Stonebridge Tri - Triathlon Week

chappy · 09-30-2006, 05:07 PM

Alright, tomorrow is the big day. I picked up my race packet and had my first big dork moment as a first time triathlete.

I got home and immediately tried on the swim cap and race shirt. I took off the swim cap and decided to do an easy ride around the course on the bike to get used to the gears, etc. Wow, the road bike is much easier than the moutain bike. I can cruise at about 25-26 mph no problem. Alright I get to the first turn and no problem getting out of the pedals, but when I make the turn and start up a small steap hill, I realize I still got the bike in the toughest gear. So instead of changing gears, I just decide to stand up and push to the top of the small hill and chain pops off immediately. I get to the top of the hill and pull over and the chain is all twisted on the derauler. I finally get it untwisted when a group of about 8 people riding the course come by and help out. Great people, those triathletes. The guy and girl in the lead have both done Iron and I finished the ride around the course getting some good advice for the race tomorrow. I'm sure they thought I was a huge dork riding around in the race shirt, I just picked up a half an hour ago. Oh well, I guess it is better than wearing the race shirt to the race.

Everybody wish me luck and I'll let you know how things go tomorrow.

chappy · 10-01-2006, 01:15 PM

Alright, I am now an official triathlete. My overall time was 1:25:19.4.

We had an in water start for the 750 m swim and the water was 74 degrees so not to cold. My swim time was 16:24.7 and then a T1 of 3:21. I could definitely improve my T1 time, but we had a pretty long run up and over a hill and then had to run from the start of the transition to the back before getting our bike so no one would have an advantage if their bike was near the front. I actually had a shorter T1 time than almost everyone finishing near me. Most of the top ten were around 2 minutes.

The bike was 36:12.3 and I averaged 19.9 mph. I had some trouble getting into the top gear during the first lap, but I have got to be happy with my time here. My T2 was 1:37.5 seconds which was quite a bit better than everyone around me (Thanks Scott).

I was dissapointed in my run a little bit. I finished in 27:43.1 for a 5K. In my defense the course was extremely hilly. There were 2 underpasses in an out and back course so 4 steep uphill and downhills and the the first 1.3 miles was uphill so I didn't really get into a groove until the last downhill. I did pass an Ironman in the last 1/2 mile so that made me feel good. He even tried to catch me since we were in the same age group and I'd be embarrassed if I got passed by me too.

Overall, wow. It was an incredible experience. Everyone was great and I'm definitely hooked. I finished in the top half overall, men, and in my age group. I finished 3 out of 10 for clydes in my age group and 15 out of 70 for all clydes. There is a reverse tri on Oct 22nd and they are having a drawing for a $3K tri-bike with registratition and since I don't have a bike it might be a good idea to jump in and do that one.

sfricks · 10-01-2006, 04:20 PM

KICK BUTT TERRY! Great race. That's smokin' for an experienced Triathlete, let alone a Tri Virgin. Think of what you can do next time now that you have some experience. Good luck in your October race. Hopefully I will have done Iron the day before.

hmullett · 10-01-2006, 06:32 PM

Terry! You Rock! What a great first experience! And, trust me, it only gets better with every race! Let us know how the Oct race goes. You should be really proud of yourself! Amazing accomplishment!

Heather

chappy · 10-01-2006, 07:09 PM

Thanks guys. I was really stoked when I saw the time. I actually made my double secret goal of 1:25. I realized after I typed it that I am going to be on travel for work on the 22nd so I won't do that race, but I'm definitely going to do another.
What are some good online stores for triathlon clothes? The running shorts aren't going to cut it. I got some serious chaffing in a very unfortunate place.

hmullett · 10-02-2006, 04:40 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] are good ones. Also, with a USAT membership, sportsbasement has a discount code. Good luck!

Heather

sfricks · 10-02-2006, 05:35 AM

I use [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and have had good luck with them.