TWO MILES more than I had for the same amount of time, and they didn't seem to be any better than me on the swim or run. UGH!
I moped for a while, but then a great thing happened! A good triathlete who worked at the club and knew the machines complained about the bike I had been on as being INCORRECT! Its calibration was off, and those of us who had spun on that bike were going to have our distances adjusted. I hoped for a great adjustment, but only got a slight one. (I ended up with only 5.7 miles for the 20 minutes) I realized that it just wasn't my day for the bike, but I made great strides in the run!
I stayed for the post-race meal and prizes, and ended up getting some UltraGel samples. Not a bad evening, and I was grateful for the prize! I'm sure I'll try for a better bike next year, and make sure to NOT get a bum bike!
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Updated 10 May 1997
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