Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Race Report
Got to the race site early (7:00) and got a prime spot for my bike and got all my transition gear set up.
Rumour amongst the early birds in transition was no wetsuits - yikes I'm not a very confident swimmer - but I had steeled myself for the possibility since at the newbie's briefing yesterday they had warned us that the lake would probably be too warm to allow wetsuits.
After worrying about not being able to wear it I headed off to registration and body marking. Sign at registration clarified that wetsuits were not allowed for Oly but were optional for Sprint. Big sigh of relief!!
Met up with Mrs FBP and the FBP kidlets around 8:30 and we walked to the beach to watch the Oly start. The buoys were WAY further than I had expected. GULP. Then it was time for me to get into my suit and do a warm up (actually a cool down) swim.
The Sprint main group started at 10 and the "safe start" group that I was in (which was almost as large as the main Sprint start), started 5 minutes later. First 100m was crazy - arms and legs everywhere. Soon enough though we were strung out enough that I was in clear water. I stayed on course pretty well but there were people going every which way. One lady swam at 90 degrees across me. I gently grabbed her ankle and tried to get her facing the right way.
Exited the swim at 18:30 which was right on my target. Only real issue in the swim was that my goggles didn't seal properly due to the sunscreen I had on. Kept having to tread water and empty them. Otherwise, I was pretty proud of myself as I exited the water. Found out later that a lady who exited before me stepped on a fishing hook. The paramedics got it out and she finished the race!
Long run up to T1. Got my goggles and cap off then the top of my wet suit. Into T1, to my bike and then got out of the bottom half of the wetsuit. A bit of a struggle to get it off the leg that the chip was on. Into my shoes, on with the helmet and glasses and out to mount.
The first loop of the bike course was busy because of the Oly's (and Duathletes) being already out. Got passed by some VERY fast tri vets with all the aero gear but seemed to be holding my own with the other "regular" bikers. I was fast on the downhills and passed lots of people.
Ended up leapfrogging through much of the bike course with a lady who would pass me on the uphills while I would pass her on the downhills. We ended up at T2 at exactly the same time. My total time to T2 exit was roughly 1:10. Still right on my target times. Out of T2 my legs felt surprisingly good. In retrospect I think I could have pushed a bit more on the bike but I didn't want to risk trouble on the run.
Off I went to do my 3 loops of a 1.8k path.
It was very busy but no problem finding running space. Course was shaded for 2/3 of the loop which was great because temps were now getting pretty intense. One section of the trail went across a wide open stretch of beach. Could notice the temp go up at least 10c in that section. I believe I ran around 11 minutes per lap. Took a 1 minute walk break at the water station that was located at the start/finish of the loop. Big finish kick up a little incline and crossed the line with a big smile on my face in just under 1:44 total time. My goal had been 1:45.
Could not have asked for a better experience for a first triathlon. I'll be back for more.
PS. This is a really a great event. Kids of Steel yesterday. Oly, Sprint, Duathlon, Team Sprint, Canadian Forces Challenge - something for everyone. Unbelievable door prizes too - 2 bike trainers, a Trek Hybrid (won by one of the Juniors), HRM's, bike computers, etc. Sadly, yours truly came up empty this year but maybe next ...
Rumour amongst the early birds in transition was no wetsuits - yikes I'm not a very confident swimmer - but I had steeled myself for the possibility since at the newbie's briefing yesterday they had warned us that the lake would probably be too warm to allow wetsuits.
After worrying about not being able to wear it I headed off to registration and body marking. Sign at registration clarified that wetsuits were not allowed for Oly but were optional for Sprint. Big sigh of relief!!
Met up with Mrs FBP and the FBP kidlets around 8:30 and we walked to the beach to watch the Oly start. The buoys were WAY further than I had expected. GULP. Then it was time for me to get into my suit and do a warm up (actually a cool down) swim.
The Sprint main group started at 10 and the "safe start" group that I was in (which was almost as large as the main Sprint start), started 5 minutes later. First 100m was crazy - arms and legs everywhere. Soon enough though we were strung out enough that I was in clear water. I stayed on course pretty well but there were people going every which way. One lady swam at 90 degrees across me. I gently grabbed her ankle and tried to get her facing the right way.
Exited the swim at 18:30 which was right on my target. Only real issue in the swim was that my goggles didn't seal properly due to the sunscreen I had on. Kept having to tread water and empty them. Otherwise, I was pretty proud of myself as I exited the water. Found out later that a lady who exited before me stepped on a fishing hook. The paramedics got it out and she finished the race!
Long run up to T1. Got my goggles and cap off then the top of my wet suit. Into T1, to my bike and then got out of the bottom half of the wetsuit. A bit of a struggle to get it off the leg that the chip was on. Into my shoes, on with the helmet and glasses and out to mount.
The first loop of the bike course was busy because of the Oly's (and Duathletes) being already out. Got passed by some VERY fast tri vets with all the aero gear but seemed to be holding my own with the other "regular" bikers. I was fast on the downhills and passed lots of people.
Ended up leapfrogging through much of the bike course with a lady who would pass me on the uphills while I would pass her on the downhills. We ended up at T2 at exactly the same time. My total time to T2 exit was roughly 1:10. Still right on my target times. Out of T2 my legs felt surprisingly good. In retrospect I think I could have pushed a bit more on the bike but I didn't want to risk trouble on the run.
Off I went to do my 3 loops of a 1.8k path.
It was very busy but no problem finding running space. Course was shaded for 2/3 of the loop which was great because temps were now getting pretty intense. One section of the trail went across a wide open stretch of beach. Could notice the temp go up at least 10c in that section. I believe I ran around 11 minutes per lap. Took a 1 minute walk break at the water station that was located at the start/finish of the loop. Big finish kick up a little incline and crossed the line with a big smile on my face in just under 1:44 total time. My goal had been 1:45.
Could not have asked for a better experience for a first triathlon. I'll be back for more.
PS. This is a really a great event. Kids of Steel yesterday. Oly, Sprint, Duathlon, Team Sprint, Canadian Forces Challenge - something for everyone. Unbelievable door prizes too - 2 bike trainers, a Trek Hybrid (won by one of the Juniors), HRM's, bike computers, etc. Sadly, yours truly came up empty this year but maybe next ...
Monday, July 07, 2008
Mission Accomplished!!
Finished my first triathlon on Sunday. What a great feeling !! I really feel a sense of accomplishment from having challenged myself and then doing what was necessary to meet that challenge. I finished in a total time of 1 hour, 44 minutes - just under my goal of 1:45.
I'll write more later but for the moment here's a picture that says it all:
I'll write more later but for the moment here's a picture that says it all:
Friday, July 04, 2008
Finally Friday
Yabba dabba doo !! Today is the last work day before race weekend.
Got out last night for my third Open Water Swim session and it felt very good. I'm really glad that I've had the chance to practice at the race site and become familiar and comfortable with the surroundings. I think it will be a real help come race day on Sunday.
If you're interested, click HERE to see information on the race.
I just looked and there are roughly 170 total entires so far with the largest proportion (70) of those being in the Sprint distance event that I am doing. The more the merrier!!
Got out last night for my third Open Water Swim session and it felt very good. I'm really glad that I've had the chance to practice at the race site and become familiar and comfortable with the surroundings. I think it will be a real help come race day on Sunday.
If you're interested, click HERE to see information on the race.
I just looked and there are roughly 170 total entires so far with the largest proportion (70) of those being in the Sprint distance event that I am doing. The more the merrier!!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Tragedy
Very sad news from Manitoba. Two gentleman who were cycling across the country to raise $$ for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation were killed when hit by a vehicle.
Details available HERE
Details available HERE
Overdue Update
It's been a long time since I've posted. I'm sure this has been a tremendous disappointment to my legions of faithful readers. Then again, maybe not.
Preparations continue for my first sprint distance triathlon. It's now only 4 days away so at this point "the hay is in the barn". In other words, nothing that I can do this week about my physical preparations so just need to get mentally prepared and look after all the small details. There sure are a lot of them when you consider all teh things necessary for swimming AND biking AND running.
I've been to the lake twice to practise Open Water Swimming in my borrowed wetsuit and I've practised the swim to bike and bike to run transitions a bit. Plan is to get to the lake once more either today or tomorrow after work plus I'll do one more short run and a short ride.
Race day is Sunday July 6th.
Preparations continue for my first sprint distance triathlon. It's now only 4 days away so at this point "the hay is in the barn". In other words, nothing that I can do this week about my physical preparations so just need to get mentally prepared and look after all the small details. There sure are a lot of them when you consider all teh things necessary for swimming AND biking AND running.
I've been to the lake twice to practise Open Water Swimming in my borrowed wetsuit and I've practised the swim to bike and bike to run transitions a bit. Plan is to get to the lake once more either today or tomorrow after work plus I'll do one more short run and a short ride.
Race day is Sunday July 6th.
