Multi-Sport RacingTriathalons and Adventure Racing have been sweeping the nation at a phenomenal rate. Multi-Sport Racing is one of the few sports where just completing a race is often considered a victory. Learn all about this sport, post photos, meet potential teammates or brag about your performance in a race.
My goal was two hours for the sprint tri (0.6 swim/12 bike/4 run).
I went to the orientation meeting for first timers Saturday, and it helped calm my fears somewhat. However, the jitters returned Sunday morning.
We got to the lake about an hour before start time, so I had plenty of time to psych myself out. I did pretty well, until I actually got into the water.
My gameplan was to start near the back because I didn't want to get jostled, and if I sprinted out to a lead, it would be gone in a flash anyway.
I stuck to it, but did get hit pretty good for the first 200 meters. That's when the doubts set in. I freaked out, and started realizing that I may not make it. I calmed myself down and after the first turn, settled into a groove that carried me through to the end of the race. I swam the course in 26:18, which was at/better than what I was hoping for.
Then came my downfall. I was near the back, and I figured I could pick some people off during the run and the bike; however, I SEVERELY underestimated the fatigue/cluelessness that I would experience after the swim. The first two miles of the course were hills, and due to my own fatigue and bike shittiness (There's a pic of it, please don't make fun of it. It was easily the crappiest one there) I could never get going. By the time I looked at my watch, I had been going for 45 minutes total, and I wasn't out of the lake park yet.
After walking up a huge hill, I hopped on the bike and never got off, finally finding a pace I could cruise at. However, I lost waaaaaay too much time in the first 1/6 to make up any ground whatsoever on anyone. Time: 1:12 something. Really, really, really awful. I was looking for something in the 45 minute range.
Then came the run, where I expected to make up the most ground. I did, but by the time I was out of the Speedway, it was 1:45, and my hopes of finishing under two hours were gone. I ran at about a 9 minute mile pace, which was what I was looking for. I passed four people on the run, and combined with the one I passed on the bike (scary, I know) made 5. Not bad for the day, and there were some people that finished behind me in the water that didn't catch me too. Run time: 36ish. Overall time: 2:21 something.
I want to do this again next year, and now that I know what to expect, my goal is to drop 30 minutes. Not out of the question, because if I get a better bike, and actually train for more than a month, I can do a lot better. My friend Alex, who I work with, kicked my ass. She did it in 1:47, and along with me has caught the race fever.
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That's awesome Nick. So now you know what to expect next time....and from the pic, I get the impression a different bike could save you some serious time!
I'm inspired...not quite there myself, but eventually, maybe, I'll try one too!
Congrats! And glad it make you catch the race fever.
Great going Ninja! The first race is always hard, but hopefully the bug bit you. I agree with Cappy that you need to get a better bike and you will see a big improvement in your bike leg time. Good going. We're all very proud of you!
Awesome job man. Hearing all these race reports is about to get me back into some road races, adventures, and maybe a tri if I could ever learn how to swim that far without sinking. You should definately be proud.
Only your first and already a Gatorade endorsement!?!?
Whose your agent?
Well done mate!
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Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable. -- Sidney J. Harris
Great Job, Nick! You did better than I could on my best day!
__________________ "I'm growing older but not up. My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck. So let the winds of change blow over my head. I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead."
Nick,
Strategy for next year. Have Alex waiting at the finish line.
I would seriously want to get there as fast as I could with her waiting there.
The first time at anything is a benchmark, a place to start from and improve. Now you know what to expect and you will prepare to kick ass on the next one. Great first effort.
In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
Originally posted by Mahler: Nick,
Strategy for next year. Have Alex waiting at the finish line.
I would seriously want to get there as fast as I could with her waiting there.
The first time at anything is a benchmark, a place to start from and improve. Now you know what to expect and you will prepare to kick ass on the next one. Great first effort.
In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler
I had Mahler's exact same thought. Great job, Nick. I think entering and finishing an event like that is a great accomplishment. Just this morning, I was reading about a local triathlon held this past weekend. I thought, "Maybe someday . . ." realizing I'd have to start running more, start cycling (period) and learn to swim. Oh well, something to do after I turn 50. By then, you could be competing in Hawaii! Again, super news to hear.
Link to the story of our local event, in case anyone is interested:
Way to go man! I'm sure it's an awesome feeling. My first one is in 3 weeks! I'm nervous!!!
Congrats again. That's a great accomplishment!
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"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Nice work Nick. I'd still be doggie-paddling in the lake when you finished. As Mahler said, now you've got a benchmark to work from and I'm sure you'll only get better (assuming you get a decent bike . [img]tongue.gif[/img] )
I think that surviving the tri-athalon is an indication of not doing horrible. [img]smile.gif[/img]
You did alot better than I would do, and you know you can work on it and only get better!
Congrats on finishing it!
Og.
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A new bike is DEFINITELY on the list. Before I went to sleep last night, I definitely caught the fever. I was already plotting my strategy for next year.
Let's just say that the gap will NOT be 34 minutes in 2006.
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Quoth David Banner: "Like a pimp"
It's not a beer belly. It's a gas tank for a sex machine.
Nick that is absolutely awesome! You shouldn't be too disappointed in your results. Think of all the people you beat who say that always want to do it but haven't. At least you were there. You whooped me.
A good friend of mine is way into Tri's and from listening to him a good bike makes all the difference. It might not also hurt to have someone from the swim team give you some pointers so that you can make your stroke more efficient. That is if you weren't on the swim team in a past life.
Again. Very Cool!
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Way to go Nick! I don't know of anyone who's done one that didn't want to do more. I did my first one back in 1985. It was a week after my honey moon and I had not been training a lot. I had to borrow a bike helmet but had a decent bike. Out of 51 competitors I finished at 50th. 20 years later I am still doing them. Next one is in September to celebrate my 45th birthday.
Get yourself in the biking threads and ask some questions about bikes. Lot's of expertise there and some really good stuff in the multisport threads.
Joe
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Ninja-freakin-bookey!!! Welcome to the club, brother! Well done. So you caught the bug, huh? I finished my first this year, too. I am thinking about next year. Maybe we can do some virtual training together.
You definitely want to look at a new bike. It's an investment, but you will shave LOTS of time off with a decent upgrade. Like me, you might even end up riding to work...and the grocery store...and the next town over. It's a blast. There are a lot of guys here who know a boatload about bikes who can help you when you're ready to make that decision. The forums at roadbikereview.com helped me a lot, too.
Something to think about: They say when you do a triathlon, you are a triathlete for a year. When you do an IronMan, you are an Ironman for life. Good job, triathlete!
We are wanting to try one as well, but we still are working on our swimming. Neither my wife or I have ever done any distance swimming, so we have a long way to go.
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Do you get a story deal out of it? The first-timer participation angle might work!
Next year let us know -- the KC contingent can be there to cheer you on.
__________________ The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same. -- Carlos Castaneda
It was the midwest meltdown. It was at WyCo Lake, then off to the Speedway. Even though I have been there before, it was awesome to get to ride and run on the track.
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Quoth David Banner: "Like a pimp"
It's not a beer belly. It's a gas tank for a sex machine.
I hope you gave grandma back her bike...(sorry I had to)...At least you have a bike, I would look silly using my little girls pink bike with training wheels and tassels.
No that you have one under your belt you will know what to expect.
JP may have to set up a race for the board members
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