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27 Replies Last post: Jun 19, 2007 11:05 AM by Dougie Fresh037   1 2 Previous Next
Click to view LeftRightRepeat's profile Legend 1,618 posts since
Aug 16, 2007
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Dec 22, 2007 4:12 AM

Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!

Making Meatloaf proud...

Ashland Lions International Triathlon
June 17, 2007
1m/26m/6m

Fashion Report
Club tri-shorts and top, Promotion wetsuit in complimentary red.




Breakfast Report
Homemade egg & cheese bagel sandwich.

Result Summary[/URL" target="_blank">
1 mile Swim[/URL" target="_blank">: 30:31 (30:31/mile, 27/32, 267/330)
26 mile Bike[/URL" target="_blank">: 1:25:55 (19.5 mph avg, 15/32, 135/330)
6.3 mile Run[/URL" target="_blank">: 57:04 (9:03 min/mil, 22/32, 175/330)
Total: 2:53:31 (19/32, 174/330)

Evaluation against previously posted goals:

1. Have fun. This is always the primary target.

Gator Girl came back from Canada on Thursday with a killer cough and cold. By ths morning, she was throwing up. Once before leaving home, again in the car on the way to the race. She decided that unleashing the technicolor yawn during the swim was a significant possibility ? and one worth avoiding ? so took the DNS and watched. Bummer for her.

The family was up and out of the house by 5:45. Kudos to my boys for once again sucking it up so mom and dad can go play.

Dunked. I was comfortable on the swim. I thoroughly enjoyed the bike. And even though parts of the run sucked, I still managed to joke with the volunteers and have some fun. I?d do this again! 1/1

2. Swim: So much depends on the course, traffic, etc. but, assuming nominal conditions, I'll be reasonably happy under 45, thrilled with 40.

Triangular course in warm water on a nice lake. Apparently I?m in the competitive age group as we?re the LAST wave to go. I?m very calm leading up to the start ? chatting with friends, getting plans ready ? it?s all good.

Unlike the last sprint I did where I flailed the whole 400 yards, I found my stroke pretty quickly today. I was relaxed and confident throughout. I bumped a few people here and there but it didn?t phase me; I was able to site regularly; I could see people behind me; and it was all good. Strangely, I think this was my favorite event today!

So? Either there was a favorable current or my wetsuit makes more difference than I expected or the course was short. Though I favor the latter, I?ll take it. Killed this goal. 2/2

3. Bike: Again, a course that's unknown to me. Two laps on a 13 mile loop that doesn't look too hilly. I'll be happy if I can average 19mph+ and thrilled over 20.

The math up above says 18.1 mph ? but the time includes T1. Coming out of the water there was a killer run through the woods and up to the transition area. Must be a half mile and it?s up hill through woods. Everyone brought shoes to the swim exit ? so I brought my Keen trail sandals down and they worked out fine. I kept it at a jog but it was at least a five minute run up the hill.

Got through the transition and out on the bike. The course was much hillier than I expected. I pushed where I thought I could, tried to keep the cadence high, and had fun. It was a two loop course and at one point I was pushing up a hill and feeling pretty good about myself as I was passing slower riders. All of a sudden, one of the Elites on his second loop blows by me like I?m standing still! Very humbling.

I felt strong throughout the ride. I hit 42 mph at one point ? that could likely be the fastest I?ve ever gone on a bike! Shortly after that, a guy I?d blown buy on the down came cranking past me on the up. ?It pays to weigh 140!? he says. ?F%$ Y&2!!? I say! (I saw him in the food line later and we had a good laugh!) Excpet for the Elites flying by ? I don?t think I was passed more than a few times. I passed scores.

As I dismounted my bike, the bike computer said I averaged 19.5 mph. Goal accomplished. Even with the hills. 3/3

4. Run: This being my longest tri to date, I'm curious how much I'll have left. I think I'll be happy under 8's, thrilled under 7:45's.

Though promoted and scored as a 6 mile run, this course is marked as 6.3. Go figure.

By the time we hit the run, it was
pushing 80[/URL" target="_blank"> under a cloudless sky ? not my favorite running conditions. My legs felt reasonably strong but I was hot and out of breath. The hills kept coming and I resorted to walking several of them as did many around me. All the time I was watching my total time and figuring I could still get goal five ? as long as I stayed steady.

I passed many more people than passed me ? but I was very disappointed. I had several 9+ miles and the math says 9:03 overall for the 6.3 mile 6 mile course. I can do better at this. I will. 3/4

Edited to add: 24 hours later I've realized that T2 was in the run time. That must have been at least a minute or so. So maybe I ran closer to 8:50's. Still sucked.

5. Allowing something for transitions... I think it would be neat to break 3 hours overall.

Bringing the swim home 14 minutes faster than expected was a big help. Bike was right where I expected, run sucked. T1 took forever with the run but T2 was reasonable. In total, nailed. With a little better run, I can do even better. 4/5

Summary
It was fun. I leaned a lot. Like I gotta push a little less on the bike if I?m gonna run a half marathon afterwards. Like I gotta figure out how to carry more fluids on the bike. Like I gotta practice running with a lot of fatigue in hot weather. Like I can have more confidence in my swim. Like the field is much more competitive in an Oly than in a sprint - not a lot of laggards out there today. Like I shouldn't underestimate the hills on the map - this course was tough.

Oh and? I had a chance to chat with TheProFromDover. He was bribing his way into the geezer wave at the swim start. He?s smooth.

Thanks family for letting me play! Thanks club for the support! Thanks Thor for making the trip to cheer!

------------------
->>>
John[/URL" target="_blank"> <<<-
Go write something in the
Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">!!

http://This message has been edited by LeftRightRepeat (edited Jun-20-2007).
Click to view lioness1's profile Legend 375 posts since
Apr 1, 2001
1. Jun 17, 2007 5:46 PM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Congrats on your race! Awesome swim, and at 80 degree temps and two events behind you, that run wasn't bad at all! Way to meet your goals--and meet up w/ Coolrunner buds! Sorry to hear about GatorGirl... hope she's feeling better soon!
Click to view xflbk432096's profile Legend 319 posts since
Oct 31, 2006
2. Jun 17, 2007 6:53 PM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Great job! Congrats on meeting most of your goals and having a great time!

------------------
For great travel deals go to: My Website[/URL" target="_blank">

My Profile[/URL" target="_blank">
My Tri Club[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view SpartyGirl's profile Legend 537 posts since
Oct 29, 2007
3. Jun 17, 2007 6:56 PM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Woot! That is awesome, way to go on 4 out of 5. Great job on this new distance, sounds fun--really fun. Congrats!
Click to view Cashmason's profile Legend 460 posts since
Oct 29, 2007
4. Jun 17, 2007 7:33 PM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Very Well Done !
Guest
5. Jun 18, 2007 2:02 AM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
WooT! Great race! Way to demolish your goals.

Oh yes, nothing like a longer tri to make you rethink how hard to push on the bike. Fortunately you spend a lot of time with a pacing master (IronBoy). Somehow he knows how to go just fast enough. Wish I could figure it out.

I that only one bottle I see on your bike? And the single bottle a small bottle? For an 1:30 bike in heat I would need 1.5 bottles at a minimum. Big suckers at that. Especially if I needed to run 6 miles afterwards.

What's next?

Jim
Click to view juliemboyle's profile Legend 1,028 posts since
Nov 17, 2007
6. Jun 18, 2007 6:28 AM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Awesome job at smashing 4/5!

I know how you feel about the run. I keep expecting myself to be able to do the same time on a tri run as on a stand alone running race and I've finally come to terms with the fact that for me, that is not going to happen. Especially since the tri runs tend to be at the time of day when it's hot and I like you, melt in the heat. My answer is to still give it all (or almost all) on the bike since I know my run will suck either way..........still haven't figured out how that will work at Timberman.....

You are well on your way to killing Timberman, great job!
Click to view Boggsmsg's profile Legend 425 posts since
Dec 12, 2007
7. Jun 18, 2007 6:44 AM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Way to click off those goals, LRR! Congrats on your first Oly, but sorry to hear about Gator Girl. I hope she's feeling better! That's the first time I've heard the expression "technicolor yawn". EEEEWWWW!
Click to view melonella's profile Legend 406 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
8. Jun 18, 2007 6:49 AM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Nice race, LRR....esp the swim. Nothing like totally crushing your goal there. Feels great, doesn't it?
Click to view teacherjen's profile Legend 469 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
9. Jun 18, 2007 7:46 AM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Nice race, LRR! Way to smash the swim goal by 14 minutes! Nice bike speed...

Congrats!
jen
Click to view ussoccer's profile Legend 1,748 posts since
Dec 11, 2007
10. Jun 18, 2007 9:51 AM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Awesome race, Eggman. How awesome was it? Let me tell you...

First, you know about you smashing your goals. So I won't get into that.

Second, let me elaborate on goal number one -- to have FUN. Folks, here's a guy so giddy with the sport and act of being that when I saw him on the bike course, he was all full of endless smiles. He was smiling so brightly that I thought he was gonna crash. I suppose when he curls the edges of his mouth, it throws his balance off. But he didn't crash. Instead...

After seeing you blow by and zip right into Transition, I high-tailed it over the run course so that I can see you come out to start your run. Folks, I kid you not when I say that this guy was still having so much fun that he smiled and pumped a fist, pumped a fist again and called out "I am Eggman", to which I cheered back, "Eggman, you are Fishdog. Go dog, go!" To that he lifted his dinky Tri-top and flashed me his belly. To that I hollered, "Fishdog." He pumped his fist and yelled back, "Eggman" "Yeah dog!" "Fishdog." "Go dog." And on he went, with solid leg turnover, bounding down the road into the heat of the day.

That was fun. Take it to the next level, because you've got much of it already figured out.

Also, der Kaiser might be right. Over 26 miles, unless you had fluid in Transition after climbing out of the lake, you probably should have drank a bit more than one bottle. And that bottle, if I'm seeing it correctly, is more like 16 oz. My guess, especially on such a warm day, is you probably wanted closer to 24 to 30 over the time you were out there. And for the only reason that you have to run afterwards. Fine if all you were doing was riding and then done. Ignore this if they had bottle handoff.
Click to view jroden's profile Legend 1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007
11. Jun 18, 2007 9:59 AM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Nice job! My goal number one is to avoid plowing into any fixed objects, so you met that one as well. That's a good swim you did also, was that about mid-pack?
Click to view hobey014's profile Legend 1,056 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
13. Jun 18, 2007 12:16 PM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Great race LRR! Way to nail 4/5 of your goals!
Click to view neildonnelly's profile Legend 524 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
14. Jun 18, 2007 12:22 PM in response to: LeftRightRepeat
Re: Ashland Tri RR - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Well done John

Excellent race well done on the race and getting most of your goals - that was still a good run anyway

Great report as always

Neil