Okay, do you want the race data first or the fun stuff? Oh, that's right, I get to choose. I choose FUN.
My 22 year old "boy" did his first tri with his old man!
It was a huge thrill for me. At one point on the run, our paths brought us with in shouting distance of each other. "Son" with big wave. "Daddy" with hands held high in touchdown salute. He was wearing my shirt, my tri shorts, and my stop watch, but his race was all him. He wants to do another. I'm a proud happy dad.
The staggered swim start made for a social hour. It's a lot more social back in the pack with me. Some of the faster performers were very focused with very intent game faces. I respect that (a little jealousy too?) and leave them alone. My game face was a big smile.
Before the start, I chatted with a guy that runs ultras - 35-50 mile runs. Chatted with several iron men including the ultra guy. It's an inspiration to hear their stories.
There were loads of first timers and several families. About a dozen kids under 20. Several in their 70's. One 79 year young man. Everyone was excited and friendly as usual.
There were a few high-performance athletes, but mostly age-groupers like me. Bike hardware ranged from the hybrid mountain bike (me) to some pretty high-tech stuff that I don't even want to know the co$t.
It was a small event 210 participants, and a short event. 350/9.1/2.1.
The swim was a snake swim in a pool that was part way up a hill. You go down and back in one lane, change lanes and repeat. Single file except for occassional passing. Everyone was asked to accurately estimate their swim time so we could be queued up in sequence. In theory, there should be little passing. Some participants did a better job that others with their predicitions. I forgot to push the button on my HR monitor so have no HR for the swim.
The bike started down the hill, was mostly level. It had one nice 2 mile stretch that was level and straight. I don't train on roads much, so I was interested to see what that was like and what speed I could maintain. The bike finished back up the hill.
The run went back down the hill and around a pretty park. At mile 1 we went all the way to the top of the hill. 90' climb in about 1/3 mile =~ 5% grade on gravel. The last 1/2 mile meandered through the woods and back down to the pool area.
Here are the stats:
Swim 350 meters 8:17 including 50 yard run to transition. That's about my mile swim pace and on target.
Bike 9.1 miles average 17 mph 150 BPM 80% HR. On target.
Run 2.1 miles 11 min pace 151 BPM 80% peaked at 164 BPM 91% HR. Slower than target.
Commentary:
I know that these are short distances, so I expected good paces. Sure enough, the swim pace and bike pace were my best ever in an event. I could have swam faster, but would have worn myself out with little time gained. I passed 3 people in the water. 2 had bad predictions. I caught up to the other on the home stretch. Strategy met execution, although I didn't know my time until it was posted.
I pushed the bike pretty hard. 5% HR harder than the last event. Raised the pace 1.4 mph. I averaged about 20 mph on the 2 mile flat stretch. Me and my mountain bike gearing can't go any faster. I passed a few more than passed me.
My run was slower pace than previous event. Several factors involved. I pushed the bike portion. The 90' climb. Heat. It was a late start, so the run was in the mid 80's. I wanted to push my heart rate to 85% but just couldn't push myself to do it, until I got near the finish line. Those people that I had just passed on the bike, passed me back on the run. Maybe I need a little more grit. Maybe I need to spend more time at 85% in trainng. Maybe I did it exactly right and just need to be patient for cooler temps. When the cooler temps arrive (please....soon), I aim to find out. And I'll spend a little more time at 85% in training.
So, on balance, a great day. Swim and bike were 2 steps forward. No regrets on the run. Great thrill for my son and me. Feel fine the day after. Looking foward to the next one and cooler weather.
My 22 year old "boy" did his first tri with his old man!
It was a huge thrill for me. At one point on the run, our paths brought us with in shouting distance of each other. "Son" with big wave. "Daddy" with hands held high in touchdown salute. He was wearing my shirt, my tri shorts, and my stop watch, but his race was all him. He wants to do another. I'm a proud happy dad. The staggered swim start made for a social hour. It's a lot more social back in the pack with me. Some of the faster performers were very focused with very intent game faces. I respect that (a little jealousy too?) and leave them alone. My game face was a big smile.
Before the start, I chatted with a guy that runs ultras - 35-50 mile runs. Chatted with several iron men including the ultra guy. It's an inspiration to hear their stories.
There were loads of first timers and several families. About a dozen kids under 20. Several in their 70's. One 79 year young man. Everyone was excited and friendly as usual.
There were a few high-performance athletes, but mostly age-groupers like me. Bike hardware ranged from the hybrid mountain bike (me) to some pretty high-tech stuff that I don't even want to know the co$t.
It was a small event 210 participants, and a short event. 350/9.1/2.1.
The swim was a snake swim in a pool that was part way up a hill. You go down and back in one lane, change lanes and repeat. Single file except for occassional passing. Everyone was asked to accurately estimate their swim time so we could be queued up in sequence. In theory, there should be little passing. Some participants did a better job that others with their predicitions. I forgot to push the button on my HR monitor
so have no HR for the swim.The bike started down the hill, was mostly level. It had one nice 2 mile stretch that was level and straight. I don't train on roads much, so I was interested to see what that was like and what speed I could maintain. The bike finished back up the hill.
The run went back down the hill and around a pretty park. At mile 1 we went all the way to the top of the hill. 90' climb in about 1/3 mile =~ 5% grade on gravel. The last 1/2 mile meandered through the woods and back down to the pool area.
Here are the stats:
Swim 350 meters 8:17 including 50 yard run to transition. That's about my mile swim pace and on target.
Bike 9.1 miles average 17 mph 150 BPM 80% HR. On target.
Run 2.1 miles 11 min pace 151 BPM 80% peaked at 164 BPM 91% HR. Slower than target.
Commentary:
I know that these are short distances, so I expected good paces. Sure enough, the swim pace and bike pace were my best ever in an event. I could have swam faster, but would have worn myself out with little time gained. I passed 3 people in the water. 2 had bad predictions. I caught up to the other on the home stretch. Strategy met execution, although I didn't know my time until it was posted.
I pushed the bike pretty hard. 5% HR harder than the last event. Raised the pace 1.4 mph. I averaged about 20 mph on the 2 mile flat stretch. Me and my mountain bike gearing can't go any faster. I passed a few more than passed me.
My run was slower pace than previous event. Several factors involved. I pushed the bike portion. The 90' climb. Heat. It was a late start, so the run was in the mid 80's.
I wanted to push my heart rate to 85% but just couldn't push myself to do it, until I got near the finish line. Those people that I had just passed on the bike, passed me back on the run. Maybe I need a little more grit. Maybe I need to spend more time at 85% in trainng. Maybe I did it exactly right and just need to be patient for cooler temps. When the cooler temps arrive (please....soon), I aim to find out. And I'll spend a little more time at 85% in training.So, on balance, a great day. Swim and bike were 2 steps forward. No regrets on the run. Great thrill for my son and me. Feel fine the day after. Looking foward to the next one and cooler weather.
