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Yeah! My first outdoor triathlon of the season! A chance to finally see if my training all winter has paid off! I packed my bags (along with my NEW QR Longjohn wetsuit :-) and headed off to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for this sprint triathlon at the beginning of my summer season. I arrived in town and picked up my stuff (great shirt! NOT WHITE!) and then drove to my KOA Kampground site (about 45 minutes away from the race).
Settled in to my very own cabin (much better than a tent, and cheaper than most motels....) and then checked out the course (more driving, LOTS of driving....). I didn't like the looks of the new vs. old pavement (BUMP CITY!), but was determined to do the best with the course conditions as they were. The swim was going to be cold, the bike was going to be fine (except for a long hill in and out of the park (Pleasant Creek State Park) :-) |
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I set up my transition area with NO problems and squeezed into my wetsuit. So far, all was going according to plan. I had followed some advice of other competitors, and also helped out a few "newbies" to the sport. I was set! We started the race in several waves, about four minutes apart. The youngsters went first, and then the women. By the time my wave was ready to go, the first swimmer was out of the water (6:15-6:30!). We got ready, and then it was THE TIME TO BEGIN!
I carefully waded in just a bit before swimming, and was shocked(!) to discover that I couldn't breathe! My hands weren't all that cold, and neither were my feet, but I just couldn't seem to breathe in and out efficiently! It had to be the cold water (62 degrees or so), and I knew to expect this, but I wasn't happy! My stroke never got going, and before I knew it, I was at the turnaround....I tried to go at an even pace, but I kept traveling in an uneven line, hitting people and having to breaststroke every few arm pulls. Oh, well, I learned that even I could have a slow swim (and swimming's my best part!). I exited the water, thinking that I was way behind schedule, but my watch said 8:49 for the 500 yds or so. (I think it was a bit short, but I was happy with my time!) I jogged up the embankment to the transition area, found my bike right away (I did good :-) and sprayed on the Pam (thanks for the tip, RSTers!) and slid out quickly. I chucked on my helmet, glasses and shoes (the elastic laces really work wonders....) and started the bike, ready to RUMBLE! T1 time was about 2:40---better than last years' times, and even with a wetsuit! YEAH! I was off! |
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I snuck my booty out of transition and into my new clipless pedal setup. Inexperience showed here, as I had trouble getting hooked in. I mounted and was heading out along the smooth new pavement of the course like a herd of salamanders! My slow pace was not as I wished to be doing, but I did need to lower my heart rate a bit after the swim. I cruised along at 16 mph, rounded a few dicey corners (got to work on that....) and then was finally out of the park!
My unsure steed proved dismal on the downhills. As others sped by me, I frantically braked and slowed due to my front brake not working properly (and being scared of crashing on an unfamiliar course!). People passed my immobile form, and I knew it wasn't going to be a super bike, but a semi-good one. I finally felt relaxed at about the four mile mark, and sped up to a great speed (for me) of 24 mph. The wind must have been at my back :-), but I didn't care! I finally settled into a pace around 18-19 mph and kept it up except at the hill in and out of the park. This hill had to be designed for the "true" racers who expected SOME hills. Not really large, but enough to slow me to a pathetic 10 mph by the top. This did not do me any good, but few people passed me on the UPhills (my training WAS working!). I lost places on the downhill, but rarely on the flats. A great ride, but I knew I needed to fix the bike and practice zooming down hills to be better.... T2 arrived almost too soon, and I was really smokin'! My goal was to be in under an hour at this point, and I hit the transition at about 1:04. I knew I could make the run under 26 minutes IF I didn't cramp up, so it was worth a try for my 1:30 goal....Short transition (45 seconds) and I was outta there! |
The | My pace was slow (the herd of salamanders snapping at my heels :-)! I couldn't up the pace right away, but I actually felt OK by my standards. Other races had left me with little to go on at the end, but I was not feeling tapped out this time! The first mile marker showed up at about 9 minutes, and I thought I might not make it....But I surged on the "hill-lets" (baby hills :-) and passed some people after the turnaround. I kept up a good pace and even pushed it at times to see if there was anything left---there WAS! At the end, I passed several female competitors (the prior wave was coming back to me....) and surged to the finish line. YES! Run time of 24:20 and overall time of 1:28:45 or so! GREAT JOB! |
Postscript |
A great start to a second (and full) season! I met my goal time, and had a great run (is this a sign that better runs are ahead for this year?). My bike needs work, but that's OK. The only caveat I offer for this event is TRAFFIC! The control for the bike section was not as great as it could have been, and I didn't feel all that safe with trucks, boats and cars manuvering for lane space along with us at 30 mph+. I guess some people didn't care about the absence of the Tri-Fed official who was slated to be at this race, 'cause I saw some pretty crazy stunts by some on the bike! One guy passed several bikes (legally) and then proceeded to pass a few cars, boats, etc. ON THEIR LEFT while they were passing other bikes at a slow, 20 mph pace. I hope I don't see stuff like this at other races....
All in all, a great race for this season opener, and I'm ready and waiting for more! Next weekend, Manitou! |
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