First time ST race report. Bear with me.
The Specifics
Male, 57 years old, second time Full Distance. First was IMC 2011 in 11:33:17
The Swim
Disappointed. Felt good, stroke was ok, very little contact but I struggled to track a straight line. On the final leg I thought it came good as I sighted off the apartment buildings. Then a kayaker came over and told me I had to get outside the buoy line. No point arguing with him, I just did it. Target swim 1:05. Actual 1:13:08
Transitions
Both were awesome. Budgeted 10 minutes and used less than 8. Lack of crowding helped but experience helped more
Bike
Again it felt good but wound up slow. Tried to keep everything well in check until the rollers but may have worked harder up Richter than intended. Had some cramping of the left inner thigh out of Keremeos but nothing serious. Rare day where it felt like we had a tailwind to Osoyoos and then again coming home from Kaleden. Target Bike 5:45. Actual 6:11
Run
Opposite of the other 2 legs. Felt terrible but the result was "OK". Got a cramp in my right hamstring while hammering a downhill around Mile 10 Turned around, walked backwards for about 50m and that was enough to ward it off. Actually raced a competitor from about 24k to 37k. He ran throughout, I walked the uphills and aid stations but ran most of the rest. Was able to drop him with about 5 k to go. Apparently the hare will beat the tortoise on rare occasions. Target run sub 4hr. Actual 4:05:44
Target Total Sub 11. Actual 11:37:41
The Bad
Poor swim track, slower swim and bike splits than 2011, slower time overall than 2011 on a day that was close to ideal racing conditions.
The Good
Taking the start with my wife of 30 years as she took on her first Full, giving her a hug around Mile 19 of the run then meeting her after she finished. Age Group win. Transitions; reasonable marathon split in spite of walking waaay too much; good nutrition with no stomach issues; good ideas for what I need to do in training and racing to go faster next time. Still love the course and the volunteers.
The Specifics
Male, 57 years old, second time Full Distance. First was IMC 2011 in 11:33:17
The Swim
Disappointed. Felt good, stroke was ok, very little contact but I struggled to track a straight line. On the final leg I thought it came good as I sighted off the apartment buildings. Then a kayaker came over and told me I had to get outside the buoy line. No point arguing with him, I just did it. Target swim 1:05. Actual 1:13:08
Transitions
Both were awesome. Budgeted 10 minutes and used less than 8. Lack of crowding helped but experience helped more
Bike
Again it felt good but wound up slow. Tried to keep everything well in check until the rollers but may have worked harder up Richter than intended. Had some cramping of the left inner thigh out of Keremeos but nothing serious. Rare day where it felt like we had a tailwind to Osoyoos and then again coming home from Kaleden. Target Bike 5:45. Actual 6:11
Run
Opposite of the other 2 legs. Felt terrible but the result was "OK". Got a cramp in my right hamstring while hammering a downhill around Mile 10 Turned around, walked backwards for about 50m and that was enough to ward it off. Actually raced a competitor from about 24k to 37k. He ran throughout, I walked the uphills and aid stations but ran most of the rest. Was able to drop him with about 5 k to go. Apparently the hare will beat the tortoise on rare occasions. Target run sub 4hr. Actual 4:05:44
Target Total Sub 11. Actual 11:37:41
The Bad
Poor swim track, slower swim and bike splits than 2011, slower time overall than 2011 on a day that was close to ideal racing conditions.
The Good
Taking the start with my wife of 30 years as she took on her first Full, giving her a hug around Mile 19 of the run then meeting her after she finished. Age Group win. Transitions; reasonable marathon split in spite of walking waaay too much; good nutrition with no stomach issues; good ideas for what I need to do in training and racing to go faster next time. Still love the course and the volunteers.