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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly

pjcampbell

Sep 28, 08 13:45

Post #1 of 23 (724 views)

1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly	Can't Post

Did the JerseyMan sprint this morning. I am a pretty average cat3 cyclist with zero running or swimming training within the past 10 years. Been off the bike for a full month at this point, also. I wanted to try some other things on the off season. I really enjoy a self paced race like a Time trial or hill climb race and thought this would be interesting to check out.

Water was reported to be 73 F. I bought a speed suit the other day and was feeling a bit nervous due to the fact that 95% of the people had wetsuits. Going into the water in the first minute I thought I was going to have to be pulled out. All I could see was brown, I had people wacking my legs and I was breathing on every stroke and of course only on one side. I used to swim competitively, but this was 13 years ago and in a pool with my own lane so this is all very new to me. I quickly switched to back stroke and spent the remainder of the time on my back where I could calm myself down and breathe easier. Thankfully I did not get yelled at for doing this. Even if it was completely inefficient, it got me through it! 0.6 miles in 23:44 - 2nd slowest among all of those who finished before me. The following 10 guys who beat me were also faster than me on the swim.

My biggest mistake was taking off the timing chip and putting it into my pocket in the 1st transition. I was worried it would come off and I guess I just did not know enough about the technology to know that the chip needed to low and completely exposed to read. This is most unfortunate because first of all I feel like an idiot, got yelled at (I got yelled at at the finish line of my first tri!!! argh!) and finally I missed out on valuable split info. Lin-Mark did a great job of timing; by the time I got home results already on the internet?!?! These guys surely posted the results FROM the parking lot... impresssive!!!!!!! http://www.lin-mark.com/NJmansprint08.txt

On the bike.... started to rain as soon as we got on. I tried to get into a rhythm but didn't really find it, I would say mostly due to trying to make sure I went the right direction and just staying safe in the rain. There were a few spots were there were cop cars but nobody directing us which way to go. I guessed stay straight and was lucky - because I believe a few people made wrong turns. There were plentiful "arrow" signs directing us in the case where there was no person, though my vision is so bad, I can't see them until I get very close. Probably need contacts or glasses in sports frame. Overall it was a fun ride, pretty hilly, and I know I beat everyone's bike split even if it wasn't posted due to my chip being unreadable :)

On the run, we started off and were told to go the wrong way. Ouch! I sat at the "T" for a good minute pondering the thought of going the wrong way and finally got the go ahead to go the opposite way that we'd been told originally. Thankfully I had only gone a very short while. I was really dragging on the run and think I could have given in a lot more. Based on my known bike and swim and an avg transition times, my run was P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C. No excuses man!!!

Overall it was a great race. I feel awful for the promoters/RDs who did a really great job despite the fact that a huge amount of volunteers did not show up due to the rain. I heard they were down 50 people. I will definitely be doing another triathlon. Oh, I won in my (25-29) AG which was sort of my silent goal. I am looking to do olympic distance but would definitely consider a sprint again. I doubt, at least for a long time you will see me doing a 70.3 or longer.

Thanks for the guys here for answering my dumb newbie questions. Just experiencing one usually helps to work out the rest of the kinks.

Cashmason

Sep 28, 08 14:08

Post #2 of 23 (705 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats on finishing and winning your age group.

Don't even consider and Oly until you are comfortable in the water, and getting bumped, punched and kicked for the first 200 yards.

With your bike background, you could do quite well if you get the swim under control.

ElGordo

Sep 28, 08 15:00

Post #3 of 23 (664 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Welcome aboard, and glad to hear you made it through and are ready to tri again. Take it slow and enjoy the journey, no need to push the distance until you get more comfortable in the water. Seeding yourself at the back of your wave will keep you out of the washing machine and allow you to get through the swim without the commotion.

Also, while you are thinking of it, find a race or two to volunteer at next year. It really is a lot of fun (almost as much fun as racing if done correctly) and will give you much positive race karma the next time you toe the line.

best,
Paul

norton

Sep 28, 08 15:20

Post #4 of 23 (655 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'll echo the others: congratulations.

Anyone's first triathlon is a learning experience; there are a hundred little details that are best absorbed in the heat of competition. Well done.

linhardt

Sep 29, 08 6:34

Post #5 of 23 (593 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Skip Oly and go straight to HIM. The bike is proportionally much longer which is to your advantage vs. the swim and the run does grow quite as fast.

Swim, swim, and swim. Around me there are some open water swimming races and these are good practice. As for the psychological aspect I am not unnerved by people kicking and punching me, but I have friends that go into panic attack mode. Just swim your stroke and make sure you aren't the problem by learning to swim straight. I can't emphasize the last sentence more. A lot of my physical contact problems was because I was swimming into people and once I corrected that the physicalness has lessened greatly.

pjcampbell

Oct 2, 08 15:09

Post #6 of 23 (507 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [linhardt] [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks guys. you know, i'm already thinking about doing a half... there is one this sunday!! ACK!!!!!!! someone save me. i would HAVE to get a wetsuit before then... still up in the air but i'm not ruling it out. the biggest concern is a twt (total workout time) of 5 hours and (lots of) change which is not really something I am used to at this time. fun stuff.

RebelXT

Oct 2, 08 15:33

Post #7 of 23 (490 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Grats on great first tri and AG win!! Looking at your swim split, you must have killed the bike. With a swimming and cycling background under the belt, you can do very well in triathlon! Just get comfortable with OW swimming. HIM one week after first sprint seems like a huge jump to me... I'm sure you can cover 56-mile bike and 1.2 mile swim. How about the run though? Like you said, total time is significant. If you decide to do it, let us know how it went! (I don't know a single person who's done HIM one week after first sprint)

pjcampbell

Oct 3, 08 12:24

Post #8 of 23 (430 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [RebelXT] [In reply to]	Can't Post

well I may bit a bit out of my mind. I've been stressed out lately and this is a very good outlet for me. I bought an entry level QR wetsuit on closeout this morning, fits very nicely, my USAT license and signed up for the half BassMan. I figure worst case if I think im going to die I can quit during the run! Thanks again for the encouragement and congrats. btw i have no plans on doing a full! EVER! I swear!

(This post was edited by pjcampbell on Oct 3, 08 12:34)

RebelXT

Oct 3, 08 13:04

Post #9 of 23 (395 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

heh knew you were going to sign up ;-) Try and get an easy 30-minute swim in your new wetsuit (don't forget bodyglide).

Good luck at BassMan! If you have any last minute questions, feel free to PM or post here. I'm also racing 70.3 this Sunday.

pjcampbell

Oct 6, 08 12:49

Post #10 of 23 (341 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [RebelXT] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well I did and completed the BassMan half distance triathlon yesterday!

Here are the results:
http://www.dqtridu.com/bassfallhalf08.htm

I did it in just about 05:14 (I would guess this would be considered a fast course) and the gave me "3rd" in my AG (not sure how that is since I count 3 [not 2] guys in my AG ahead of me, not counting anyone in the top 3 overall, which I think would put me at 4th).

Going into it my biggest worry was either freezing in the water, or freezing once I got out of the water and onto the bike... driving to South Jersey @ 4:30am, the temp in the car was reading in the 40s!!! Thankfully the wetsuit helped out a lot. My pace went from 39minutes/mile (for .6 miles) from my Sprint last week to 30minutes/mile in the 1.2 yesterday. The water also seemed to be much calmer and in water visibility was much better.

My T1 was pathetic, 05:38!!!! not sure what took me so long but I think I was just fumbling a lot :) T2 was also slow. I was slow putting on my HRM which I should have done out on the course.

Bike was fine, went out a little bit too hard judging by the avg power @ 220 for the first half, and 200 for the second half. Need to get into the mode of steady constant power... think I could get the avg speed up by a few more tenths of a mile this way.

Run, avg'd 8.5+ minute miles. I would say I could have gone a bit faster, but did not want to risk blowing up since I have 0 experience running. Out of the gate, my HR was 160 and climbed steadily to 170 BPM by the end, even at the same pace. Avg was 163 for the half, I might be able to take that up a few BPM and still do even splits.

Bike computer said I burned 1900 calories. I went for all solid foods on the bike because I knew I wouldn't really be able to take that stuff in on the run. Probably about 900 calories from the end of the swim to the end of the bike.... My HRM says 1500 calories for the run, which I would guess it roughly accurate if not over only by 200 calories. During the run I only took in 2 gel packets and some very small cups of accelerade that were provided. Overall I think fuel was just about at the right level although I am having a bit of a hard time understand how... maybe just burned a lot more fat than I am used to (bike racing) due to the lower intensity and long duration.

Few complaints were no clock, anywhere!!!!! More milemarkers would be nice. Going from MM10 to MM13 with no markers is cruel!!!!! There was a buoy that we were supposed to "hug" next to but swim to the right of and people were cutting across. They should have had us go to the left of the buoy. I will of relay these suggestions to the race director...Otherwise very well executed...homemade chicken and rice with cilantro and bread at the finish is much nicer than hot dogs and hamburgers!!!

Overall it was a great experience. I am a bit sore today but nothing awful. I'd like to hit sub 5 just because its seems like a nice even number that is feasible with some good old hard work. I can't believe the guy who won... avg 24.6 MPH on the bike and swim in 23:37!

(This post was edited by pjcampbell on Oct 6, 08 12:51)

rus

Oct 6, 08 16:25

Post #11 of 23 (293 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Great Job! Solid bike split. Good idea on the run pacing for your first half. Blowing up is a bad end to a day, especially your first.

As to your place, it looks accurate. The top 3 OA were in your AG, so take them out.

And Congrats to John Kenny for crushing all of us mortals! :-)

I talked to the race director after. He did mention that some, not many, people cut some on the swim. He said next year, we'll probably have to swim to the left of that buoy.

In Reply To

pjcampbell

Oct 6, 08 17:05

Post #12 of 23 (279 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [rus] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, congrats to you too!!! I really enjoyed this and would definitely love to do it again next year, maybe in the Spring.

Here was my interpretation:

Place Name City, State Age S Bib SwPl Swim Pace T1Pl T1 BkPL Bike MPH T2Pl T2 RnPl Run Pace Finish
===== =================== ============== === = === ==== ===== ==== ==== ==== ==== ======= ==== ==== ==== ==== ======= ===== =======
1 JOHN KENNY ATLANTIC CITY NJ 27 M 650 1 23:37 1:10 1 2:00 1 2:21:14 24.6 20 0:59 2 1:28:14 6:42 4:16:02
2 RUSTY BLAISE NEW YORK NY 28 M 551 14 33:48 1:40 15 2:56 2 2:31:01 23.0 17 0:57 4 1:36:43 7:20 4:45:23
3 PETER CHURCHMAN ARDMORE PA 53 M 653 7 31:15 1:32 2 2:12 17 2:47:04 20.8 4 0:41 1 1:26:17 6:33 4:47:27
4 CASEY WILLIAM DAWLE COLUMBUS GA 29 M 540 27 36:01 1:46 38 3:40 3 2:33:11 22.7 48 1:39 15 1:46:53 8:06 5:01:23
5 RICARDO WAYNE URBIN PHILADELPHIA PA 29 M 647 12 33:44 1:40 3 2:14 5 2:35:55 22.3 2 0:30 19 1:49:23 8:18 5:01:45
6 STEPHEN STIGALL BERWYN PA 39 M 652 9 31:45 1:34 46 3:59 11 2:42:43 21.4 23 1:06 12 1:44:22 7:55 5:03:53
7 JEFF ROMA MANAHAWKIN NJ 28 M 558 40 38:01 1:52 6 2:19 4 2:33:53 22.6 7 0:45 24 1:50:35 8:23 5:05:31
8 JUSTUS Q DERX LIVERPOOL NY 43 M 579 16 34:31 1:42 57 4:23 6 2:36:41 22.2 15 0:54 22 1:50:24 8:22 5:06:51
9 ERIC WINN PEACE DALE RI 54 M 645 11 33:40 1:40 48 4:07 8 2:40:55 21.6 50 1:42 17 1:47:51 8:11 5:08:14
10 PAUL PATTERSON WYNCOTE PA 51 M 649 61 40:06 1:58 23 3:14 12 2:43:23 21.3 37 1:28 9 1:41:30 7:42 5:09:39
11 BRUCE D CAR PENNINGTON NJ 47 M 584 65 40:13 1:59 19 3:05 13 2:44:02 21.2 18 0:58 8 1:41:23 7:41 5:09:40
12 JOE MCMAHON CRANFORD NJ 44 M 618 10 33:10 1:38 40 3:48 28 2:50:28 20.4 25 1:20 10 1:43:26 7:51 5:12:11
13 DANIEL DISANTO MOUNT LAUREL NJ 33 M 562 41 38:10 1:53 33 3:32 18 2:47:23 20.8 11 0:51 11 1:43:47 7:52 5:13:41
14 PATRICK CAMPBELL MIDLAND PARK NJ 28 M 655 30 36:33 1:48 88 5:38 7 2:36:56 22.2 91 2:47 28 1:52:07 8:30 5:13:59

Not that the AG placing thing really matters to me but for the sake of understanding the results: My reading is that the italic guys (1,2,3 overall) do not count for AG because they were overall - then underlined is the guys in my AG not in overall, I count me as #4?

(This post was edited by pjcampbell on Oct 6, 08 17:09)

rus

Oct 6, 08 18:01

Post #13 of 23 (253 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The person listed as #3 was a relay team. So the top 3 OA were Kenny, Blaise (me), and Dawle.

Ricardo won the AG.

so your podium finish was well-deserved. Stop trying to talk your way out of it! ;-)

If you scroll down on the results page, you can see the top male teams. Their runner was pretty fast.

pjcampbell

Oct 6, 08 18:19

Post #14 of 23 (239 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [rus] [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks for the clarification ;)

So what is next on your to do list? Season over? Break?

RebelXT

Oct 7, 08 8:26

Post #15 of 23 (205 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Great job!! Sounds like you had a very solid first HIM. Way to pace yourself on the run.

I did my first 70.3 this last Sunday as well (Longhorn in Austin, TX), and it went well but I also missed 5 hour target by 11 minutes. Brutal hills on the run, but the swim course was way short. One more 70.3 this year for me.

mrtrik

Oct 7, 08 9:03

Post #16 of 23 (191 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats... even though you make some of us (ok me) feel like crap.

Aw, you know, don't have much to do this weekend so i might try my first 70.3. Aw, man, only took 3rd. Crap. Oh well.

:)

coecoe13

Oct 7, 08 9:03

Post #17 of 23 (188 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [rus] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Were you outfitted in the K-Swiss gear head to toe?

-----------------------------------------------------------
Pain or damage don't end the world, or despair, or beatings. The world ends when you're dead, until then you're due for more punishment. Stand it like a man. And give some back.

pjcampbell

Oct 7, 08 10:00

Post #18 of 23 (161 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [coecoe13] [In reply to]	Can't Post

not me? maybe rus?

rus

Oct 7, 08 10:09

Post #19 of 23 (153 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [pjcampbell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Season over. I'll look for some road races to keep some semblence of fitness over the winter. I say that every year and never do though. haha.

You going to keep doing triathlons next year or is it back to bike racing?

rus

Oct 7, 08 10:10

Post #20 of 23 (151 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [coecoe13] [In reply to]	Can't Post

haha.. not yet. Soon I hope. :-)

What about you? You tearing up the roads on some new HEDs?

coecoe13

Oct 7, 08 10:39

Post #21 of 23 (128 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [rus] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not yet, but I don't think my biking will ever be accused of "tearing up the roads". :)

-----------------------------------------------------------
Pain or damage don't end the world, or despair, or beatings. The world ends when you're dead, until then you're due for more punishment. Stand it like a man. And give some back.

SLC_vt98

Oct 7, 08 11:06

Post #22 of 23 (105 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [rus] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Rus,

Nice finish. Why don't you show up in the AG results (below the overall results)?

...
Run like you stole something

pjcampbell

Oct 7, 08 13:13

Post #23 of 23 (80 views)

Re: 1st tri, didn't mess things up TOO badly [rus] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

i think i am going to take a long break from road and crit racing and focus on TTs and tri's. I made "cat3" finally, and now I can not worry about losing my "points" (this is what we silly roadies have to stress over). I can also compete in the NJ "cat 3" Time trial cup which will help in tri's and vice versa. I'd really love to try an Olympic distance tri where I think I could compete in the overall if I get my act together. The tri's are just a different feel than road racing and overall I find the tri's much less stressful and more enjoyable for some reason... i'm psyched to be on board!