Metroplex Sprint Triathlon Report

drew · 06-27-2006, 06:56 PM

Three weekends ago (Sunday June 11) I competed in my second sprint triathlon...the Metroplex Sprint Triathlon.

Swim = 800m in open water
Bike = 27km
Run = 5km

My times were as follows:

Swim: 18:21.4
T1: 2:39.3
Bike: 50:24.7
T2: 1:11.1
Run: 22:33.3

GRAND TOTAL: 1:35:10

Before this event, I had never done an open water swim, and it kicked my ass! I think that's why my first transition was so slow...trying to catch my breath and slam a power gel chased with some gatorade!

I felt pretty good about the bike portion. That comes out to an average of 20.0 mph, which is OK. Given how tired I was, it was OK...next time I have to do better.

I am disappointed with my run. I usually run a 5K in better than 20 minutes, so this sucked. I think I was just pretty worn out from the swim still.

I haven't seen any race pictures yet, but I know there were photographers spread out around the course. I'll post them when they are available.

I am also doing the Disco Sprint Triathlon in two weekends from now. It's roughly the same distances, so I am hoping to improve upon my performance. I'll keep you posted.

Drew

emartin10 · 06-27-2006, 08:20 PM

Right on Drew - 20 mph on the bike out of the water is pretty damn good if you ask me. It's not like the mutant pros that rock 27 or 28, but you're not a pro, so it's all gravy.

Very nice race, how did you finish in your age group? And the most important thing, are you addicted like me???

E

drew · 06-27-2006, 09:18 PM

Hey E,

Thanks for the kind words.

I am ABSOLUTELY ADDICTED! I am planning on at least 3 more by September! (all sprints, and then I think I will go for the Olympic distance next year).

Age Group results (Male 25-29): finished 22nd out of 40

Here's a link to all the results.

Drew

ODB · 06-28-2006, 06:29 AM

Great job Drew!!!

Ogedei · 06-28-2006, 07:17 AM

Good luck with the future tris! I am jealous, but I will be back with a vengenance once I have more money, ie school is done or I win the lottery!

Good luck with the olympic distance stuff next year as well! I def see those in my future as well.

Good work!

Og.

FishrCutB8 · 06-28-2006, 07:46 AM

Sweet! Work on that swim and you will be vastly improved! What was the course like? Your bike time is kicking!

drew · 06-28-2006, 09:05 AM

The water was somewhat choppy and there were a lot of people...I definitely got kicked and slapped, but I made sure to return the favor!

The bike course was a little hilly...mainly flat.

The run was flat.

Drew

emartin10 · 06-28-2006, 10:50 AM

Welcome to triathlon swimming. I always try to get the lane closest to the public swimming area to get the chop that they create. It's not much, but a big wave to the face a few times a workout really makes the open water cluster a bit easier. Plus, it makes seeing the fat kid jumping off the diving board that much better.

E

ODB · 06-28-2006, 11:04 AM

I've learned just to suck it up and get in the front and try to stay there. I get kicked more by people I'm trying to pass than ones I'm being passed by. Luckily the swim is my strongest part so I can usually stay up there.

emartin10 · 06-28-2006, 11:09 AM

Ditto Joe.

drew · 06-28-2006, 11:23 AM

You see, that's the problem! I suck at swimming! I did manage to pass some people that suck more than me, but I got passed by plenty of people (and by passed, I mean kicked).

I don't think anyone passed me for good on the bike (we traded positions a lot though, and all the badasses were already in front of me), and I'm sure that no one passed me on the run.

Drew

emartin10 · 07-01-2006, 08:13 PM

Drew - see if you can hook up with a local tri club (there are a million in Dallas I'm sure) and practice some open water swims with them. It's great practice, try swimming really close to someone else just to get comfortable in that situation. We practice drafting, close swimming, and even push each other around a bit just to get more comfortable. It really works!

E