John’s Race Report: Sweet 16 Triathlon
Sweet 16
September 9, 2007
0.25m/11.8m/3.1m
Fashion Report
Club tri-shorts and top, Promotion wetsuit in complimentary red, Adrenaline GTS’s.
Breakfast Report
Egg, bacon, and cheese on a toasted wheat bagel from Dunkin’ Donuts.
Result Summary
0.25 mile Swim: 10:48 (43:12/mile (but included some run-out), 136/264)
T1 – 2:45 (170/264)
11.8 mile Bike: 34:30 (20.5 mph avg, 26/264)
T2 – 1:38 (199/264)
3.1 mile Run: 23:40 (7:38 min/mil, 72/264)
Total: 1:13:11 (9/20 M45-49, 48/140 M, 59/264)
In-race Nutrition
Bike - 2/3 bottle of Gatorade
Evaluation against previously posted goals:
1. Have fun.
This was a late season “fun” sprint that Shawn and I figured we’d knock off with some friends. Up at 5:15 AM to a dazzling lightening show. By the time we were getting in the van, it had started to rain buckets. “Gator Girl” and I looked at each other and agreed that if it was dumping at the race venue, we’d pick up our T-shirts and come home. Fortunately, as we drove west, skies brightened a bit and the rain stopped.
We arrived plenty early, got signed in, checked in Josh and Jake at the volunteer tent, and set up in transition - Shawn and I next to each other. We made small talk with those around us. The woman next to me reported being nervous and we joked about our Olympic potential. A short time later, I spotted our buddy Thor arriving, called his name, and that same nervous woman yells “Hey! Are you LeftRightRepeat from CoolRunning? I’m Sheldon’s sister!!!!” It’s a good day already. And it continued. 1/1
2. Swim fast. Short enough that this shouldn’t be simply survival - I want to push the whole way.
Final instructions on the beach under threatening skies with much light-hearted babble. In-water start with warnings about submerged rocks. No issues - waded in on a sandy bottom and then floated to the start line. Decided to start in the scrum rather than my usual few yards back as the waves were smaller. There was a bit of minor bumping at the go but nothing too bad and I was in rhythm and swimming hard from the start. I was probably just flailing, but I kept at it and pretty much never resorted to breast stroke or rest. About 3/4 of the way through, I wonked some poor woman pretty hard on the head and stopped briefly to apologize - we both recovered and plowed on. Came out of the water out of breath and wobbly. Mission accomplished. 2/2
3. Bike hard. I’m saving nuthin’. If I finish with no legs - so be it.
I went hard from the start and just kept going. This ”mostly flat” course biked UP the hills that the Boston Marathon runs DOWN in its first couple of miles - that was a climb!! I dueled the first few mile with a relay rider but then lost him when he pulled away on a bit of a climb. Other than him, nobody passed me. I was hammering and having fun! It was supposed to be a cool day - but I was dripping in the humidity! I kept passing people through the whole distance and never felt like I had to really let up. Came into the dismount a little hot and, though I had both feet out, darn near went over the bars at the line. Recovered all but my pride. Top 10% bike. OK. 3/3
4. Run hard. A half mile to get loose, 20 minutes of push.
I ran hard, though not particularly fast. But, I didn’t walk and I was giving it my all the whole way. Two guys passed my at about 3/4m out - but other than them, I was the passer rather than the passee. I was able to push to the end and felt like I gave it a good effort. Loved the 200 yard sand run near the finish. 4/4
Summary
Hung around to cheer teammate in, watched Shawn finish strong, and saw Thor get hardware before bolting home to watch the Pats. Really well organized race! A nice goody bag, scenic course, great communications, etc. (Two big suggestions for the RD: bike racks near the registration table and mile markers on the run.) We thought it was really well run.
It was fun to race with the family and see many friends including Iron Boy, The Pro From Dover, who beat me by a good 3-1/2 minutes, Brookem, completing her second ever Tri, The Muffin Queen, and more. A great day.
