| Author |
Topic: Triangle Triathlon Race Report |
RunBobaluRun
Cool Runner |
 posted Jul-10-2007 05:44 PM
  
450 49 OM ROBERT LITTLE APEX NC 552 00:19:00 00:02:24 321 00:44:25 00:02:43 445 00:26:55 01:35:25 Triangle Tri at Lake Crabtree Park Raleigh, NC
http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=560 I had a tough time with the swim version. Never swam in open water and I got a little panicked when ran out of breath and was being pounded on by other swimmers, so I got on my back and waded for a couple of minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk Then I had trouble swimming a straight line. I can't wear my glasses during the swim, so I was having trouble sighting. I figured I swam an extra 50 meters or more, but I finished the 750 meters in 19 minutes flat. When I got out of that water I stumbled and felt tired, but I was so happy that part was done! The next day I timed myself in the pool swimming 750 yards and did it in 16 minutes flat. I was slow in the transition area, and when I was running out I got behind a large group of bikers. They don't give you enough room to pass the first 1/2 when you are riding out of the park, so I patiently waited till we go to the road. I was surprised that they coned off half the road and had very little space for the bikers the first two miles, but there was enough space for two bikers--barely. I yelled out passing to get around the traffic jam. The whole bike race was me yelling out passing, and of course about three people didn't get the idea and were blocking me. The course was hilly, so either you were riding real slow or real fast. Just the first two miles out and two miles back were rolling. I passed what felt like a hundred people and only one biker passed me. He passed me around mile 4 and I passed him at about mile 8. He passed me again about mile 12. I was considering pushing myself and passing him again, but decided to keep the vanity in check and get myself ready for the run. It was suppose to be 15 miles, but my odometer said 13.5. This is a USAT certified race, so I'd like to meet these certifiers. 44:25 minutes for the bike portion is OK. I got lost in the transition area and couldn't find my position for about a minute. Oh well, I need the rest anyway. When I got my shoes and number on, I walked the first 50 feet out of the transition area rather run, but then I got into the groove. I was just plain old tired, so I didn't push hard. Plus the heat was getting to me and I wish I wasn't wearing my bike shirt. It was in the eighties with high humidity. With the last 1/2 I did pick up the pace and I felt pretty good. The 5k run was a disappointing 26:55. I was OK with the overall time of 1:35:25. That put me 6/20 in Master Novice category, but 450/606 for men. Hey you want your first year tris to be slow so you can beat them next year, right!?
I felt great after the race and have a little soreness in the calf's. I kept well hydrated before, during and after the race, which I chalk up to feeling good afterwards. Bob
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We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged.
~Colonel Henry Knox
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[This message has been edited by RunBobaluRun (edited Jul-10-2007).]
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outsidepr
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-10-2007 10:45 PM
Bob, GREAT work! That didn't sound like the easiest race to get through, but your time was awesome. Even better, you stuck to a reasonable race strategy and came out fighting at the end. Nice job and looking forward to another RR.
gw
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-10-2007 10:57 PM
Bobalu! Yes! You want that first one to be glacial! You and I will seek revenge on our times next year. Mwahahaha!BTW you are brave and fast in the swim and bike. I am a ninny. But I beat you in the 5K (heh heh).
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MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-10-2007 11:12 PM
I think that's a great time. You did very well in the bike and without the traffic jam you'd have been faster. That first open water swim sure is a shock, ain't it?  You'll nail the next one.
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LookiLoo
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-11-2007 08:38 AM
Great job! I live very close to Lake Crabtree and thought about doing this one but I was too afraid of swallowing that lake water  Those are great times - especially with that heat out there on Sunday - I went for a run early sunday and it was miserable! Great race!
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ussoccer
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-11-2007 09:30 AM
Nice job, Bobalu. The swim is always tough, and unless you're a fast swimmer, you will almost always be jammed packed in on the bike in those first few miles. You should see what Ironman Coeur d'Alene looked like. You had strong swimmers but weak bikers sitting on the side of the road barely moving, all waiting for the weak swimmers but strong bikers to fly by. Because I'm a slower swimmer but faster on the bike, I feel in the middle. You should have seen the sight of bikers 10 abreast each of whom was trying to pass a slower rider with the one on the outside usually the fastest. That let up after 10 miles at the first turn-around, and it broke a bit on the first few hills. But damn, in spite a very large road all to ourselves, we took up the entire thing.Way to hold on to the run, man. It's never easy. Never. Lost in Transition, huh?  Burning question: Did your "PowerBar" swim training help?
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RunBobaluRun
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-11-2007 03:15 PM
I want to thank everyone for your encourgement. It means a great deal to me.Bob ------------------
We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged.
~Colonel Henry Knox
My User Profile
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mariposai
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-11-2007 11:56 PM
Not that I have any experience whatsoever in tris, but I just wanted to commend you for having the courage to start something new in your life. Congratulations. In my books, you are a hero. Keep it up.PS. Please don't hang out with my sister Econo, she will teach you bad manners such as pushing little kids to get your way around. Right sistahh? ------------------
"An October marathon does not care how hot it was in July" Mr. Labduck
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-13-2007 12:29 AM
mariposai! shhhhh!
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interwarfascism
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-13-2007 06:51 AM
Not to mention...those of us that are familliar with Crabtree Lake...have EXTRA appreciation for your courage in getting into that water. BLECH!!! Might I recommend that you take your next shower...using clorox. Congratulations...that tri is a tough one. Lots of people, not a lot of space, a bike ride that feels like you are either riding up into the side of a bowl, or going back down into it and not to mention the HEAT!
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kristine25
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-13-2007 09:14 AM
Great RR. that youtube video never fails to crack me up!May I suggest if you decide you love this sport and plan on doing much more, to get some prescription goggles. It could really help. And what a speedster on the bike. Way to go!!
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Dougie Fresh
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-13-2007 09:41 AM
Bobalu, if you're slow then what am I? Congrats on a nice race and quick times (JMO). Thanks for also posting the link to that video. I forgot about that one.
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CCRoz
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-13-2007 10:12 AM
Funny video!Congrats on a great race.
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thefish
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-13-2007 03:19 PM
Great job!
I did that race last year and I can emphatically say that the swim is gross and difficult- were you all brown when you got out? Its tough to swim when you can't even see your hand in the water. I have to ditto the chlorox shower recommended by a previous poster. Also, the bike course is crazy and I recall most of the sharp turns being at the bottom of a hill so you have to brake like crazy, or you have to start the hill without any momentum. And I think my bike measured it short as well if the course was the same as last year. Anyways, great job, it only gets better from there.
Have you considered doing the wellness center sprint next month in chapel hill? I used to work there and it is a terrific facility, so I would highly recommend the race.
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RunBobaluRun
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-13-2007 05:39 PM
Fish, I am thinking about the super sprint in Chapel Hill--sounds like a fast fun race. By the way, I am nearsighted so I could see my hands, but not the target in the distance.Thanks for the postive comments. Bob ------------------
We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged.
~Colonel Henry Knox
My User Profile
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MastrBrewr
Member |
posted Jul-13-2007 09:55 PM
Congrats on your first tri! The Triangle was my first one a few years ago. You're right about the bike being short, but I think the nonstop hills makes up for it.
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