Presque Isle Tri Review

The 2011 Presque Isle Tri was held this past weekend. I'm going to change up my report some and just highlight some things and post my times and places for each respective part of the race. As usual, you're welcome to comment and ask questions.

Swim: Hardest to date. 150 in wave all beating on one another. No clear water for the first 200 yards to the first bouy. Spent nearly every stroke taking a look to see where to go and also to find the bouy. Next 200 yds were fairly clear but I was gassed from the start. Felt like I stayed on course well despite being blinded by the sun and not being able to locate the next bouy.

Time: 12:17 (includes run from shore to transition area)
Overall Place: 98/349
Age Group: 8/21

T1: Transition went better than last two races. Wetsuit came off a lot quicker (could have been the BodyGlide I used on ankles). Ground was dirty so that was annoying.

Time: :54
Overall Place: 37/349
AG: 3/21

Bike: Got clipped in a lot better than in previous races. I haven't practiced this so I just got lucky I suppose. Lots of people to catch since I was so far back coming out of the water. Passed a number of people throughout the first 8-10 miles. After that only the "good guys (and gal)" were in front of me. Used a set of clip-on aerobars which I believe helped me to keep a better speed. Went back and forth with a guy for most of the bike segment before putting some time on him in the last few miles.

I was able to get out of my bike shoes towards the end of the ride which helped me in transition 2. See below.

Time: 32:52  (23.7mph average)
OA: 31/249
AG: 4/21

T2: Had a great transition. Didn't waste much time here. Noticed that the bike next to me was still 'out.' It was also gone when I had started the bike leg so I passed him somewhere.

Time: :32
OA: 8/349
AG: 1/21

Run: Took off on the run and it took some time to get my running legs. My goal was to get close to 6min pace for an average. I struggled to get there, but pushed on. I saw one guy just take off on the run. I believe he may have been 1st in my AG. Two others were in striking distance - one guy and one woman. I knew I had plenty of time to make a move on them so I took my time. I caught both of them shortly before the turnaround on the out and back course. The guy was in my AG and finished 3rd behind me. The woman finished 2nd overall in her race.

After getting by these two, I was on my own and all alone. I tried desperately to keep a strong pace whenever I noticed my avg pace slowing down. At first I was pretty bummed with my pace, but a closer look reveals this:

Results show a 6:41/mi pace.
Reported race distance of 3.5mi with my time comes to 6:30 pace.
My watch said 3.57mi and 6:20 pace.

More importantly were my mile splits. 6:27, 6:20, 6:13, 6:23. Pretty happy with that 3rd mile.

Time: 22:44
OA: 12/349
AG: 2/21

Overall: My initial feelings of the race were ones of disappointment. I had set a 'happy' goal of 1:08 and another goal of 1:06 that I felt was attainable. It's tough to set goals like that when you've never competed on the course. After having a few days to reflect on the race, I can't be too upset with it. I put in a good effort and learned a lot of things about this crazy sport.