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Topic: Last Stand Sprint Tri RR |
MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
 posted May-21-2007 11:08 PM
   
The Last Stand sprint tri was my first foray into the world of multi-sport events. Last Fall I developed a severe case of ITBS and decided to keep my running mileage below 20 mpw for a while. Training for a sprint tri seemed like a great way to keep my fitness and have some fun. This event was a half mile lake swim, 12.5 mile mountain bike leg and a 4 mile trail run.There is a secret fourth discipline even novice tri-athletes must practice: logistics. This includes spending copious amounts of money, coordinating deliveries, making lists and finally packing multiple bags for the race. Somehow I arrived at the race with everything I needed. I set up my transition area as I had in my head numerous times. About 30 minutes before the start I killed a small body-glide squeezing into my wetsuit and headed for the beach. I had done a fair amount of swimming, but none in a lake or a wet suit. I had read plenty about the shock of moving from the pool to the lake, but I was still caught off guard. Without going into the gory details, I'll say I struggled through most of it and was disappointed. Regardless, less than 22 minutes later I pulled up on the beach and headed up the hill to the transition area. T1 went well enough, although my brother later claimed I was there "forever". My wetsuit didn't come off much easier than it went on. I got my socks and bike shoes on, helmet and glasses, grabbed my bike and headed out. I hadn't worked hard in the swim, so I rode the bike hard when the course permitted. The bike course followed most of the hardest trail in the park. There are a number of technical sections -- log piles and sharp, steep turns, a water crossing and two steep hills with loose gravel. All lots of fun if you stay on your bike. I had one rider go a** over handlebars right in front of me going over a log pile. There were sections where you could pass and I netted about 10 riders in the 1:07 I was on the bike. T2 was a cinch: switch shoes, helmet and gloves off, put on the race belt with the bib, drink and head out. My legs did feel like rubber, but a mile or so into the run, I got them back. The run was enjoyable -- I can see the appeal of trail running, but you have to watch every step. There were a few logs to go over, some small hills and lots of roots and rocks. I passed a handful of runners in the run, three in the last mile, the last guy I beat in the chute. I figured out later this was the guy that racked his bike over my spot after the bike. Made me extra glad I caught him! My run time was 37:35. My overall time about 2:12:32. I completely screwed the splits up as I was totally focused on the transitions, so I think the bike and run times include those. I'm happy that was the only hiccup. Even given the miserable swim, I had a lot of fun. I fully expect to go out and try again. I've spent all the money on the gear, I might as well use it. Thanks to our multisport friends: cashmason and The Pro for some early encouragement and Econo for diving in there with me. LRR, I'll be over for some advice. As always, thanks for reading.
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 11:42 PM
ahhhh, logistics. I have a hard time remembering everything for a 5K so can't imagine what it would take to coordinate everything for a tri. Looking forward to reading about the new adventures of MarkTriGuy. Congrats, sounds like a blast. cj
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Cashmason
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 11:58 PM
Woot! Great race Mark!Glad you had a good time. When is your next tri? 
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jura
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 12:44 AM
A great first tri! This coordination thing really got my attention, you need to be fully focused on all these details, not to mention spend a fortune on the gear. Bike, bike shoes, wetsuit, tri clothes, and prolly a lot more... With all that though, it sounds like great fun to get into. You are very brave to pick a race with a lake swim for a first tri. Congratulations on the speedy result,
j
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 04:20 AM
Mark, that sounds like a great event. A lot of hard work. My heart is on the trails, though most races are on roads. You have to stay on your toes or you'll be eating dirt. Thanks for the RR.------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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TheProFromDover
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 06:35 AM
They say tri's consist of 5 sports...Swim,bike,run, and transitions and nutrition. Now there's logistics, and ... the technical aspects of mt biking and trail running. The list goes on. Great day for you. You learn something in every tri. What's next?
-Craig
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 01:05 PM
It's obvious you had an enjoyable experience, Mark. Even though I can't relate, first hand, to the swim, bike, or transitions. It sounds like quite a lot to prepare for. Congratulations on your first one and having a good time.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 01:26 PM
I think you did great for your first tri! First time in (and out) of the wetsuit, first time in the lake, and you stayed competitive throughout. Congratulations, it will be fun to read about your exploits! 
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dg9
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 01:32 PM
Wow Mark. Doesn't sound like you picked an easy one for your first Tri. But it does sound like a lot of fun. I really enjoyed reading your report. Great that you turned an injury into an opportunity. And now that you've got the toys, we get to hear about more adventures. Greta job! (and, um, no lost keys... phones... ? )
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 02:42 PM
Dear MarkGuy the TriGuy,
Thanks for making my heroic efforts in 2 recent triathlons look sissy in comparison.  Tricono
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DaveinAA
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 05:43 PM
Great job Mark, way to turn an injury into an opportunity to tri something new. Sounds like this one won't be your last.
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FlyingFinn
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 06:04 PM
Great job on your first tri, Mark. It does sound like a lot of fun. Yup, now that you have all the cool gear you must tri tri again. Congratulations.
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted May-24-2007 08:33 AM
MarkTriGuy,
Excellent! This was fun. I say, "How about using some Crisco instead of body glide next time?" It is cheaper and greasier. And... yum! (just kidding)Congratulations.
Go do another one!
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rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted May-24-2007 09:44 AM
How'd I miss this RR until now? Better late than never. This is really impressive, Mark, considering where you were in your running just a year ago. And like others said, it doesn't sound like you could have picked a more difficult one for your first. Yeah, it was "sprint" distances, but over an obstacle course!I'll have to hear more about this in Dexter next weekend. I'm toying with trying a duathlon, but one that sticks to pavement for the riding and normal paths for the running. ------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
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MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted May-24-2007 11:12 AM
Thanks for the comments. I'm glad this got bumped, I hate to bump my own thread.Tricono, hey, you've done twice as many as me. I bow to you! RGG, Crisco ain't far off. The pros use Pam! Debbie, no I gave my keys and phone to my brother for safekeeping. Roch, we'll talk next weekend, but the next I have my eye on is:
http://www.eliteendeavors.com/race_waterloo.cfm
There is a duathlon, the bike portion is on the roads and the runs are mixed.
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choover
Cool Runner |
posted May-24-2007 12:39 PM
Hey, I'll give it another bump as I'm still trying to catch up on RRs!Marky Mark, sounds like you did great for your first tri! You passed some people, avoided crashes, and didn't lose any body parts while squeezing in and out of your wetsuit. I hope the ITB problem is a thing of the past. ------------------
choover
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted May-25-2007 12:22 PM
Mark – My hat is off you to tri-sport adventurists. That sounds very exciting, but totally out of my league. I have trouble enough getting my shoelaces tied right. Great job on your first tri!------------------
Holly
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted May-25-2007 12:35 PM
well I totally missed this one also so am glad it was bumped up again. You did great! Sounds like a very fun way to spend a couple hrs!------------------
Tamster
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