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Discussion: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri
Subject: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Paul B. Written on: 2006-06-05 16:28:24 Message: Ok all-- I figure I owe this race report to all of you because, honestly, you guys were partly responsible for getting me to this point…mentally and physically. The race was the Lafayette YMCA sprint tri in Lafayette, IN this past Saturday (400 meter swim, 16.7 mile bike, 3.1 mile run.) The fact that it was in Indiana meant that I had to drive down from Madison to Chicago on Friday night, then from Chicago with 4 friends on Saturday morning at about 4:30am…ensuring I’d be well-rested for my first ever tri (hah). PRE-RACE: got a spot in the transition area, stumbled around like an idiot trying to figure out the best way to set up my stuff (in hindsight, I think I did OK). Shuffled over to the swim-start with everybody else, still toying with my goggles (an ominous sign). SWIM: The gun goes off, and chaos ensues. The entry-way to the water was too narrow, so everyone got bottlenecked together when we started…and we stayed that way the entire time. The course was a short triangle around two bouys in a small lake, and for the first half of it, I was adjusting my goggles (in truth, for the first half, the right eye of my goggles was filled with water.) I finally got somewhat into a groove on the last stretch, but only because I made for the outside of the pack and found a little open water. (400 meters: 7 minutes – all these times are approximate, as I forgot to hit the lap button on my watch, and we haven’t received the split times yet) T-1: I got out of the water feeling like I’d just survived the swim from a capsized boat. My legs felt heavy as I ran over to my transition area. I got down to business, and fumbled around a fair amount, but was finally off. (2 minutes) BIKE: off to a rough start as my frame-pump fell of my bike right out of the gates, and I had to double back, but after that it was great. The bike course was pretty hilly, but manageable, and gorgeous (by the way, the weather was perfect…about 72 degrees and sunny). I got into a groove and averaged about 19mph. The only guys that passed me (who hadn’t passed me in the water that is) were a couple of guys on $2000+ bikes, so I felt OK about it. Me and another racer got into a serious game of leapfrog for the last 8 miles or so, though. In the home stretch, he turned to me as I was passing him one last time and asked “how’s your run?” Unfortunately, I had to tell him the truth: “horrible, you’re going to smoke me” (16.7 miles: 51 minutes) T-2: Hopped off the bike and ran to my station. Shoes, helmet, sunglasses off; shoes and hat on in about 30 seconds (thanks EZ laces). And I was off. RUN: I felt like my heartrate was soaring, but I was feeling OK leg-wise. Kept a steady pace, but in retrospect, I could’ve pushed it a little harder. Got passed by one of my friends in the last 1.5 miles (all of them finished before me, so at least I got a nice cheering section when I came down the home stretch.) (3.1 miles: 27 minutes) POST-RACE: A little stretching, some food, and a whole lot of hanging out. My four friends and I hung around the race site until after they’d packed everything up…just enjoying the day, and talking about the race. The general consensus was that this was a blast…we’re currently planning our next race for sometime in the next few weeks. I’m hooked. RESULTS: Total time: 1:27:32. Overall: 35 of 89. Agegroup: 12 of 20. Thanks everybody for your support and your help in getting me here (50 lbs lighter and a whole heckuva lot faster.) You guys have been so great. . Paul.
Subject: RE: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Jael A. Written on: 2006-06-05 17:12:07 Message: Paul, we thought your story would never finally come to us! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! You did great for your first race. I loved the swimming story! Jael
Subject: RE: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Dan W. Written on: 2006-06-05 17:23:32 Message: Awesome, Paul - thanks for letting us know! This is a fun story to read. It sounds like you and your friends had a great time. I had to laugh at your "pre-race" commentary - it sounds too familiar. You posted some pretty healthy times all around...great results! Glad to hear your'e hooked! And 50 lbs less of you? That's incredible! Again, great job Paul - best wishes for continued success - keep us posted! Congrats, dan
Subject: RE: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Andrew S. Written on: 2006-06-05 17:45:49 Message: It's about damn time you run a race Paul! All your posts on here I'd just about thought you were an elite Great job man, those swim starts are hairy aren't they? The first one's over now bud....what's next for ya? Andy.
Subject: RE: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Paul B. Written on: 2006-06-05 17:54:43 Message: Thanks guys...and andy, I think i may have succeeded in hitting my goal: most pre-first-race-posts ever.
Subject: RE: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-05 19:27:46 Message: Paul, Glad you enjoyed your first race. Thanks for the story. Ron
Subject: RE: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Leo d. Written on: 2006-06-06 12:26:23 Message: Paul, Congrats. Reading all these race reports is really starting to drive me nuts. I have been training for 6 months now and have to wait two more for my first tri.Loved your RR and I hope my experience will be just as good as yours! Leo D.
Subject: RE: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Steven R. Written on: 2006-06-06 12:37:53 Message: Great Job !
Subject: RE: Newbie Race Report -- Lafayette YMCA sprint tri By: Andy M. Written on: 2006-06-06 13:16:53 Message: Great Job Paul!! Memories for a lifetime.
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