Location: Lifetime Fitness Schaumburg Location, Schaumburg, Illinois
Date: November 13, 2011
Format: 10 minute swim (25 meter lap pool) / 30 minute bike (stationary bike) / 20 minute run (treadmill). Same format as with the indoor tri I did in March. All athletes get a 10 minute transition from swim to bike, and 5 minutes from bike to run.
Scoring: Point system for each leg, based on order of finish. Points earned for each leg are then added to produce a total score for each athlete.
The second triathlon of my career. Had planned to compete in an outdoor sprint tri during the summer. Ramped up the running too fast following my first tri in March and paid the price next month with knee tendinitis. It took a full three months of rest ie. no running, just cross training, for symptoms to disappear. By that time it was too late to do a summer event. Instead I worked on changes in my running form beginning in August, combined with a new stretching and resistance training regime. Also some nutritional changes favoring a higher protein mix. Was lighter too - six pounds lost since last race in March. Began taper 2 weeks from event by eliminating weight training, then gradually dialing back everything else starting one week from the race. Enjoyed one beer along with carbofest the night beforehand. This time, my wife was there to cheer me on and take some pics.
Swim: My goal was to improve by 25 meters or one lap. Bought a pair of TYR compression jammers, replacing my old training jammers used in the March race, just before this event. Thought that would provide some insurance, and in retrospect it probably did. Shared lane with a nice fellow who beforehand told me his swimming wasn't very good and offered a promise to stay out of my way! Took the pace out too fast, faded mid race and was hurting by the 500 meter mark. Found some energy to make a push at 550 meters (end of lap 22) with just over a minute to go. Hit 625 meters (25 laps) with only 2 seconds remaining. Very pleased with the outcome! Finished 1st mens masters, tied for 2nd overall.
Transition 1: Carried my gym bag with all needed items so I wouldn't have to waste time fumbling with a key and finding then opening my locker. In locker room, took off my jammers and rummaged around in the gym bag for my bike pants. Yikes - couldn't find them ! A very distressing moment and it showed - that plus my state of undress attracted the attention of some bewildered onlookers. Found my key fortunately and ran to my locker, where I located them. Changed and proceeded to bike studio. I then asked a race volunteer to adjust the bike to my preferred settings during which time I put on my bike shoes and heart monitor. That helped me recover some time, and was in the saddle when the bike leg commenced.
Bike: Wasn't looking to push this leg too hard - not originally aiming for a PR here. Wanted to have more left in the tank heading into the run, in contrast to the March tri. About a minute in, and spinning somewhere at race pace in the 140s (RPM) my right cleat disengaged from the pedal, sending my right leg flying - and it seemed like forever to reengage ! (This was a recurring problem in recent training and could have been solved beforehand by tightening the spring tension screws on the pedal. It felt tight enough when I tested my right pedal before the bike leg start.) Race volunteers offered a second bike but it would take too long to make the adjustments to that bike in the process so I declined. Once reengaged (it probably took a half minute to get back up to speed) I had to concentrate on that point forward on keeping my right ankle from turning too far inward. Otherwise I maintained a comfortable pace, even sitting upright at times and chatting with some of the race volunteers. Heart rate though was pushing 160 beats per minute toward the end but I still felt good. Was surprised to see that I had a shot at a PR so went for it with a couple of minutes left. Big finish and a PR - 19.4 miles ! 3rd masters male, 4th overall.
Transition 2: Hurried to the locker room for a change in pants, then ran upstairs. 5 minute transition was tight. Hit the treadmill and was ready to go with only 10 seconds to spare.
Run: Had a goal in mind of 2.90 miles in 20 minutes - a sub 7 minute pace! That would be a big improvement from my tri in March but based on recent time trials seemed doable. Wanted an even pace throughout so I set the dial to 8.7 MPH (6:54 mile pace). Despite a 150+ heart rate a couple minutes in, it actually felt a little slow! But I stayed with it, and fortunately didn't crank it up - because by the middle of the run leg I started feeling like I was going to die. Heart rate at that point was 160 and climbing - anything over 165 wouldn't be sustainable for long. One thing that kept me going was my wife cheering me on. Continually thinking though about when this thing was going to end. Counting down each minute from about the ten minute mark forward. But I did not reach for the speed control until the final minute - when I actually dialed it up faster, to 9.0 MPH ! A BIG finish, huge PR of 2.92 miles and 1st place overall !
Total score: What a relief to get off that treadmill. Totally done in, but felt satisfied that I'd left all my energy on the race "course." Went over immediately to my wife to share a happy moment. I remember her first comment to me being a very practical "don't forget your gym bag." Later would learn that I'd finished first overall on points in the entire race! PRs in all 3 legs and was especially happy with the run. I'd made alot of adjustments since March and collectively they paid off. Lots more to say about that later!
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| A happy triathlon participant, shown fifteen minutes following conclusion of the race. |
