by the numbers

Lincoln Park Triathlon June 30, 2013

it's a sprint distance triathlon... 500 meter swim, 10 mile bike ride and 3.1 run.  the swim is in the community lake, shallow and warm.  the bike course is flat and fast.  it's not closed to traffic, but the people there always seem to respect bikers.  that's not the case in my town.  the volunteers are everywhere on the course, and emt are on bike cruising the roads as well.  the run is out-and-back on a flat road.  even though the event organizers are friends, i would say the same thing anyways.  well organized, fun and safe race.  applebee's serves lunch at the end too.  it's a perfect race for a first timer.

they cap the entry off at 300 people.  i would say about 1/3 were above average competitors, a 1/3 average and 1/3 newbies.  last year, i started in the bottom third and finished in the middle.  but this year, i would only be satisfied with a win, or at least, top 3 finish.  as roselle and i drove down to the race, she wanted to know: 

1. my race plan

2. how i would deal with less competitive athletes

**i think she's a bit more concerned about me since my accident; and at eagleman, hearing about kessler crashing into an amateur**

race plan

in my super cool aussie accent 'i'm going to swim hard, bike hard, and run hard.  hopefully puke at finish'.  got a laugh, but i was serious.  body felt great and wanted to push.

bottom 1/3

her concern was about etiquette.  if i was going to push 24 mph on bike and the cruisers' weren't, maneuvering through the field could be difficult on second loop.  some spots it was, but 'on your left' followed by 'thank you' certainly works.  last year, i remember hearing that swooshing sound of fancy wheelsets coming, and i would move over.  thanks to the boys at flo cycling, i'm swooshing as i fly by. but race etiquette is learned by experience.  i'm certain i was in the way last year as i was learning the sport.

race time

at the last second, i decided to put on the wetsuit. water temp was 75.  it was legal, and my thought was that i'm quick to get out of it, so it won't hurt me in transition.  they divided the swim into waves by gender and age.  it's 500 meters, so it's an all-out effort.  gun went off and so did i.  before i knew it, i was passing the wave before us (starting 3 minutes ahead) and i was on dry land again.  super fast.

last year's swim 7:38, this year's 4:24 

stripped off the wetsuit and was on the bike in no time.  the bike course is flat and fast with a few turns. there's only one road that you really need to watch for potholes and the like.  i put my head down and pedaled hard.  my bike speed has certainly increased over the past year and i wanted to get to the front asap.  on the second loop, the majority of the competitors were now riding.  when and where i could, i'd turn it up and motor on by.  last year's bike split 28:38, this year's 26:32. sweet!

back into transition, i laced up the newton's.  they fit like a glove with no need for socks.  time saving bonus.

my #1 fan and personal photographer yelled at me to smile as i left transition.

i ran by myself for just about 2 miles.  there were a few older guys (wave 1 was 35-44 male) ahead of me and flying. a few caught me too.  on my way back to the finish, i shouted encouragements to my fellow racers, received a few comments on my sweet kicks and my behind.  i don't get it, but it's not the first time.

last year's 3.1 24:03, this year's 21:49

my overall time was 56:11.  improving by almost 8 minutes off of last year's time.  i took first in my age group, had the 3rd fastest swim time overall, 17th fastest bike overall and 24th fastest run of the day.  however, i didn't vomit at the finish line.  i felt pretty good, so i guess that means i need to push harder next time.