RACE REPORT: Lake T Sprint Tri No.1

 
What a way to start the season!!

Pre-Race
My first triathlon of the season and I must admit I showed up with some reservations.  I got out of work, headed home to grab my gear, and got on the road.  I quickly learned my lesson - get to the east side of Hartford before 4:30pm.  Oh-well. 

Starting that morning, I had been having a back/neck pain that caused pain when I lifted my head.  I had been working it out, but at this point just accepted that the swim was going to S-U-C-K!!  Lucky for me, I saw that they had massage tables set up.  What?  A free massage?!  Don't mind if I do!  One of the therapists - Tara - gave me a "magic potion" and OMG it felt amazing! 

As I stepped up to the water for the start, I couldn't even feel a twinge of pain; it was great!

I was in the second wave, so I got to see the first 100 people head off.  Three minutes later, I heard "three, two, one... Go!"  The season had started.

Swim
The swim was only a 500, so I pushed the pace.  This was just as much a test for Sunday with the wetsuit as it was a race to see where I stood.  I ended up veering a bit left, or everyone went right.  Either way I was on my own despite planning on drafting the swim.  I made it out to the turn buoy and thought "Hmmm...  this is a bit far."  On the way back, I again ended up left of everyone, but seemed to be headed straight for shore.  I picked the pace up a bit and when I was able to touch the sand with my fingertips, I popped up and ran to transition.  Looking down at my watch, I saw 11:xx.

The times for the Lake T Sprints include transition and I'm used to having an 11-12 minute first leg  Did I just swim really slow?  Turns out they had an 800 yd swim instead of 500; the director just really likes the swim. 

T1
I got the my bike, sat down, and immediately ripped off my wetsuit.  It was surprisingly easier than it had been before.  I tossed it with my stuff, slipped on the shoes, grabbed my sunglasses and clipped on the helmet.  I grabbed my bike and ran to the road.

SWIM + T1 -  12:33

12th place

Bike
With a flying mount, I headed out on the 12-mile bike course and pushed it from the start.  I only had 12 miles and I've ridden that plenty of times, so I felt I had no reason to let up.  Down the first hill, I noticed that my bike computer wasn't reading.  Greeeeeat!  I'm blind.  I also noticed that I was breathing rather heavy.  Oh-well.  My body can handle it.  I kept drinking my double concentrated Gatorade and water (in hindsight, I got a LOT of liquid in on the bike) and kept passing other riders.  I only had a couple people pass me and it was in leap frog fashion; overall I didn't get passed on the bike and that was a mental boost for sure.  

On the second loop, I felt my breathing calm down - awesome!  I kept pushing the pace.  At this point, the computer started reading and I got an idea of what my pace was - around 21 mph.  I was used to hitting 19 mph on this course and the excitement let me push harder.  I rounded last turn into transition and hopped off the bike.  I ran towards transition with the computer reading just over 22mph.

BIKE - 31:07 

(~ 23 mph)

15th place

T2
As I crossed the timing mat into transition, I noticed two things.  First, the few people I saw ahead of me were quickly getting out on the run course.  Second, there were only half a dozen bikes in transition.  After a great bike, I was pumped that I was so close to the front.  Extra motivation!!  I racked the bike, switched shoes, threw off the helmet, grabbed my hat, and took off after the guys in front of me.

Run
I headed out a bit faster than I might normally since I had three guys in my view.  After the first 0.1 mile, I tried to keep myself in check 'till I got up the first hill.  I passed one guy before the hill and stayed in place to the top.  I passed another on the downhill and decided to attempt maintaining my pace.  I felt like I might be hitting 7:00 minute miles, but felt great either way.  Up ahead, I saw a blue tri jersey; a friend of mine from grad school.  I won't lie that seeing him up ahead helped me push myself.  What can I say, I'm competitive!

I thought I might hold my place and take him on the last downhill.  I'm not a sprinter!  If I'm going to get ahead, I have to go NOW.  I clicked the pace back up and kept pushing.  I passed my friend in blue and made it to the final downhill.  One mile to go.

I hadn't been hitting my watch for splits, but with one mile to go, I had 57 minutes.  If I was hitting 7 minutes, 1:05 was well within reason.  Yet again, I gritted down and pushed it.  I passed two more runners before I hit the finish line.

T2 + RUN - 19:45

(sub-6:22 pace)

9th place

FINISH - 1:03:25

7th overall

1st in age group

I think it's safe to say, I was quite happy with myself.  My test of the Rev3 race day gear worked very well.  Transitions went smoothly.  I had a killer bike!  I surpassed my expected run time.  The overall winner had a time of 58:01, so I have roughly 5 minutes to cut down somewhere.  I have my work cut out for me this summer - only 5 races left.  Maybe a minute per race?  We shall see. 

Onto Rev3 Quassy.  Bring it!

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Questions

1.  Is there a better way to start the season than with crushing a PR?
If there is, I want to know about it.

2.  Do you get competitive with others in a race or are you out there solely for yourself?
I'm super competitive! 


Swim fast.  Bike smart.  Run hard.