The word for the day (and weekend) was hot! Triple digits the day before the race, humidity near 90% race day, but the kicker was the water temperature.
The other word for the day was fun! Several months ago, I was able to convince Jordana to try a tri and I signed her up for Rocketts Landing. We found a sweet tri-bike on Craigslist and she spent the months of June and July learning how to clip and in and out of her pedals and get her water bottle without crashing. Anyhow, we dropped the kids off with my parents and drove up to Richmond Saturday morning for the pre-race briefing. Three of her friends were also there for the first time (two doing the duathlon and one doing the tri). After the meeting, we caravaned to packet pickup then went to lunch at P.F. Changs. They were the corporate sponsor so we all got 25% off by showing our race bibs and we got free appetizers (got the coupon with our race bibs). After that, Jordana and I drove to the race course and I gave her some pointers as I pointed out the swim course, transition area, and portions of the bike and run courses. Then it was off to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Short Pump to relax. Later, Jordana and I had a nice pre-race dinner at Bertuccis followed by self-serve yogurt. In bed by 9:30 for a 4:30 am wake up.
Race Day
The alarm rang at 4:30 and we headed downstairs to make and eat our standard pre-race breakfasts of PB&J. To our dismay we found that my relative's ice maker had broken during the night -- no ice for our water bottles. I hopped in the car and found a 7-11 bought a bag of ice and sped back. We filled and iced up our water bottles and headed off for the race.
We arrived at transition around 5:45. I helped Jordana set up her transition area, then set up my own transition area. Got our body marking (numbers on both arms and thighs, age written on calf) and our chips. Used the port-a-johns. Then went to the swim start to wait with the others for the 7am race start.
I was in swim wave 3 (of 5) and Jordana was in wave 5. The best part of the race was when they called my wave to get in the water. Nothing starts off a race better than standing with your wife at the race start, giving her a kiss, and saying "have a good race, see you at the finish." No matter what else happens, you know it will be a good race!!
The Swim
Rocketts Landing is an in-water start. We jumped in and, holy steamed mussels Batman, the water was warm, no not warm, hot. 91 degrees hot. It was like a bath tub. Much warmer than I remembered from last year. Much warmer, indeed, than I had ever swum in (I don't think the Bethesda outdoor pool where I do Masters swimming during the summer was ever this warm).
The horn sounded and we were off. And I FELT AWFUL. I instantly regretted not swimming shirtless (I was in my sleeveless tri-shirt) and wished I was not wearing my swim cap. To my surprise, I found it very difficult to find a swimming rhythm. I was sweating and was having trouble with my breathing due to the hot water. I found myself breaststroking much more often than normal (that is, not just when I was having trouble sighting). The air temp was a bit cooler than the water which made my goggles fog up a little. In a word, I was miserable.
I eventually reached the turn buoy. I was feeling sluggish and had a sinking feeling about how I would perform the rest of the race. At least, I was slowly finding a swim rhythm. I guess my body was finally adjusting to the water, now that the swim portion was half way over. My sighting got better and I was able to see the yellow flags that marked the end of the swim course. But every time I looked up after swimming those flags did not seem to be getting any closer. What? I was swimming downstream (not that there was any current in the James), but it felt like I was swimming backwards!. By now, I had passed a few swimmers from the wave in front of me, but was mostly surrounded by swimmers from the wave behind me. Oh well.
Mercifully, the flags finally got closer and closer. About 10 feet from the finish dock, I had to start breaststroking and finished the swim portion with that stroke. Climbed up the ladder, stumbled up the steps and headed off to transition.
My swim time was 28:34, 16 seconds slower than last year. My swim rank was 199 out of 403 overall, and 10 out of 26 for my age group (M45-49). Not too good and I was less than optimistic about my total race time.
T1
As I may have mentioned last year, T1 times at Rocketts Landing are pretty slow. You get out of the water and immediately have to run up a set of slippery wooden stairs leading from the dock. Then you cross over a set of train tracks (covered with carpet), across a plaza (where the post-race party will be held), then up a long flight of concrete steps to the road, then run along the road about a tenth of a mile to the transition area.
Found my bike, got on my helmet and cycling shoes, and headed out for the bike portion.
T1 time: 3:33, 22 seconds slower than last year. My T1 time was 278 out of 403 overall, and 18 out of 26 in my age group.
The Bike
I'd ridden my bike once since Eagleman in June. But I felt good and comfortable getting on the bike. I got into aero position and stayed in that position most of the race (except when fueling). I had my Clif Shot Blocks and stuck to my schedule of one shot block and one long drink of gatorade every 10 minutes. I think I'm finally getting the hang of selecting the correct gear to ride in. It was a good ride. I felt like I was kicking ass on the bike.
I passed way more bikes than passed me -- so I felt pretty good. Compared to the pancake flatness of Eagleman, the rolling hills at Rocketts seemed a bit more fun. Standing up into power position to pass cyclists on the uphill. Flying down the downhills. There is one particularly long hill as the course crosses over the Pocohontas Parkway, I hit 34 miles per hour -- that was fun!!
All too quickly, I hit the turnaround and headed back. Compared to 56 miles at Eagleman, 40K (or 24.8 miles) seemed like a cake walk. Before I knew it, I had passed the 20 mile mark and was heading into the home stretch of the course. It was around this point that I had my only panic attack on the bike. Up ahead, I could see a female triathlete running next to her bike (in triathlons, if your bike craps out -- for example, something goes wrong that you can't fix on the course -- it is legal to complete the bike course running, you just have to bring your bike with you). Anyhow, from the back her tri-shirt looked similar to Jordana's and I had a sinking feeling something happened to her on the bike. As I passed, whew, not Jordana!!
Next thing I knew, I was crossing the set of train tracks that meant less than a mile to dismount. "Those tracks really get you in the ass!" called out a cyclist next to me who was trying to pass me. "Yep" I said, as I sped up because I was not going to get passed in the final moments of the bike. Finished the bike, dismounted and ran into transition.
Bike Time: 1:14:59 -- four minutes faster than last year -- feeling good now! 180 out of 403 overall, 10 out of 26 for my age group. My average speed was 19.8 mph!! Faster bike time yet!!!
T2
Ran back into transition, re-racked my bike. Switched my cycling shoes for my running shoes. Helmet for running hat. Put on my garmin, grabbed a gu and headed out to the run.
T2 Time: 1:23 -- fifteen seconds faster than last year. 182 out of 403 overall, 9 out of 26 for my age group.
The Run
Surprisingly, my legs felt a bit rubbery as I started the 10K. I say surprisingly because at Eagleman, after having biked 56 miles, my legs felt great when I started the run. So I was a bit surprised that after only 24.8 miles, my legs felt this way. Perhaps, because I had not done much transition training in the intervening weeks.
Anyhow, I quickly noticed I was, like at Eagleman, passing runners left and right. Well not that often because there were a lot fewer participants in this race. However, I decided that I would have the same goal -- I would not let anyone pass me on the run. And for the second time, I met that goal. I continually passed runner after runner, including many who were duathletes (that meant instead of the swim, they had run an out and back 2 miles) who I would have thought would have been done. Speaking of that, the top finishers were crossing the starting line as I started the run!
I was familiar with the run course, so was ready for ALL THE STAIRS -- the stairs along the river walk, the stairs up and over the railroad tracks, and then repeat on the out and back. As hot as the water was, the air did not seem as hot as last year not has humid as at Eagleman. I was feeling pretty good on the run.
How many of you have seem the Splendiferous Barfing Cup on Facebook or YouTube? Raise your hands! As I crossed the bridge over the James on the way back, I got to see one runner do his own impression of the Barfing Cup, or as I like to call him the Barfing Runner. At first, I thought he was pouring a cup of water over his head as he bent over, but then I noticed that is alot of water for the small cups they were handing out. Then I realized that wasn't water. "You all right brother?" someone called out. Not hearing a "no" in response, we kept going.
I passed Jordana's three friends (who were all on their way out, as I was heading back). I felt a little bad when I passed Jordana's friend who was doing the tri. Before the race, Jordana said that she had three goals: (1) finish, (2) not finish last, and (3) finish in front of her friend. As an aside on goal number 2, "in every race, someone has to finish last" I said, "why shouldn't it be you or me?" It was meant in jest of course. Anyhow, back to the race. I felt a little disappointed that Jordana wouldn't beat her friend. Of course, I hadn't seen her since before the race and was beginning to wonder how she was doing.
At about the 5 mile mark for me (1 mile mark for the outbound runners), I see Jordana coming along the course. She raises her hand for a high-five. "Way to go sweetie" we call out to each other as we give each other high-fives. That was the best part of the race (next to the pre-race kiss)!! After the race, she told me that just after that exchange she turned to the woman running next to her and said "that's my husband."
Meanwhile, I was picking up the pace for the final mile, passing additional runners. The final quarter mile, the course leaves the road, crosses a number of train tracks and proceeds along a gravel road to the chute and then the finish. As I crossed the tracks I see a runner in front of me. I'm trying to read his age on his calf (remember, in tri's it's all about the age group). I'm trying to read it on his moving leg. 16? no, he's too old. 76? no, he's too young. I squint. 46. My age group. I kick it into high gear and pass him in the chute. I ended up finishing 2 seconds in front of him.
Run time: 42:53 -- over 2 minutes faster than last year. 32 out of 403 overall, and fastest run time for my age group. My average run pace was 6:55, faster for a tri. So I was very pleased.
Post-Race
My total race time was 2:31:20 -- a six minute PR over last year's Rocketts Landing. So I was feeling great. I finished 97 out of 403 overall (top 24%) (although I was in the top 18% last year).
Oh yeah, remember that 46 year old I passed in the chute? Good thing. I finished 3rd in my age group and received an age group award (plaque and water bottle)! Yay!!
Meanwhile, Jordana had a kick-ass 3:05:58 time, finishing 320 overall, 10th in her age group, and 3rd fastest first-time female triathlete! Oh yeah, she passed her friend on the run and accomplished all three of her goals. She even quipped when it was over -- that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I am one proud husband!!
We stuck around for the awards ceremony so I could get my age group award, then packed up our gear and headed home. Showered and changed at my relatives. Had a nice meal at Panera, then spent the drive back to DC re-living and analyzing the race. Jordana even started talking about how to improve on her NEXT tri!
I can't wait....
The other word for the day was fun! Several months ago, I was able to convince Jordana to try a tri and I signed her up for Rocketts Landing. We found a sweet tri-bike on Craigslist and she spent the months of June and July learning how to clip and in and out of her pedals and get her water bottle without crashing. Anyhow, we dropped the kids off with my parents and drove up to Richmond Saturday morning for the pre-race briefing. Three of her friends were also there for the first time (two doing the duathlon and one doing the tri). After the meeting, we caravaned to packet pickup then went to lunch at P.F. Changs. They were the corporate sponsor so we all got 25% off by showing our race bibs and we got free appetizers (got the coupon with our race bibs). After that, Jordana and I drove to the race course and I gave her some pointers as I pointed out the swim course, transition area, and portions of the bike and run courses. Then it was off to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Short Pump to relax. Later, Jordana and I had a nice pre-race dinner at Bertuccis followed by self-serve yogurt. In bed by 9:30 for a 4:30 am wake up.
Race Day
The alarm rang at 4:30 and we headed downstairs to make and eat our standard pre-race breakfasts of PB&J. To our dismay we found that my relative's ice maker had broken during the night -- no ice for our water bottles. I hopped in the car and found a 7-11 bought a bag of ice and sped back. We filled and iced up our water bottles and headed off for the race.
We arrived at transition around 5:45. I helped Jordana set up her transition area, then set up my own transition area. Got our body marking (numbers on both arms and thighs, age written on calf) and our chips. Used the port-a-johns. Then went to the swim start to wait with the others for the 7am race start.
I was in swim wave 3 (of 5) and Jordana was in wave 5. The best part of the race was when they called my wave to get in the water. Nothing starts off a race better than standing with your wife at the race start, giving her a kiss, and saying "have a good race, see you at the finish." No matter what else happens, you know it will be a good race!!
The Swim
Rocketts Landing is an in-water start. We jumped in and, holy steamed mussels Batman, the water was warm, no not warm, hot. 91 degrees hot. It was like a bath tub. Much warmer than I remembered from last year. Much warmer, indeed, than I had ever swum in (I don't think the Bethesda outdoor pool where I do Masters swimming during the summer was ever this warm).
The horn sounded and we were off. And I FELT AWFUL. I instantly regretted not swimming shirtless (I was in my sleeveless tri-shirt) and wished I was not wearing my swim cap. To my surprise, I found it very difficult to find a swimming rhythm. I was sweating and was having trouble with my breathing due to the hot water. I found myself breaststroking much more often than normal (that is, not just when I was having trouble sighting). The air temp was a bit cooler than the water which made my goggles fog up a little. In a word, I was miserable.
I eventually reached the turn buoy. I was feeling sluggish and had a sinking feeling about how I would perform the rest of the race. At least, I was slowly finding a swim rhythm. I guess my body was finally adjusting to the water, now that the swim portion was half way over. My sighting got better and I was able to see the yellow flags that marked the end of the swim course. But every time I looked up after swimming those flags did not seem to be getting any closer. What? I was swimming downstream (not that there was any current in the James), but it felt like I was swimming backwards!. By now, I had passed a few swimmers from the wave in front of me, but was mostly surrounded by swimmers from the wave behind me. Oh well.
Mercifully, the flags finally got closer and closer. About 10 feet from the finish dock, I had to start breaststroking and finished the swim portion with that stroke. Climbed up the ladder, stumbled up the steps and headed off to transition.
My swim time was 28:34, 16 seconds slower than last year. My swim rank was 199 out of 403 overall, and 10 out of 26 for my age group (M45-49). Not too good and I was less than optimistic about my total race time.
T1
As I may have mentioned last year, T1 times at Rocketts Landing are pretty slow. You get out of the water and immediately have to run up a set of slippery wooden stairs leading from the dock. Then you cross over a set of train tracks (covered with carpet), across a plaza (where the post-race party will be held), then up a long flight of concrete steps to the road, then run along the road about a tenth of a mile to the transition area.
Found my bike, got on my helmet and cycling shoes, and headed out for the bike portion.
T1 time: 3:33, 22 seconds slower than last year. My T1 time was 278 out of 403 overall, and 18 out of 26 in my age group.
The Bike
I'd ridden my bike once since Eagleman in June. But I felt good and comfortable getting on the bike. I got into aero position and stayed in that position most of the race (except when fueling). I had my Clif Shot Blocks and stuck to my schedule of one shot block and one long drink of gatorade every 10 minutes. I think I'm finally getting the hang of selecting the correct gear to ride in. It was a good ride. I felt like I was kicking ass on the bike.
I passed way more bikes than passed me -- so I felt pretty good. Compared to the pancake flatness of Eagleman, the rolling hills at Rocketts seemed a bit more fun. Standing up into power position to pass cyclists on the uphill. Flying down the downhills. There is one particularly long hill as the course crosses over the Pocohontas Parkway, I hit 34 miles per hour -- that was fun!!
All too quickly, I hit the turnaround and headed back. Compared to 56 miles at Eagleman, 40K (or 24.8 miles) seemed like a cake walk. Before I knew it, I had passed the 20 mile mark and was heading into the home stretch of the course. It was around this point that I had my only panic attack on the bike. Up ahead, I could see a female triathlete running next to her bike (in triathlons, if your bike craps out -- for example, something goes wrong that you can't fix on the course -- it is legal to complete the bike course running, you just have to bring your bike with you). Anyhow, from the back her tri-shirt looked similar to Jordana's and I had a sinking feeling something happened to her on the bike. As I passed, whew, not Jordana!!
Next thing I knew, I was crossing the set of train tracks that meant less than a mile to dismount. "Those tracks really get you in the ass!" called out a cyclist next to me who was trying to pass me. "Yep" I said, as I sped up because I was not going to get passed in the final moments of the bike. Finished the bike, dismounted and ran into transition.
Bike Time: 1:14:59 -- four minutes faster than last year -- feeling good now! 180 out of 403 overall, 10 out of 26 for my age group. My average speed was 19.8 mph!! Faster bike time yet!!!
T2
Ran back into transition, re-racked my bike. Switched my cycling shoes for my running shoes. Helmet for running hat. Put on my garmin, grabbed a gu and headed out to the run.
T2 Time: 1:23 -- fifteen seconds faster than last year. 182 out of 403 overall, 9 out of 26 for my age group.
The Run
Surprisingly, my legs felt a bit rubbery as I started the 10K. I say surprisingly because at Eagleman, after having biked 56 miles, my legs felt great when I started the run. So I was a bit surprised that after only 24.8 miles, my legs felt this way. Perhaps, because I had not done much transition training in the intervening weeks.
Anyhow, I quickly noticed I was, like at Eagleman, passing runners left and right. Well not that often because there were a lot fewer participants in this race. However, I decided that I would have the same goal -- I would not let anyone pass me on the run. And for the second time, I met that goal. I continually passed runner after runner, including many who were duathletes (that meant instead of the swim, they had run an out and back 2 miles) who I would have thought would have been done. Speaking of that, the top finishers were crossing the starting line as I started the run!
I was familiar with the run course, so was ready for ALL THE STAIRS -- the stairs along the river walk, the stairs up and over the railroad tracks, and then repeat on the out and back. As hot as the water was, the air did not seem as hot as last year not has humid as at Eagleman. I was feeling pretty good on the run.
How many of you have seem the Splendiferous Barfing Cup on Facebook or YouTube? Raise your hands! As I crossed the bridge over the James on the way back, I got to see one runner do his own impression of the Barfing Cup, or as I like to call him the Barfing Runner. At first, I thought he was pouring a cup of water over his head as he bent over, but then I noticed that is alot of water for the small cups they were handing out. Then I realized that wasn't water. "You all right brother?" someone called out. Not hearing a "no" in response, we kept going.
I passed Jordana's three friends (who were all on their way out, as I was heading back). I felt a little bad when I passed Jordana's friend who was doing the tri. Before the race, Jordana said that she had three goals: (1) finish, (2) not finish last, and (3) finish in front of her friend. As an aside on goal number 2, "in every race, someone has to finish last" I said, "why shouldn't it be you or me?" It was meant in jest of course. Anyhow, back to the race. I felt a little disappointed that Jordana wouldn't beat her friend. Of course, I hadn't seen her since before the race and was beginning to wonder how she was doing.
At about the 5 mile mark for me (1 mile mark for the outbound runners), I see Jordana coming along the course. She raises her hand for a high-five. "Way to go sweetie" we call out to each other as we give each other high-fives. That was the best part of the race (next to the pre-race kiss)!! After the race, she told me that just after that exchange she turned to the woman running next to her and said "that's my husband."
Meanwhile, I was picking up the pace for the final mile, passing additional runners. The final quarter mile, the course leaves the road, crosses a number of train tracks and proceeds along a gravel road to the chute and then the finish. As I crossed the tracks I see a runner in front of me. I'm trying to read his age on his calf (remember, in tri's it's all about the age group). I'm trying to read it on his moving leg. 16? no, he's too old. 76? no, he's too young. I squint. 46. My age group. I kick it into high gear and pass him in the chute. I ended up finishing 2 seconds in front of him.
Run time: 42:53 -- over 2 minutes faster than last year. 32 out of 403 overall, and fastest run time for my age group. My average run pace was 6:55, faster for a tri. So I was very pleased.
Post-Race
My total race time was 2:31:20 -- a six minute PR over last year's Rocketts Landing. So I was feeling great. I finished 97 out of 403 overall (top 24%) (although I was in the top 18% last year).
Oh yeah, remember that 46 year old I passed in the chute? Good thing. I finished 3rd in my age group and received an age group award (plaque and water bottle)! Yay!!
Meanwhile, Jordana had a kick-ass 3:05:58 time, finishing 320 overall, 10th in her age group, and 3rd fastest first-time female triathlete! Oh yeah, she passed her friend on the run and accomplished all three of her goals. She even quipped when it was over -- that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I am one proud husband!!
We stuck around for the awards ceremony so I could get my age group award, then packed up our gear and headed home. Showered and changed at my relatives. Had a nice meal at Panera, then spent the drive back to DC re-living and analyzing the race. Jordana even started talking about how to improve on her NEXT tri!
I can't wait....
