Boulder Sprint Distance Triathlon (Rehearsal)
Sunday June 8, 2008 - 8:00am
Air Temperature: 56 degrees
Race Day Weight: 222.2lbs/ 6'0"
Pre-race day is usually a quiet time for me... thinking through transitions (Swim to Bike... Bike to Run). I laid out my CWW Uni-body Tri Suit, Polar watch and running shoes. I packed my wetsuit, goggles, cap and cycling shoes. I spent a little more time preparing for this race. I noticed during the Duathlon just one week ago that I forgot my bike pump as well as my race number belt. There were alternative ways to have my tires "Topped Off" and my race number affixed to a shirt that I would put on after the swim, but it was alarming to realize that I didn't have my own equipment last week. This is something that has never happened in my past. So I carefully packed my bags... secured my bike on to the car, and felt more grounded and prepared going into the Boulder Sprint Rehearsal.
I would need to leave Highlands Ranch at 5:15am to arrive at the Boulder Reservoir at 6:15 for check in. I like to arrive early to allow myself time for leisurely check in, transition setup and bike "shake down". Today was no exception. I hit the road on time... carrying my new Equinox E9 TT/Tri Bike. This will be my second time riding it. I still need to purchase a hydration system as well as a computer to log my mileage, cadence, and to calculate my Miles Per Hour (MPH). Those items are next on the list to purchase.
I have had some challenges transporting the "E9"... the aero shaped top tube doesn't allow my bike carrier to get a secure grip... so occasionally the bike will "Flail" out away from the car... this happened while I was driving 75 MPH down I-36 headed into Boulder. -- I managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road to resecure the bike. I just feel tentative driving fast. I hope to figure out a more secure way to transport my bike in the future.
I ran into a brief shower of rain during my commute... all I could think of was how cold it would be to bike in the rain. The weather had called for high 70's so I didn't have clothes that would shield me from the rain. My prayer was that the rain would cease and the sun would shine so that I would have Big Fun in the Sun! Swim, Bike, Run!
I arrived early, parked and checked in. I was wearing a jacket and pants over my uni-body suit. The air temperature was fifty-six degrees... however, it felt like six degrees. I racked my new bike... being careful to balance it so that it wouldn't fall as it had the week before. I tucked my bike helmet under the front tire to stabilize it. It seemed reasonably secure considering the winds weren't too high.
I socialized a bit before putting on my full leg wetsuit... my friend helped me get the suit positioned correctly... it seemed to ride "up" in areas where it should have been "down". Between the two of us I felt reasonably comfortable and headed to the swim start.
I usually start my "orientation to the water" a bit earlier than I did today. As a result, I had to rush myself into the cold lake water and prepare for a quick "Mass Start". I felt slightly hurried. There were three huge waves... the "White Caps"... those of us who were comfortable in the water were going first. The second wave were those who could make the distance but didn't want to be in the first wave rush, and the third wave were those who needed to swim next to a "Swim Angel"... someone holding a floating noodle in case of panic in the open water. Today I was in wave one, and our race started at 8:00am sharp.
So, off we went... splashing into the sun... arms and legs flailing. I jockeyed for position... trying to find my place... struggling to find my pace... eventually the crowd died down and I found a rhythm that I could sustain for the next eight hundred meters. We swam clockwise, which isn't ideal for me. I breathe to my left and prefer to swim counter clockwise. However, this year I learned a new way to sight... it requires a simple lift of the head to make sure I am on track heading toward the large florescent orange buoys. I learned this at an earlier open water swim clinic and I appreciated the ever so slight change in the way I had sighted before. If you do not sight correctly in open water, you end up swimming "Off Mark". I have always been proud of this skill and I enjoyed the ease the new technique added to my already comfortable sighting style. -- I rounded the first buoy, then the second... now I was on my way "Home"... home being the shore line where the swim leg ended.
I finished the swim in 17:25 (HR Max 152, HR Avg 137). Usually the swim split ends by running across a timing mat which is usually located at the top of the hill and closer to the road before crossing into the Transition area. This timing happens when the timing chip attached to one's ankle crosses the mat. Today I took my split at the sandy shore when I exited the water. This split would usually be at least one minute longer in a "Timberline Timed" event.
So, up the sand we ran... my sensitive feet numb from the cold water... someone put a small pool of water for us to run through... to rinse the sand from our toes. There was also a soft mat trailing into the parking lot shielding our feet from the course black top surface. We were headed into "T1"... the transition from Swim to Bike!
I was wearing my wetsuit which was now unzipped to my waist. I sat down to pull it inside out and off of my legs. I took my time putting on socks and padded gloves to cycle. Had it been a real race I may have opted to bike without socks until my feet were dry and put my socks on during my bike to run transition (T2). Today was slightly more leisurely, so my T1 was 5:46.
Heading out on the bike now the air temperature was warming. The sun was shining and I felt happy. Many were heading out with heavy coats and/or long sleeved jersey's... but I knew that by the time the cycling leg was over, my uni-body tri suit would offer sufficient warmth relative to the temperature and the efforts I put forth on the bike.
I was riding my new E9 (Trek Equinox Time Trial/Tri Specific Bike). It was new for me to get committed to shifting in an aero position. I enjoy closing my hands around the shifters and holding on... making the chain dance across the sprockets... dialing in on the perfect gear for the given terrain that changes minute to minute. All that said, I still felt slow climbing out of the reservoir. The incline was deceptive, but present nevertheless. I geared down and allowed my legs to spin easily... feeling winded by the minor effort, I found a comfortable cadence and continued on my journey.
I somehow wanted more from the bike leg than I was able to give. It had been years since I have biked out of the 'Res... I remember when that particular part of the ride wasn't a challenge... but today was a different story. -- Heading out on to I-36, I also had flash backs of previous "Boulder Peak" attempts and the most memorable "5430 Half Ironman"... all of those bike legs shared this particular part of the road... and I relished in the memory of those races of the past. I realize now that I was in amazing condition back then... I vowed to never criticize my speed as I have in the past... I must stay focused on the ability to cover the distance and relax more in terms of needing to go faster than I naturally do.
So, the route went out I-36 to Hwy 7, to Foothills Hwy then turned right on Neva Road. That particular road has a nice down hill with a hard roller/uphill segment. My legs were excited about the speed we reached going downhill. "On your left" I yelled as I shifted into a higher gear to pedal. It was an enjoyable experience and it encouraged me to spin harder and faster on the flats that were just ahead.
Over all the bike leg went well. I will need to spin flats and rollers to condition my legs to produce and sustain a higher cadence. Next up... "The Run!"
My T2 was reasonable considering I had to change from cycling shoes to running shoes. I slipped on my run shirt with race number pinned to it. I'll have to look for my race belt as the weather gets warmer and it is less desirable to run with a second layer on top.
The run headed out counter-clockwise around the reservoir. I found myself reminiscing about the 5430 Half Ironman I finished in 2003. I remember that road so well... and the time when I volunteered to man a water station at the Boulder Peak! What fond memories I flirted with as I trotted round the bend. The run today was three miles... it seemed like at least four! My legs moved slowly and I dropped to a walk at times on the way out. At the half way mark my pace picked up and I felt a little more of a run come in. It felt great to pull in front of a woman that played "cat and mouse" with me to the half way point.
It was a lonely run as many of the tri team members had completed this leg... but many were also on their way out and I was headed back and would soon be at the finish line.
The finish line was hidden... tucked away from sight on my decent back into the parking lot from which we started. The pink ribbon was finally in view... and I ran through the cheers enjoying the completion of the Boulder Sprint Distance Triathlon Rehearsal!
Sunday June 8, 2008 - 8:00am
Air Temperature: 56 degrees
Race Day Weight: 222.2lbs/ 6'0"
Pre-race day is usually a quiet time for me... thinking through transitions (Swim to Bike... Bike to Run). I laid out my CWW Uni-body Tri Suit, Polar watch and running shoes. I packed my wetsuit, goggles, cap and cycling shoes. I spent a little more time preparing for this race. I noticed during the Duathlon just one week ago that I forgot my bike pump as well as my race number belt. There were alternative ways to have my tires "Topped Off" and my race number affixed to a shirt that I would put on after the swim, but it was alarming to realize that I didn't have my own equipment last week. This is something that has never happened in my past. So I carefully packed my bags... secured my bike on to the car, and felt more grounded and prepared going into the Boulder Sprint Rehearsal.
I would need to leave Highlands Ranch at 5:15am to arrive at the Boulder Reservoir at 6:15 for check in. I like to arrive early to allow myself time for leisurely check in, transition setup and bike "shake down". Today was no exception. I hit the road on time... carrying my new Equinox E9 TT/Tri Bike. This will be my second time riding it. I still need to purchase a hydration system as well as a computer to log my mileage, cadence, and to calculate my Miles Per Hour (MPH). Those items are next on the list to purchase.
I have had some challenges transporting the "E9"... the aero shaped top tube doesn't allow my bike carrier to get a secure grip... so occasionally the bike will "Flail" out away from the car... this happened while I was driving 75 MPH down I-36 headed into Boulder. -- I managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road to resecure the bike. I just feel tentative driving fast. I hope to figure out a more secure way to transport my bike in the future.
I ran into a brief shower of rain during my commute... all I could think of was how cold it would be to bike in the rain. The weather had called for high 70's so I didn't have clothes that would shield me from the rain. My prayer was that the rain would cease and the sun would shine so that I would have Big Fun in the Sun! Swim, Bike, Run!
I arrived early, parked and checked in. I was wearing a jacket and pants over my uni-body suit. The air temperature was fifty-six degrees... however, it felt like six degrees. I racked my new bike... being careful to balance it so that it wouldn't fall as it had the week before. I tucked my bike helmet under the front tire to stabilize it. It seemed reasonably secure considering the winds weren't too high.
I socialized a bit before putting on my full leg wetsuit... my friend helped me get the suit positioned correctly... it seemed to ride "up" in areas where it should have been "down". Between the two of us I felt reasonably comfortable and headed to the swim start.
I usually start my "orientation to the water" a bit earlier than I did today. As a result, I had to rush myself into the cold lake water and prepare for a quick "Mass Start". I felt slightly hurried. There were three huge waves... the "White Caps"... those of us who were comfortable in the water were going first. The second wave were those who could make the distance but didn't want to be in the first wave rush, and the third wave were those who needed to swim next to a "Swim Angel"... someone holding a floating noodle in case of panic in the open water. Today I was in wave one, and our race started at 8:00am sharp.
So, off we went... splashing into the sun... arms and legs flailing. I jockeyed for position... trying to find my place... struggling to find my pace... eventually the crowd died down and I found a rhythm that I could sustain for the next eight hundred meters. We swam clockwise, which isn't ideal for me. I breathe to my left and prefer to swim counter clockwise. However, this year I learned a new way to sight... it requires a simple lift of the head to make sure I am on track heading toward the large florescent orange buoys. I learned this at an earlier open water swim clinic and I appreciated the ever so slight change in the way I had sighted before. If you do not sight correctly in open water, you end up swimming "Off Mark". I have always been proud of this skill and I enjoyed the ease the new technique added to my already comfortable sighting style. -- I rounded the first buoy, then the second... now I was on my way "Home"... home being the shore line where the swim leg ended.
I finished the swim in 17:25 (HR Max 152, HR Avg 137). Usually the swim split ends by running across a timing mat which is usually located at the top of the hill and closer to the road before crossing into the Transition area. This timing happens when the timing chip attached to one's ankle crosses the mat. Today I took my split at the sandy shore when I exited the water. This split would usually be at least one minute longer in a "Timberline Timed" event.
So, up the sand we ran... my sensitive feet numb from the cold water... someone put a small pool of water for us to run through... to rinse the sand from our toes. There was also a soft mat trailing into the parking lot shielding our feet from the course black top surface. We were headed into "T1"... the transition from Swim to Bike!
I was wearing my wetsuit which was now unzipped to my waist. I sat down to pull it inside out and off of my legs. I took my time putting on socks and padded gloves to cycle. Had it been a real race I may have opted to bike without socks until my feet were dry and put my socks on during my bike to run transition (T2). Today was slightly more leisurely, so my T1 was 5:46.
Heading out on the bike now the air temperature was warming. The sun was shining and I felt happy. Many were heading out with heavy coats and/or long sleeved jersey's... but I knew that by the time the cycling leg was over, my uni-body tri suit would offer sufficient warmth relative to the temperature and the efforts I put forth on the bike.
I was riding my new E9 (Trek Equinox Time Trial/Tri Specific Bike). It was new for me to get committed to shifting in an aero position. I enjoy closing my hands around the shifters and holding on... making the chain dance across the sprockets... dialing in on the perfect gear for the given terrain that changes minute to minute. All that said, I still felt slow climbing out of the reservoir. The incline was deceptive, but present nevertheless. I geared down and allowed my legs to spin easily... feeling winded by the minor effort, I found a comfortable cadence and continued on my journey.
I somehow wanted more from the bike leg than I was able to give. It had been years since I have biked out of the 'Res... I remember when that particular part of the ride wasn't a challenge... but today was a different story. -- Heading out on to I-36, I also had flash backs of previous "Boulder Peak" attempts and the most memorable "5430 Half Ironman"... all of those bike legs shared this particular part of the road... and I relished in the memory of those races of the past. I realize now that I was in amazing condition back then... I vowed to never criticize my speed as I have in the past... I must stay focused on the ability to cover the distance and relax more in terms of needing to go faster than I naturally do.
So, the route went out I-36 to Hwy 7, to Foothills Hwy then turned right on Neva Road. That particular road has a nice down hill with a hard roller/uphill segment. My legs were excited about the speed we reached going downhill. "On your left" I yelled as I shifted into a higher gear to pedal. It was an enjoyable experience and it encouraged me to spin harder and faster on the flats that were just ahead.
Over all the bike leg went well. I will need to spin flats and rollers to condition my legs to produce and sustain a higher cadence. Next up... "The Run!"
My T2 was reasonable considering I had to change from cycling shoes to running shoes. I slipped on my run shirt with race number pinned to it. I'll have to look for my race belt as the weather gets warmer and it is less desirable to run with a second layer on top.
The run headed out counter-clockwise around the reservoir. I found myself reminiscing about the 5430 Half Ironman I finished in 2003. I remember that road so well... and the time when I volunteered to man a water station at the Boulder Peak! What fond memories I flirted with as I trotted round the bend. The run today was three miles... it seemed like at least four! My legs moved slowly and I dropped to a walk at times on the way out. At the half way mark my pace picked up and I felt a little more of a run come in. It felt great to pull in front of a woman that played "cat and mouse" with me to the half way point.
It was a lonely run as many of the tri team members had completed this leg... but many were also on their way out and I was headed back and would soon be at the finish line.
The finish line was hidden... tucked away from sight on my decent back into the parking lot from which we started. The pink ribbon was finally in view... and I ran through the cheers enjoying the completion of the Boulder Sprint Distance Triathlon Rehearsal!
Boulder Sprint Distance Triathlon Rehersal
S: 17:25 152 max 137 avg
T1: 5:46 168 max 142 avg
B: 1:16:48 160 max 143 avg
T2: 1:31 135 max 126 avg
R: 43:42 175 max 155 avg
Total Time: 2:23:92
S: 17:25 152 max 137 avg
T1: 5:46 168 max 142 avg
B: 1:16:48 160 max 143 avg
T2: 1:31 135 max 126 avg
R: 43:42 175 max 155 avg
Total Time: 2:23:92
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