Jack's Generic Triathlon Debrief

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Jack's Generic Triathlon was last Sunday. Good times as always from the folks at High Five Events. My dad was in town and came out to watch his first triathlon. It was a good showing for all particularly little brother. With minimal and generally unfocused training he put up a solid 1:20:42. Reese as usual topped the gang with a rockin' 1:09:23. I was happy with my finish at 1:12:12.

I started in the 3rd swim wave at 8:06 am, 3 minutes behind the other boys (age groups). I took my usual outside front-ish spot, just outside of the crowd, but not to far that I'm stuck behind too many breast stroking goofballs. The swim felt strong and except for getting myself just slightly off course early, is went pretty smooth. Unfortunately, when I got out of the water, I had posted a 9:49 swim. That's 1:58/100m, not what I was hoping for. Whether or not the course was long, or I swam further off course than I thought, I have no idea. What I do know is that I'm going to keep working my butt off in the pool and the pond because I need those precious 2-3 minutes back. The longer the race, the more important as that's 4-5 minutes in an Olympic distance.
Swim split: 9:49, 1:58 min/100 m

The run to transition one was short, so I hit it hard and was off to the bike course.
T2: 1:22

The bike course out there is pretty simple with a couple tight turns and rolling hills. There is only one really fast spot which I was sure to remember from the drive on Saturday. What there was out there was fresh chip-seal roads for at leas half of the course. If you don't know what chip seal is then just realist is sucks to ride a road bike on when its fresh. Everyone was working hard to get though it but was very bumpy. There was all kinds of junk on the road: water bottles, tubes, clothing, and my brothers brand new behind the seat water cage that he had put on the night before that Dad had bought him for his birthday. Bummer! I saw it in the road and for a split second thought about grabbing it. But I didn't. I took a gel about 66% of the way through the bike fora little boost on the final hills and into the run.
Bike split: 41:07, 20.1 mph

Transition two came and went. It was a little slow for me because I put on socks this time. My feet are a little tender from my blister disaster before Couples.
T2: 0:55

I knew that I could hammer this run if I could get off the bike feeling good. In order to do that I didn't let myself chug a bunch of liquids while I rode and I think it paid off. While I still has some small side stitches, I did not have a sloshy, watery stomach, stomach ache, or cramps. The stitches were minor and after a long burp about 0.5 miles in, they even went away for a brief time. I also used some breathing techniques that Coach Amy suggested (in for two, out for three) that helped relax my insides when they wanted to get crampy. I was able to turn up the pace after my insides relaxed and run a sold 3 mile race pushing through the stitches when they came and went. After crossing the finish line, I had put up an 18:58 3 mile run and the race was over.
Run split: 18:58, 6:20 min/mile.

In the end I finished 59th overall and 13th in my age group. So close to a top ten age group finish! Soon enough...

Lessons Learned

1. I want to swim faster, so I need to train harder. I also know that I need to get into the weight room and build some core and upper body strength.
2. I need another bike ride each week. Time is tight so I think I'm going to start spinning again to add some volume on the bike and get that third "ride" in.
3. Drink less on the bike. It worked well Sunday, so I think I'll stick to it. Longer races will be tricky but since the run pace isn't so break neck, the liquid may settle easier. I hope.
4. Socks are treating me right. I may stick with them on the run.

Up next: Wool Capital Triathlon. Olympic distance race in my home town of San Angelo, TX. The water is dirty, roads are bumpy, it's hot, there are rarely clouds, and the run is off road on dusty red clay. Sounds like fun!