Yesterday Dave and I did an indoor triathlon at Ohio Wesleyan University. The format worked like this: 15 minute swim, 10 minute transition, 15 minute bike, 5 minute transition, 15 minute run. How ever far you went in each of those 15 minute segments was extrapolated to a sprint triathlon (750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run) to get the final time.
The best part of this race was that you could use your own bike on trainers provided. Or, at least, this should be the best part of the race. For me this turned into a challenge. The organizers did a really good job of informing participants that their bikes needed to have slick tires and if the participant did not have this type of bike, the organizers provided a bike for the participant. So, I brought my own bike. But what the organizers didn't specify was that the size of the tires needed to be 700s. I ride 650s. While I was preparing for the swim, the organizers completely dismantled the trainer and rebuilt it to fit my bike. Whether this changed anything for me or not, I don't know. And I didn't even know this had happened until after the event so it didn't change my psyche or anything during the race. It's just something I'll ask in future races.
I had a great swim. Dave and I were in lanes right next to each other and we had planned on trying to draft off each other, but he started out a lot quicker than me. I just didn't want to start out that fast. Although he wound up a lap ahead of me, I was gaining more ground on him in the end. I swam 925 yards in that 15 minutes, which we equated to be about 1:46/100 meters. My projected swim time would have been 13:12.
Then it was time for the bike. I got on that bike and it was like medaling through sand. I started to panic a little. The official said start and I was pedaling like a maniac. I was pushing as hard as I could and I was going like 16 mph. My rpms were over 95 and I was sweating (literally) bullets (figuratively). In that 15 minutes I did a whopping 4 miles. Yes it was my goal to do 16 mph or better, but I didn't realize I was going to have to work so hard to get it. Projected bike time--46:36
Finally my favorite part, the run. I started out at a great pace with one guy running right beside me and everyone else behind me. I kinda figured the guy with me would fade away but instead he got ahead of me and stayed there until the end. I'll be honest, he didn't look like someone who was going to be able to maintain that pace. I kept the running comfortably hard, but I think maybe I should have gone a little harder. I finished the 15 minutes with just over two miles and a 7:16/mile pace. Only one girl in the whole competition ran further than me. Projected run time--22:33
In the end I finished fourth out of 20 in my age group which was 30-49 with a projected time of 1:22:21. I swam and ran further than the three girls ahead of me but they all went further in the bike. It's so frustrating to me that triathlon is such a bike focused sport. But Coach summed it up well when she said that those girls have been riding bikes for years and I've only been riding for a short time and I'm still developing my biking muscles. My time will come.
Because Dave and I raced in the same wave we don't have pictures but if there are some posted from the event I'll be sure to add them to this post.
This was a good starting point for the season. Now I know the work that needs to be done to have a great racing season.
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4 comments:
Congrats on a great race!! Yes, it takes awhile for the biking to come. I'm still living that problem. :) Great run, though! Awesome!
You guys did great! I am glad you both came out and I think your coach is right... at least for me, I've been biking for 7 or so years. :)
Luckily there was one trainer already set up for 650's so they didn't have to do anything before the race. It was the scramble between your wave and the next to get it set for a 700 wheel in 5 minutes! :) You are tiny... we weren't ready for that! :)
I love indoor tris! You had an impressive showing, girl! You should be proud :)
Great job! I am glad you explained how the time worked. It wouldn't have made sense to just add up the distances like I just assumed they did (since miles on the bike come fast than running or swimming). Do you have your race schedule posted anywhere for this year? Perhaps I can make it to a race of yours (and you can beat me BADLY if it involves swimming and biking)
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