2011 Gator Grinder Sprint Tri race report

[GLC1968]

Disappointing results for my first ever repeat triathlon! I dropped my swim time by about a minute (guesstimate since the timing got screwed up), dropped my run time by almost 4 minutes but was SLOWER on the bike than last year.

Here is a cut and paste from BT (link at the bottom if you'd rather read it there):


Gator Grinder
2011-05-07
Triathlon - Sprint

Total Time = 1h 28m 46s
Overall Rank = 77/160
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 6/19

Pre-race routine:
I arrived early enough to get good parking but didn't consider that many people wouldn't show due to weather (it was pouring rain and 50F). I ate my oatmeal in the car and then picked up my packet and got ready. I set up my stuff in transition, covered it with a plastic bag and then went into the pool to watch the earlier heats take off.

When it was time for my heat, I jumped in the pool with everyone else and immediately swam a 50. I had to race back in order to start on time (we had NO warm-up time because of people in the heat in front of us taking so long to finish), so I literally swam back from my warm up, touched the wall and headed out for the race! I hit my stop watch but apparently not effectively as it never started.

Swim 12:17 (500y swim plus T1)
Swim went OK. I was in position 2 in my lane so I let the two people behind me go ahead after 50y and that was a mistake as they immediately slowed down. I spent the next 100y trying not to run into them! Then my timing chip almost fell off so I had to stop at the wall and re-attach it. I swam the last 300y very smoothly because there was no one immediately ahead of me anymore. I ended up catching up to the other three swimmers before we finished. This tells me that I should have held my number 2 position in the lane. Overall, the swim went well. I finished 1 minute faster than last year and I felt about 1000 times better (more relaxed) than I did back then as last year, it was an all out effort for me.

Next time, I'll make sure to start my watch correctly so that I'd have at least some idea of my swim time!

T1
T1 went fine. It poured rain while we were in the pool, so all of our stuff was drenched. Total transition was a tad long as I took the time to put on a jacket for the bike (it was only 50F and cloudy/rainy).

Bike 43:48 (12 miles)
This sucked. Even before the first big hill, I was sick. I threw up, TWICE! I have no idea what happened, but I was miserable. It took everything I had not to just quit. The last two miles into transition were flat, so I was able to recover a bit, but this was by far one of my worst bike legs EVER. Serious suckage. I cannot believe that I was actually SLOWER than last year. I'm lighter, in much better shape, the course was shorter and I was on a TT bike and yet I was SLOWER!! UGH.

Next time? First of all, I'd give myself more of a taper before a fairly hilly race course. My legs didn't feel fresh from the beginning. Secondly, I'd avoid swallowing so much pool water. I *think* that's what made me sick. Either that, or someone spiked my water while my bike sat in transition! ;-)

T2 1:13
T2 went fine. I was seriously considering just quitting, but decided to try running to see how I felt.


Run 31:26 (3.1 miles)
I *almost* didn't bother with the run after my awful bike leg. I contemplated just racking my bike and walking away but since I was feeling a little better, I figured I'd give it a shot. It felt ok. I had ZERO with which to gauge my effort (no watch, no GPS), so I went totally on feel. I did have my HR and based on that, should have pushed a little, but I was afraid of throwing up again. At least I had privacy on the bike - the run course was too populated for barfing! I ran at what felt like was an easy pace and only picked it up a touch when the finish line was in sight. At least the weather was just right for me (I hate heat).

In retrospect, I could have probably pushed harder on the run. I think if I'd had my GPS or even a stop watch, I would have. My calves were also still sore from a hilly run on Wed, so next time, I won't do that before the race.

Post race
Stood around waiting for some friends to finish and then headed back to the pool to change for the post-race cookout that some of my friends put on. It was really difficult to know that I'd put in a very disappointing performance, have no race times to see and then to watch so many of my friends get awards. I was happy for them, but really unhappy for me. It didn't help that it was dreary and freezing and that my husband opted to not come and cheer me on. Bummer all around.

Next time, I'll rest more leading up to the race so that my legs are in top condition before it starts. I'll also be more aware of the dangers of swallowing pool water! Lastly, I'll definitely make sure to have at least a watch if not a GPS so that I have some way of monitoring my performance during the race. I guess I'm happy that I finished the race, but I had such high hopes for this year and it was a major disappointment to have it go so poorly. There is always next year, right?


http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=251645


I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around my dismal bike performance. I'm fitter, lighter and on a faster bike than last year. The course was shorter, too! Hell, I'd ridden the course two weeks earlier taking only a minute longer than my race time and that ride included stopping and waiting for my husband to catch up with us, three times!!

I seriously did NOT live up to my expectations or abilities in this race. :(

[Susan Otcenas]

I know you are disappointed and I will not try to devalue that emotion. But I want you to consider a few things:

1) You took a minute off your swim time! That's awesome over such a short course. You should be proud of your improvements in efficiency.

2) You took nearly FOUR minutes off your run time! That's more than one minute per mile. Woot!! Your hard work and your weight loss really paid off here. That's a fantastic improvement in a year. You'll be even stronger next year.

3) You moved up in your age group! 6 of 19 this year, vs. 8 of 15 last year. That's great! It's a competitive age group, and you are showing improvement.

4) You had a bad day on the bike. That sucks, and perhaps the pool water is to blame. But you overcame it and did not quit. You should be proud of that.

Not everything is going to go well in a race. You are still a novice, and each of these races gives you valuable information that you can tuck away and improve on for the next one! Turn the lemon into lemonade for the next event.

[Veronica]

Susan's absolutely right you know. You have accomplished a lot and should be proud of that.

And I would have probably quit if I barfed on any part of the race.

When is your next race?

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Thanks guys - and I know there are good parts to the day's performance. I'm actually really thankful that it was so cool in temperature because that allowed me to run even when I felt queasy. Had it been hot (or even sunny), it might have been a different story.

I clearly put WAY too much emphasis on this particular race. I'd built this one up in my mind so much because it was my first...that to not even come close to what I'm capable of (and that I'd done just 2 weeks earlier with so little effort!) was a huge blow. I'll get over it eventually, of course.

V - my next race is June 11th.

I'm dying to see the race photos - my first puke episode was about 30 seconds before the bike photographer captured me, so I'm curious if I'll be green! :p

[colby]

I clearly put WAY too much emphasis on this particular race. I'd built this one up in my mind so much because it was my first...that to not even come close to what I'm capable of (and that I'd done just 2 weeks earlier with so little effort!) was a huge blow. I'll get over it eventually, of course.

Sometimes you just have to settle... but that doesn't make it easy. ;)

You did the right thing by turning it into action items, things you can try next time. You still made a huge improvement, and considering that improvement AND the conditions AND that you puked TWICE I'd say you're in great shape for some awesome races coming up.

So, congrats. :D

[Veronica]

V - my next race is June 11th.



Where? What distance?

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

I'm actually really thankful that it was so cool in temperature because that allowed me to run even when I felt queasy. Had it been hot (or even sunny), it might have been a different story.


You've mentioned before how much you dislike heat. You DO know that Pac Crest is very likely to be sunny, dry and like 90+ degrees, don't you?

[GLC1968]

You've mentioned before how much you dislike heat. You DO know that Pac Crest is very likely to be sunny, dry and like 90+ degrees, don't you?

Yep. Should be painful. ;) Luckily, I have no illusions of any type of performance for that race. I just want to finish it!


V - Blue Lake sprint tri in Troutdale, OR. I haven't officially signed up yet, but I will. I did it last year, so it'll be interesting to see how my times compare. I had a lousy first OWS at Blue Lake last year, so lots of opportunity!

[Veronica]

Are there no tris in the Southern part of OR? :D

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Are there no tris in the Southern part of OR? :D

Veronica

Ha! Probably not enough population to make it worthwhile?


There are a bunch of us doing the Pacific Crest Oly in late June (26th). That's in Sunriver - just south of Bend. It's a little closer to CA. :)

[kacie tri-ing]

Yep. Should be painful. ;) Luckily, I have no illusions of any type of performance for that race. !

Probably means you will have a great race :rolleyes:

SOmetimes letting go of those illusions and just embracing the day makes fro a better day!

Throwing up twice is a good story ;)

[GLC1968]

SOmetimes letting go of those illusions and just embracing the day makes fro a better day!


I think you are probably right!

Just embracing the day will be my goal for the rest of my 2011 races. I do tri because it's fun...I guess sometimes I need a reminder. :o

[Bike Chick]

Hey, chin up! I second everything that Susan said. I'm amazed that you puked and kept going. You did a good job.

[Susan Otcenas]

Gator Grinder on TE's homepage.
(yes, that's me.)

http://www.teamestrogen.com/

Note that this was NOT my idea! :o

[GLC1968]

I just saw this and was going to send you a message about it! Looks great!

[tprevost]

Gator Grinder on TE's homepage.
(yes, that's me.)

http://www.teamestrogen.com/

Note that this was NOT my idea! :o

WOW! How cool is that! Looking great Susan!

[spindizzy]

GLC- When I race, I usually have more than one goal.

The stretch goal - that is the elusive one when all the stars are aligned, the weather is perfect and me too and I put down the perfect race. (I haven't had one of those in 5 years of doing duathlons). The next goal is to PB one of the legs of the event. I tend to be a bit weak on the 2nd run - so that is always a good goal for me. Sometimes, depending on the course it will be to PB the bike- whatever... And sometimes it will be just to finish and have fun.
I'm doing my first Olympic distance in June. I already know that having fun will be my goal.

Anyway, the point is to have several goals - you can always take away some learning from a race.

I think you did pretty good to PB two legs of your tri. Nothing to be ashamed of!